Viviano (No. 4)
Singapore Turf Club
If there was a vote for the thriller of the day, the blanket finish between four horses in Race 9 would win hands-down, with Viviano the victor in an epic battle.
Viviano, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old by Keeper, settled in a handy spot in the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1400m, but with Cyborg going up and down on the one spot after he finally found galloping room at the 300m, the race looked to be well in the keeping of the Cliff Brown pair of Hades (Corey Brown) and Intense Gold (Syafiq Hazman).
Winning trainer Mark Walker said Viviano was a horse who had always exhibited a certain dose of ability from Day 1, but was just not fully furnished to realise his true potential. From that second win in a row following the last one in a 1200m race in similar Class 3 company a fortnight ago, it would seem the Raffles Racing Stable-owned galloper has finally hit his straps.
"He's a horse who's had a frustrating run of near placings by coming from the back, but he's got a lot stronger now. The owners have been very patient with him," said the reigning Singapore champion trainer.
"He looks like he will get over more distance as well."
Currently trailing Alwin Tan by six winners in the Singapore trainer's standings, Walker said the slight loss of steam in recent months was due to a reason that was beyond his control – relocation - and that his fearsome machine should be back firing very soon.
"Things are picking up slowly. I think the move to a temporary stable while our barn is renovated has disrupted the training programme of the horses a little," he opined.
"We should be back in our stable in August and I think things will improve in August-September."
With that fifth win, Viviano has now banked more than $160,000 in prizemoney for the Raffles Racing Stable's Dato Yap Kim San. - STC
Viviano, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old by Keeper, settled in a handy spot in the $80,000 Class 3 race over 1400m, but with Cyborg going up and down on the one spot after he finally found galloping room at the 300m, the race looked to be well in the keeping of the Cliff Brown pair of Hades (Corey Brown) and Intense Gold (Syafiq Hazman).
Winning trainer Mark Walker said Viviano was a horse who had always exhibited a certain dose of ability from Day 1, but was just not fully furnished to realise his true potential. From that second win in a row following the last one in a 1200m race in similar Class 3 company a fortnight ago, it would seem the Raffles Racing Stable-owned galloper has finally hit his straps.
"He's a horse who's had a frustrating run of near placings by coming from the back, but he's got a lot stronger now. The owners have been very patient with him," said the reigning Singapore champion trainer.
"He looks like he will get over more distance as well."
Currently trailing Alwin Tan by six winners in the Singapore trainer's standings, Walker said the slight loss of steam in recent months was due to a reason that was beyond his control – relocation - and that his fearsome machine should be back firing very soon.
"Things are picking up slowly. I think the move to a temporary stable while our barn is renovated has disrupted the training programme of the horses a little," he opined.
"We should be back in our stable in August and I think things will improve in August-September."
With that fifth win, Viviano has now banked more than $160,000 in prizemoney for the Raffles Racing Stable's Dato Yap Kim San. - STC