Racing: Million dollar viewing on Taupo turf

By MIKE DILLON

If you had happened onto the Taupo racecourse yesterday morning, you would have seen several million dollars.

But you would have had to have known you were looking at four of New Zealand's finest gallopers - Distinctly Secret, Maroofity, King's Chapel and veteran sprinter Fritz.

The quartet were taken from Matamata to Taupo by trainer Mark Walker for the opportunity to gallop on a firm surface.

"It brings them on a lot better in their preparation," said Walker.

Distinctly Secret's spring campaign includes another look at the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

At his first attempt at 3200m, Distinctly Secret finished a gallant sixth to Media Puzzle in last year's Melbourne Cup.

He failed to find his best form during the autumn campaign that followed, but Walker is unconcerned.

"He struck wet tracks here in New Zealand then travelled badly to Melbourne before we axed his campaign," he said.

"He looks a better horse now even compared to last spring. There's a lot more strength about him."

Walker is considering beginning Distinctly Secret's racing preparation with a restricted open race at Taupo early in the new season.

Maroofity is certain to be announced the champion juvenile at the Mercedes awards dinner in two weeks after cleaning up both group one Sires Produce races at Manawatu and Ellerslie.

"He had one month off after the Sires at Ellerslie and he's been back in training since May 5, so he's reasonably forward," said Walker.

Maroofity will resume racing in the $200,000 Mudgway Partsworld Stakes, the first leg of the $1 million triple crown at Hastings.

Like Distinctly Secret, he will first have a run at the Te Teko trials on August 5.

His speedy juvenile stablemate King's Chapel had a two-month spell after failing in wet conditions in the autumn.

"He will have the two three-year-old races at Hastings as a lead-up to the Hawkes Bay Guineas," said Walker.

King's Chapel's seasonal targets are the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton and the Bayer Classic and Walker is confident the speedster can successfully manage the step up to 1600m.

"I know he's won all his races in front, but he came from the back of the field to win his barrier trials and I'm sure he'll relax well enough for the 1600m."

Fritz was transferred to Walker's stable from the South Island to cut back on the travelling to the north for weight-for-age races.

He is rising nine, but Walker says you wouldn't know it.

"He's really perky - there's a fair bit of life in him yet from what he's shown me."

Fritz will have his first start for Walker in a progressive 1200m at Hastings on July 31. There are no certainties in horse racing, but the big-winning Fritz looks a good thing with a maximum topweight of 58.5kg.

He sneaks in the race because he has not won for more than a year.