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A sizzling-run race saw talented sprinter Skywalk bounce back in record-breaking time in the $100,000 Class 1 race over 1100m on the Polytrack on Friday night.
After beginning from a good barrier in three, the Battle Paint five-year-old, who was returning from a five-month spell, slotted into a perfect rails-hugging trail while a quartet of speed squibs went helter-skelter upfront.
On the rails, Special King (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) would not give up his spot as he kicked up from a bunched-up trio made up of Super Fortune (Simon Kok Wei Hoong), Super Winner (Syahir Abdul) and Webster (Wong Chin Chuen), who instead of easing off, skipped alongside him to inject even more speed into the already blazing hot pace.
Marine Treasure (Matthew Kellady) was just a fraction astern but still in touch with the warring foursome while Skywalk was the one enjoying a charmed run away from the madding crowd, with jockey Ben Thompson evidently chuckling to himself.
Into the straight, Webster, as he kept rolling on from his merry run four wide, tried to muster another kick, as did Special King and Super Fortune, and surprisingly, still had some petrol left. But they were all left a sitting duck when Skywalk was angled out for his run before sweeping past them on his way to a one-length win.
A brave Special King did well to hang on for second place, with Marine Treasure third another short head away. Once regarded as an upcoming sprinter, Super Fortune has lost his way a little, but put in one of his better runs in a while with a fighting fourth place another head away.
Distinctive Darci (Vlad Duric), who grows another leg on the all-weather, momentarily threatened when he came with his trademark burst at the 300m, but he plateaued off to run fifth another three-quarter length away, just a neck ahead of Webster, who did extremely well in the circumstances given he was entitled to run last following his torrid run out in the sticks.
Skywalk bettered Filibuster’s record of 1min 4.16secs by 0.07 second, incidentally tallying up his eighth win (only two were won on turf) from 21 starts for prizemoney that has now hit around the $565,000 mark for the China Horse Club.
Peters, who was at a race-to-race double after Well Deserved (Duric, $26) won the $20,000 Open maiden race over 1000m, was delighted one of his better horses at the stable has bounced back first-up since his unplaced run to Constant Justice (beaten in seventh on Friday) in the Group 3 New Year Cup (1200m) on January 1.
“It’s worked out perfect tonight. From the good draw, he settled just behind the speed,” said the English handler.
“He was in a perfect position, tracking up the speed without doing any work. He’s a very good horse fresh.
“It was good to see him win again as his last couple of runs had been disappointing.”
Thompson, who was also bringing up his own double, having saluted earlier aboard Clarton Star ($19) for his first win for Kiwi trainer Mark Walker in the $30,000 Class 5 race over 1700m, said he had a good hunch he was on a winner one week before the race.
“I won on him at the barrier trials last week (May 7) and also galloped him this week. He gave me a very good feel,” said the young Australian jockey.
“Once I checked his form, I had a good feeling I was on a winner. During the race, when I saw Webster caught four wide, I knew he would keep the pressure in front.
“James has got a nice horse, and I would certainly like to stay on.”
