Racing: Singapore swings for NZ trainer

Corsage is thriving in Singapore. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Mark Walker knows he's on the verge of something pretty good in Singapore.

Actually, that should read, on the verge of something better.

On the second-biggest raceday of the year in Singapore on Sunday, Walker produced two winners at his first target meeting of his new base and but for rain he feels it might have been an even more magical night.

"This is the first target race meeting I've had in the couple of months I've been here and we set for this raceday 12 months ago," said the New Zealander after winning with Rio Fortune and Corsage.

Walker produced Tell A Tale to finish second to Risky Business and Glen Boss in the $1 million Singapore Gold Cup.

"The rain turned the track into what would be described as a slow surface in New Zealand and that didn't help Tell A Tale, neither did a check in the home straight from the third horse.

"That said, the winner won well."

Vlad Duric was suspended for the interference caused to Tell A Tale.

Duric did the Te Akau Stables more of a favour when he rode Corsage to win the $49,000 Kindness Stakes (1400m) and a race earlier Rio Fortune took the $57,000 Humanity Stakes over 1200m.

"But for the rain it could have been a miracle day," said Walker.

All that a day after Te Akau took the $300,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton with King's Rose and the Welcome Stakes with Bespoke.

Walker says he expects a big future for Rio Fortune and Corsage in their new home.

"Rio Fortune was a Listed winner in New Zealand at two and again at three, so he's no mug. and I can't believe how much forward Corsage has gone since being in Singapore.

"There's not a huge mare's presence here and I think her form will open up a new market for us."

The former New Zealand trainer believes that although Tell A Tale might sometimes find one or two of the Singapore horses stiff competition, he will hold his own.

"There'll be a nice race for him here somewhere.

"The top horses here are up to good weight-for-age form anywhere - they're good horses."

Walker says he hasn't had one horse that hasn't thrived since arriving from New Zealand.

"If anything, you have to restrict their feed a bit, they do too well."

MARK WALKER

* The former Matamata trainer had a magical turn on his first big night.

* Walker won with Rio Fortune and Corsage on Sunday night.

* Tell A Tale finished second in the $1 million Singapore Gold Cup.