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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Back to trans-Tasman transmission for Walker
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • January 31st, 2025 5:02 pm
Mark Walker (right) with New Zealand training partner Sam Bergerson | Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Following a busy week in Auckland, it’s back to business as usual for Mark Walker, with the Te Akau trainer heading back across the Tasman to oversee his Cranbourne base.
Walker has racked up plenty of frequent flyer points since Te Akau Racing established their Cranbourne operation in Victoria, and that is set to continue, with the respected horseman now having permanent residences on both sides of the Tasman.
“I have got a permanent house here (Cranbourne) and a permanent house in New Zealand,” he said.
“It works out really well as the carnivals don’t really clash. It is hard to quantity in percentage terms, but I will still be seen out and about in New Zealand.”
It’s been a busy week for Walker and Te Akau Racing, with New Zealand’s leading stable scoring a Karaka Millions double at Ellerslie last Saturday when La Dorada won the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Damask Rose took out the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).
Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis then retained his leading buyer crown at Karaka when purchasing 27 yearlings to go alongside his 21 purchases at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this month.
“It (Karaka Millions results) was great for Sam (Bergerson, New Zealand co-trainer) and the team,” Walker said. “I have been away a lot and Sam has really stepped up to the plate and has coped with the pressure well. It was really satisfying for the whole team.
“Both horses weren’t terribly expensive, one was $190,000 and the other was $200,000. There were a lot of very happy owners there, so it was good.
“It’s pretty exciting with the yearlings that Dave and the whole team have put together. We are excited about their prospects. From the yearlings from the Gold Coast plus Karaka, I think it is the best group of yearlings I have ever seen.”
Walker is hoping the stable can continue their good run into the weekend where they will have stakes representation on both sides of the Tasman.
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In Australia, Group One winner Quintessa will be first-up in the Gr.3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Sandown, while Group Three performer It’s Business Time will make her Australian debut in the John Moule Handicap (1200m).
“Quintessa won first-up in the spring and then struck wet tracks and nothing went right,” Walker said.
“We are looking forward to seeing her back at the races. Whether she can win over 1200m, I am not sure. She did last prep but being that bit older she might be better off second-up at 1400m.
“It’s Business Time came over in the spring and got an eye injury, which required time out. It has taken a bit longer to get her back to the races, but we are certainly looking forward to seeing her run.
“She has got to carry a big weight (60kg), that is our only concern. We felt we would use Blake (Shinn, jockey) and get his experience and wisdom, and we then know where we are at with her.”
Back in New Zealand, exciting juvenile Return To Conquer will be out to continue his unbeaten record in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie, where he will be joined by stablemate Dare to Proisir.
“Return To Conquer is a very high-class colt with a great brain on him. He is an exciting prospect,” Walker said.
“Dare to Proisir didn’t have everything go right last start but he hit the line well. He is not there making up the numbers, that’s for sure.”
Later on the card, Cognito will attempt to add to his stakes record in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), a race he placed in two years ago.
“It is a pity about the draw (14), which makes it tough,” Walker said. “We have just got to ride him back and hopefully they run along and then we can be finishing strongly.”
Further south, at New Plymouth, Walker will be keeping a close watch on the weather ahead of Midnight Blue’s attempt at the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m), while Crown Princess will contest the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m).
“It will be a bit of a weather watch there with Midnight Blue,” Walker said. “He only runs on dry ground, so we have got to work out what the weather is doing.
“I think Crown Princess is a good chance. 1800m will be really good for her.”
