Two Sunday Singapore Wins

Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker continued his domination of the season with not one but two further wins at Kranji tonight with Chase and Dane's Anatomy saluting the judge.  

Fine Choice, a South Island sale purchase, was super on debut too when second in the $90,000 2YO feature.  Costing $21,000 the Coat's Choice gelding has now won his purchase price back from just one start and looks to have an exciting future - change his draw, you change the result!

So three wins for the weekend - all purchased by David Ellis.  The Singapore Turf Club reports on the first -

Sunday's Novice race over 1200m lived up to its billing as a tight contest, though it probably did not unveil the winner most had on their shortlist.

Back from a four-month spell, Chase had served notice of his ability at his first prep with a last-start win from four outings, but the general consensus was the Nicconi three-year-old would need both more time and ground and might have his work cut out against the likes of stablemate Catch Me Great, Red Dawn, last-start winner Shanghai Bund and impressive debut winners Lizaz and Elusive.

Nobody had told Chase as he came blowing everybody out of the water with a withering run not many had seen coming, not even his trainer Mark Walker.

Chase (Shafiq Rizuan) coming from behind and beats Mr Fantastic (Mohd Firdaus Mansor) by a short head in Race 3 on Sunday. 

Even the initial stages had him passing almost unnoticed. Seeing them all from the start, it would have taken a brave man to tip him at the top of the straight as he was still in the same spot and little galloping room to manoeuvre around.

Race-leader Rikioh (Troy See) was still in the driving seat 300m out, but his weary legs soon became apparent as the swoopers came knocking the door open. Mr Fantastic (Mohd Firdaus) was the first springing onto the scene as he swept Red Dawn with a stout finish.

That was when Chase suddenly popped up from nowhere after ducking and weaving behind runners in search of daylight. Once he found it, he dashed through to pip Mr Fantastic by a short head.

Red Dawn (John Powell), who was back from a four-month spell, did a good job to run third another three-quarter length away. The winning time was 1min 10.61secs on the Short Course.

The win keeps Walker up on an upward spiral, consolidating his top spot on the Singapore trainer's premiership on 26 wins, which he later extended to 27 with Dane's Anatomy (Craig Newitt) in the next race, a $35,000 Maiden race over 1200m.

“I thought he would run a forward race, but probably not win as he needs more ground, but the Short Course D suited him and he was fresh,” said Walker.

“He had a quiet trial and is a really progressive sort of horse who's already won over a mile here. Shafiq gave him a great ride backing him off as the ones in front cut each others' throats and they got the last run on them.

“Even though his sire is a sprinter, he looks the type who will get better over more ground. David Ellis bought him out of the Ready-To-Run sale in Karaka.”

Walker will see how Chase pulls through and then decide if he can join his top duo of Jimmy Rea and Ready To Strike for the upcoming Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge which kicks off with the Group 3 Dester Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 29.

“At this stage, I may skip the first Leg, but I'll see how this one pulls up,” said Walker.

“He's probably more of a Guineas horse, but he'll need one more run before I make any future plans for him.”

Just back from a long suspension, Shafiq, who was at his second winner after booting home his 100^th winner, Secret Spice, last Friday week, said he knew Chase had a winning chance halfway through the race.

“I rode him at his barrier trial and I just thought it was okay as he's more of a miler,” said Shafiq.

“There was a lot of speed in the race, but he got on the bit halfway through the race and at the 800m he just took off.   The leaders were coming back to me and once I got the split, he just quickened up. I think he enjoyed running fresh-up.”