KING ARTHUR scores his 2nd Singapore win at Kranji race course 27th November
KING ARTHUR produced a “regal” performance at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse on the last day of the Singapore 2021 racing season, when taking out the Class 4 1200m Polytrack event, scoring his 2nd career win from 10 starts. KING ARTHUR, a 4yo Gelding by I am Invincible out of Pentasia, had drawn wide and was always going to need a touch of luck from the draw. Rider K Hakim, Singapore’s leading Apprentice Rider, had his mount away well from the jump, but then eased in the hope of finding a spot one out from the rail, however that was not to be and horse and rider had to endure a 3 wide trip. Looming on the turn however, KING ARTHUR showed a good turn of foot in the run home and certainly appeared as if he would gather in the leader Renzo – that horse was in for the fight however and Hakim and KING ARTHUR needed to make one last lunge to take out the race by a head margin on the line. Click HERE to see the race replay.
KING ARTHUR is trained by Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker, who secured his 4th Singapore Premiership with 67 wins – this on top of the 5 Premiership wins he secured in his native New Zealand before relocating to Singapore in 2010.
Fortuna boss, John Galvin, watching the race from his New Zealand home (Hamilton) was an excited man during the run and certainly after the race. “Arthur had me up and out of my chair the last 300 metres I can certainly tell you that – although caught 3 wide from his difficult draw, Hakim had him in a good rhythm in the run and I could see after turning that he was going to be strong to the line and so it proved. Great for the horse, great for his crew of owners here in New Zealand and Australia. I take my my hat off to Mark Walker, who has now won 9 training Premierships in 2 different jurisdictions – Mark and I have been working together since 2003, when he trained my 1st winner for me (Kapsdan) and we have developed a great working relationship over the years. Full marks to Hakim also for producing a great ride on Arthur – Hakim has ridden many winners for us in 2020 and 2021 and he has now secured both the Singapore Apprentice Premiership as well as the overall Jockey’s Premiership, the first time that has been done in over 25 years.”
“King Arthur” – wins at Kranji 27 November 2021 – picture courtesy of SG Racing
KING ARTHUR’S victory capped a remarkable 2021 for the Fortuna NZ Stable in 2021, with 19 individual wins from 9 stable horses, including the 6 time winner Entertainer (Zouster), a significant contribution to Mark Walkers 67 wins season wins and propelling the Fortuna NZ Stable to 2nd position on the Singapore Owners Table.
Trainer Mark Walker was reflective after securing his 4th Singapore Premiership “It is a great privilege to win these titles but it is not all about me – I have a great team behind me and a great crew of owners, with John Galvin’s Fortuna Stable now being our major supporter here in Singapore with 14 horses in the stable and 3 more arriving soon. John is the perfect syndicator, he knows how to put the syndicates together and communicate with his clients and then lets me get on with the job of training the horses – we have a great combination”
Hakim returning to scale on King Arthur – picture courtesy of SG Racing
KING ARTHUR was purchased by John Galvin out of the October 2020 Inglis Digital Sale for A$25,000 and is raced by the Fortuna King Arthur Syndicate, an ownership group of 31 individuals from New Zealand and Australia. From 10 starts in Singapore, he has now accumulated S$76,000 with 2 wins and 5 minor placings