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While the yard is already firing on all cylinders in the first quarter to the 2013 season, trainer Mark Walker is packing even more firepower this Sunday with the Kranji debut of a New Zealand Group 1 winner.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Newcomer Southern Lord goes into the $65,000 Graduation race (1200m) on Polytrack with the rare distinction of having won his last race at Group 1 level before being shipped to Singapore.
A previous one-time winner as a juvenile, the Australian-bred three-year-old by Golden Slipper winner Stratum concluded his New Zealand eight-start career in the most auspicious way when he recorded a come-from-behind win in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Otaki last November.
Following a short break after that resounding win, Southern Lord joined Walker’s stables last December, but will carry on racing in the same New Zealand connections, his previous handler Alan Tait, a former leading Kiwi jockey who has turned his hand to training on a small-scale basis.
“I know Alan very well as we used to train at the same track at Matamata,” said Walker. “The deal to send the horse to me was already made before he won his last race.
“Alan is more of a hobby owner-trainer as he specialises more in selling horses than training them. He saw an opportunity for this horse to race in Singapore and it’s the first he’s sent to me.”
Walker said the gelding’s first race at Kranji would give an indication about his chances of racing in the upcoming Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge, which kicks off with the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 31.
“He’s settled in well. Whatever he does on Sunday, he’ll improve on,” said Walker.
“He’s a bit of an unknown quantity on the Polytrack, though, but he’s trialled very well on it, especially last Tuesday. He’s had two trials since he came to us following a freshen-up in New Zealand.
“He’s a pretty laid-back type of horse as he doesn’t do too much on the tracks, but he obviously turns it on on raceday.
“He’s a 1200m-1600m type and I think the 1200m trip is ideal first-up. Obviously, the 3YO series is his main target, but it will basically depend on how he goes on Sunday and how he pulls up.”
Other than Southern Lord, Walker saddles 15 other runners this weekend, equally split up between Friday’s and Sunday’s meetings, with the likes of the consistent Golden Sand Steed and last-start winners Alpha Centauri and Browne’s Anatomy all in with realistic chances of extending his lead (on 21 winners, six clear of 2010 champion Steven Burridge) in the Singapore trainer’s premiership.
Now at his third full season in Singapore, Walker, a previous five-time New Zealand champion trainer, dismisses any title talks at such an early stage, and would rather enjoy the fruits of his labour.
“When I first came here three years ago, I had to make do with mostly second-hand horses,” he explained. “I did my best with those who were good enough.
“We then bought yearlings, and we had to wait for another two years for them to start to race. That’s why we are getting the results now.
“Really, I haven’t done anything different with my horses. I just have fresher and better horses.
“It’s nice to be on top, but my main objective is to win as many races as possible and keep my owners happy. It’s really nice to see horses running well at the moment.”
While Walker is banking on this weekend’s team to keep his momentum going, he will not lose any sleep if they come up short.
“I’ve got some good chances this weekend. Alpha Centauri and Browne’s Anatomy won at their last starts, and I think they can win again, but I won’t be disappointed if they don’t,” said Walker.
But one runner who let down his connections and punters alike at his last run was former Singapore star Better Than Ever’s half-brother [n]OM, who will be looking to redeem himself in the $65,000 Initiation Division 1 race over 1200m on Polytrack on Friday.
Backed down to $8 favouritism, the three-year-old son of Darci Brahma out of Songfest overraced a little with the addition of blinkers and despite racing handy, failed to quicken to miss the placings for the first time in three runs in a 1200m event over turf three weeks ago.
“Maybe it was because he was on a quick back-up, but he was a bit disappointing at his last run,” said Walker.
“I think he’s more of a grass horse. But with the closing of the turf track, it would have been too long in between runs.
“I had no choice but to run him on Polytrack, but I think he will go all right as he works well on it. I still think he’s got a nice future here.”