A turning point may have been reached in the Singapore trainer’s premiership after Mark Walker opened up a commanding break with a winning treble on Friday night.
The New Zealander, who claimed the title two years ago, leapt to his 61st win after Prince Darci, Justice Light (both favourites at $13 and $8 respectively) and Lim’s Regard ($12 second favourite) wrapped up a prolific night for him.
His closest rival and reigning Singapore champion trainer Alwin Tan had a blank day, including favourite Nova Swiss falling by the wayside again, and remains on 39 winners.
Lim's Regard (Glen Boss) brings up a second consecutive win in the last race on Friday, picture Singapore Turf Club
Walker, who had his mother visiting him at Kranji, was on hand for the first two winners in the $35,000 Class 5 race over 1800m and the $38,000 Kranji Stakes D race over 1200m, but did not head down for the picture when Lim’s Regard closed out the night in the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1400m.
Ridden by Glen Boss, his winning partner at his last start in a Restriced Maiden race, Lim’s Regard stamped his authority when he finished hard on the outside to defeat Humdinger (Nooresh Juglall) by a neck with Taichi Belt (Matthew Kellady) third by an identical margin. The winning time was 1min 23.45secs for the 1400m on the Long Course.
Assistant-trainers Gus Clutterbuck and Robbie Hewitson were the ones to do the leading-in duties for their third victor for the night.
“This is a very nice horse. He is improving all the time, and he’s so relaxed,” said Clutterbuck of the Lim’s Stable’s second winner for the night after Lim’s Sparkle (trained by Steven Burridge) earlier.
“He is by a sprinting family being by Red Giant but from the way he runs, I think he can get over more ground.
“The stable is doing very well. On their last runs, you had to give tonight’s three winners a chance.
“Luck is also important, especially with the barriers. Both Justice Light (5) and Lim’s Regard (3) drew well in their sprint races.
“And Vlad Duric rode Justice Light very positive and so did Glen on Lim’s Regard. May the good run continue.”
