Major Tom
Singapore Turf Club
Trainer Mark Walker paid Major Tom (NZ) 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, 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 rave 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 was 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.
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, 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 rave 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 was 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.