Walker Wins at Warrnambool

Te Akau trainer Mark Walker is celebrating his first ever Warrnambool runner in the famed Australian carnival coming home a winner!

Improved on his last start jumps assignment, Leaderboard (9 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy, by Dynaformer) won the A$50,000 Maiden Hurdle (3200m) on the first day of the Warrnambool Carnival in Victoria.

Owned by Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), Leaderboard was purchased in October 2018 at the Tattersalls Sale in U.K., and the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) winner of last year, with eight wins, has earnings over $400,000.

Unpressured to close the margin for fourth in a trial on 14 March at Taupo, Leaderboard was given a hurdle trial on 3 April after arriving in the Te Akau Stables at Cranbourne (Victoria), and jumped well finishing second when resuming in the Maiden Hurdle (3200m) on 14 April at Pakenham.

Ridden again by former New Zealand Champion Jumps Jockey of the Year Aaron Kuru, Leaderboard was beautifully spotted in fourth, never missed a beat with a fine display of jumping, and after putting it to race favourite Irish Butterfly (O’Reilly) at the 600m he proceeded to draw clear over the last hurdle at the 400m for an easy win by three and three-quarter lengths.

“It will be a huge thrill for Mark (Walker), it’s his first runner at the Warrnambool Carnival and his first winner,” Kuru said.

“We’re all extremely proud what he and the Te Akau team have done over here, so congratulations.

“I thought we had a kind time throughout (the race) and we were going pretty steady. I knew I had a good galloper underneath me and his jumping was really good today.

“I had a lot in reserve, but he’s a bit tricky this horse and can pull up if he hits the front too soon. I was there (in front) a long way from home and hoping I could get him across the line.

“He’s such a good galloper and I knew I just had to use that to my strengths. Fair play to the horse, he’s done a great job today.”

In the race sponsored by Choices Flooring Warrnambool, Leaderboard, who won a hurdle trial before his debut in role last season and had a good record at two miles, ran 3200m in 3:46.2 on Soft6 footing and drifted in betting to pay $6.40 & $1.70 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It’s a great thrill to win with our first runner at the Warrnambool Carnival, and John and Jessica (Galvin) and their owners are terrific supporters of the stable,” Walker said.

“He’s been a great old horse, to win a Wellington Cup and now a Maiden Hurdle at such a prestigious carnival.

“He’s got a very bright future in the jumps' role and it’s a great thrill to have won the race. I’ve always loved jumps' racing and hopefully it can continue to be well supported in New Zealand.”

At the time of purchase, Galvin said: “I asked (bloodstock agent) Hubie de Burgh to find a European bred stayer that had a typical pedigree and the type that could turn into a cups' horse down here (New Zealand). So, he went to the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale and picked him out. We had a budget of 70 to 80,000 Guineas and we got him for the budget.”

On course soaking up the unique atmosphere that Warrnambool offers, Galvin said: “There are over 50 owners in this horse, but I’m the only man standing here today.

“First time to Warrnambool and it’s a fantastic carnival, so it’s a pleasure to be here.

“We had a degree of confidence. He’s a lovely galloper and jumper and he’ll get better over the bigger jumps, I think. So today was a wee bit of a test, but he took no prisoners out there.

“It’s always good when you leg-up Aaron (Kuru), you always know we’ve got a good chance.”

Asked about Melody Belle (Commands), who also raced in the Fortuna colours, and set a NZ domestic record of 14 Group One wins, Galvin said: “She was the horse of a lifetime, really, and while Leaderboard is in a different category it’s still such a big thrill.

“Mark (Walker) loves his jumpers and will also be pretty excited about this.”

His sire Street Cry (Machiavellian) also left Winx, world record holder of 25 Group One races, Champion US mare Zenyatta, Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, and Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, so stamina runs in the blood and Leaderboard has his share.

Leaderboard became the fifth winner for Te Akau and Fortuna Racing in the past 16 days, following Malborough Bay (Darci Brahma) last Saturday at Te Rapa.

Leaderboard was strapped by Hailey Morton.

Photo credit - www.nzracingnews.co.nz