Fulton Flying for Walker & NZ Ready to Run
19 September 2011
Kiwi trainer Mark Walker achieved a significant milestone in Singapore last night with Flying Fulton securing his first Singapore stakes win in the Sgp-3 Committee's Prize (1600m).
Sent out favourite for the feature, Flying Fulton (Flying Spur x Fulton) was simply too good for his rivals over the 1600 metres, taking the lead at the 200 metre mark and racing home well to win by a length, with the New Zealand bred Singapore Derby winner Clint back in third place.
New Zealand's five-time Champion Trainer, Walker was thrilled to pick up his first Singapore black-type win.
"It sure is a big thrill to win my first Group race in Singapore," said Walker.
"Winning big races back home seems to happen all the time but it's a bit of a struggle when you are in a new country.
"It's only our first season here and if you think about it, we've been punching well above our weight in the big races here."
A $210,000 graduate of the 2008 Ready to Run Sale, Flying Fulton was bred by A S & J A Bongiorno and was purchased by David Ellis from Mana Park.
"David always buys beautiful athletes and this bloke is certainly one. He has come through as an older horse and I think he will improve further."
Walker has indicated that the five-year-old will be aimed at the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile on October 2.
The victory continues the Ready to Run Sale's success in Singapore this season with Fat Kid (Handsome Ransom) winning the Sgp-2 Queen Elizabeth Cup and Sgp-3 Fortune Bowl, and Dontellthewife (Volksraad) winning the Sgp-3 Moonbeam Vase.
Flying Fulton was one of three Ready to Run Sale graduates to salute for the meeting, with Ninth Avenue (NZ) (Quorum x Mrs Bouquet) and Steven (NZ) (Elusive City x Goodwood Jazz) taking their races, and Palombaro (NZ) (Rusty Spur x On Leave) winning a race for the Karaka Festival Sale.
New Zealand Bloodstock graduates also took three races in Hong Kong last night with My Memory (NZ) (Strategic Image x Umhlanga Rocks), Shiny Day (NZ) (Bahhare x Noubeel) and Five Clubs (NZ) (Danbird x Haceinda) all winning their respective races.
| Name | Sale Details | Vendor | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninth Avenue | $28,000, 2007 RTR | C. L. Goodin | NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK |
| Steven | $36,000, 2008 RTR | Valachi Downs | MR L LAXON |
| Palombaro | $6,500, 2007 K3 | Totara Park Stud | DEAN HAWTHORNE BLOODSTOCK |
| My Memory | $50,000, 2007 RTR | Te Runga Stud | NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK |
| Shiny Day | $50,000, 2009 K2 | Kirkwall Thoroughbreds | MR PUI JUN KUEN |
| Five Clubs | $21,000, 2008 K2 | Highview Stud | LAKEVIEW STUD PTY LTD |
Catalogues for New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale will be available from this Friday 23 September. The catalogue can also be viewed online at http://www.nzb.co.nz/ from Friday.