Overseas offers for Wellington Cup winning jockey Michael Walker will be made before his apprenticeship ends, says his boss Allan Sharrock.
The 16-year-old whiz kid achieved yet another milestone when he notched the first group one win of his brief 18-month career when riding Smiling Like to a brilliant last-to-first win in the $270,000 Wellington Cup at Trentham on Saturday.
Sharrock, a Taranaki trainer from New Plymouth, said Walker had not yet received a serious offer to move away from New Zealand but had no doubt it would happen.
"It'll come," said Sharrock.
"Whether it's right for Michael is something that would have to be discussed at the time and then we'll sort it out."
Sharrock said the dollars involved in leaving New Zealand would be the key factor.
"Money will determine it," he said.
Sharrock, however, was hopeful Walker would not be lost to New Zealand too soon.
"I would like to think we could keep him here a little bit longer. He's only a kid - so let's hope so."
Former New Zealand trainer Paddy Busuttin, now based in Singapore, made an informal approach last year about Walker riding for him. Walker rode a winner for Busuttin in Singapore last year.
International trainer Graeme Rogerson has also suggested that Walker could ride for his Dubai stable.
Rogerson is co-trainer of Smiling Like and the horse is part-owned by breeder Sir Patrick Hogan who has horses with Rogerson in Dubai.
Sharrock said the Hogan connection could prove invaluable.
"It's great to win for Patrick because he can take him onto other things," he said.
Walker just keeps achieving.
He created a first when he won last season's national jockeys' premiership in his first year as a rider with 131 wins. So far this season he has 93.
- NZPA
Racing: Foreign offers highly likely
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