Trainer Mark Walker paid Major Tom a huge compliment when he described the Sunday winner as “above average” following his sizzling victory in the $65,000 Initiation race over 1400m.
Already knocking on the door for a while, the Darci Brahma three-year-old left his 11 rivals reeling when a saloon passage presented itself at the top of the straight.
Lengthening up under Shafiq Rizuan’s urgings, Major Tom opened up to a commanding break and by the 200m was well clear as he went on to hit the line 1 ¾-length clear of the fast-finishing newcomer Chalaza (Danny Beasley) with Mr Exchequer (Matthew Kellady) boxing on well for third place another 2 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 1min 22.86secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.
Major Tom (Shafiq Rizuan) skips clear at his maiden win on Sunday.
Major Tom, whose final quote was $10, has been a steady improver at his first three starts, especially the last one when he stormed home for second to Makanani in a Restricted Maiden race over 1400m three weeks ago.
“He’s a promising horse who has kept improving with every run, especially when he will get over a mile,” said the 2015 Singapore champion trainer.
“He is well above average, and I will now run him in a Novice race over 1400m.
“The Three-Year-Old series is something I have in mind for him, but he will skip the first Leg and go for the second Leg instead.”
Walker was referring to the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge which kicks off with the Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint (1200m) on March 26 followed by the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) on April 14 and the Group 1 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on May 14.
The race he has pencilled in for Major Tom next is a Novice race over 1400m on March 12.
Shafiq said the race became a simple formality the moment he had the leading duo in his sights from a long way out.
“He drew one and had an ideal run behind the two horses. When they came off the rails, he just quickened through for a very easy win,” said Shafiq.
“It was my first time riding him in a race but I know him well as I rode him at his first barrier trials last year, and he always showed ability.”
Raced by the Fortuna NZ Racing Stable of John Galvin, Major Tom is a three-year-old by Darci Brahma out of the Spinning World mare Spin ‘N Grin.
