Racing: Jockey faces up to stable's trial

Maybe New Zealand racing has come of age.

As good as Michael Walker is in the saddle, he knows he's on trial when his big-race mounts step out on to the Te Rapa track this afternoon after a two-month stand-down with a broken wrist.

He knows it's not a given that he will be riding class act Darci Brahma in the A$1 million Australian Cadbury Guineas in Melbourne next month.

Te Akau Stable boss David Ellis has told him that.

And that is regardless of whether Darci Brahma wins today's group one $100,000 Waikato Draught Sprint - which he is confidently expected to do.

It has to do with when Walker rode fulltime in Melbourne, returned to New Zealand suddenly, then appeared on television here declaring he had taken drugs during his time riding in Australia.

Domestically, that has been well and truly dealt with and essentially forgotten, but Walker has not been to Melbourne since and has not spoken to chief stipendiary steward Des Gleeson.

Gleeson must have some sensitivity about the television statements.

Walker said yesterday that he had written to Des Gleeson.

"I've always got on well with Des Gleeson. He has helped me a lot.

"I covered the subject when I wrote to him. I summed it up. I believe I've put it to rest."

More immediately, Walker has to concentrate on today and not only getting Darci Brahma over the line, but also Shikoba in the group two $100,000 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic.

It was not being able to ride Shikoba that hurt Walker the most, because he was sitting on the sideline and providing television comments when she won the $100,000 Eight Carat Classic and $100,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes at the Ellerslie holiday carnival.

It was more painful, he said, than watching Lisa Cropp replace him on Zarius to win the $200,000 Speights City Of Auckland Cup.

Walker on television tipped Shikoba to win the fillies' races and watched with regret.

Indicating his growing maturity, the 21-year-old jockey produced a remarkable first-up effort on television over the carnivals, just as badly injured rider Mark Sweeney has done on the morning programme, The First Call.

Because of his enforced absence through injury, Walker has lost the $600,000 Skycity Auckland Cup ride on Zarius to Lisa Cropp.

"The owner, Mr Emery, wants Lisa on again and that's his call."

Walker has a chance to square that a little with Te Akau stable runner Distinctly Secret in today's $100,000 Whakanui Stud International.

No one is riding better than Lisa Cropp right now and some of her efforts have been remarkable.

But her ride on Distinctly Secret in the Trentham Stakes last start, when she allowed him to drop four lengths off the second-last horse until late in the race and finished fourth, beaten a neck, has everyone shaking their heads. Even the stipendiary stewards.

Winning the group one double with Distinctly Secret and Darci Brahma would be seen by Walker as making a statement. He got his eye in with a handful of rides at Ellerslie on Wednesday and said he can't wait for this raceday with his pain-free hand.

He is taking the issue of Melbourne professionally.

"I'm stable rider for Te Akau and it's their decision.

"I've shown I'm fit and I've shown I've got my weight down," said Walker.

"All I can do is do the job right in New Zealand and hope they take me to Melbourne."

Having a suggestion of being on trial in horse racing is good as it lifts all the standards.

We can only hope Michael Walker is seen by Te Akau as having already lifted his standards beyond any question that he should head to Australia.

New Zealand racing took its biggest hit when Xcellent went amiss mid-week. There was confidence in the camp and in Australia that he could lift the Australian Cup in Melbourne.

It would be marvellous if Darci Brahma could fill the breach in the Cadbury Guineas.

And even more marvellous if Michael Walker made it an all-Kiwi victory by being in the saddle.

Be watching this afternoon, it may well have an impact on that.