By Michael Lee, Singapore Turf Club
Debutant High Water sealed a successful start to the partnership between Hong Kong owner Kwok Chun Wai and trainer Mark Walker on Saturday.
The three-time Singapore champion trainer said he actually knew Mr Kwok from New Zealand where he owned horses and broodmares as well as in Australia.
Incidentally, Mr Kwok enjoyed a Group 1 win in New Zealand on the same day with Noverre in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. He is part of the Te Akau 2020 Stallion Breeding Syndicate that races the three-year-old Savabeel colt.
Following the memorable day, Walker hoped it could herald the expansion of Mr Kwok’s ownership base at Kranji.
“I’ve known Mr Kwok for a long time in New Zealand. He owns horses in both New Zealand and Australia,” said Walker.
“Today he won the New Zealand 2000 Guineas with a horse he has shares in. High Water won on the same day, it’s great for him.
“I hope he will send more horses to me from now on.”
Walker said High Water showed ability in his work, and was expecting a good run from the Rubick four-year-old even if he was apprehending the 1000m of the $20,000 Open Maiden event.
“His work has been good. He trialled on Tuesday week, but I didn’t gallop him this week as he was going over 1000m,” he said
“He got the run of the race and all the favours from barrier one. I think he’ll be a bit better over more ground but he got a good ride from Jerlyn (Seow Poh Hui).”
Walker’s female apprentice jockey turned in a copybook ride scraping paint throughout while settling the grey off the speed set by another newcomer Gold Cut (Shafiq Rizuan) and never going around another runner.
As Gold Cut rolled off the rails at the 300m, Seow duly punched her mount through the gap. A titanic battle between the two debutant ensued with a determined High Water ($25) creeping up underneath a tenacious Gold Cut to get his neck in front on the line.
Konan (Louis-Philippe Beuzelin) took third place another length away. The winning time was 59.42secs for the 1000m on the Polytrack.
