Racing: Move makes time for family

Mark Walker inspects lot 374 from the Trelawney Stud. Photo / Janna Dixon

After winning five New Zealand training premierships, Mark Walker made a career-defining decision in 2010 and shifted to Singapore.

Walker was the dominant player in the New Zealand industry when head trainer for Te Akau Thoroughbreds in Matamata. But he wanted further career challenges and the timing was right to shift to Singapore and build another racing stable for Te Akau.

While the shift was always going to be tough on Walker, his wife Julia and children Zavier and Alexis there has been plenty of upside.

"One obvious advantage is that there is only one racetrack in Singapore at Kranji and that means there is no other travelling involved with racing your horses," said Walker.

"I now have a regular routine in terms of being able to spend more time with my wife and family and seeing my children grow up, whereas in New Zealand the racing is spread throughout the country and also Australia. That meant I was spending a lot of time away from home and the family.

"It did take time for all of us to settle into a change of lifestyle but Singapore is a very safe and clean place to live in."

Walker currently has 50 boxes at Kranji and is determined to build that to the maximum number of 60.

A trainer with a prolific strike rate preparing 2-year-olds -Walker is back in New Zealand this week inspecting yearlings - and was doing the rounds of the various studs farms at Karaka yesterday.

In 2011 Walker bought 12 yearlings for Singapore-based clients and one of them - Warhorse - is a leading contender in today's Karaka Million for 2-year-olds at Ellerslie.

"Warhorse was a nice yearling colt and Jason [Bridgman] and the team at Matamata have done an outstanding job handling him in preparation for the Karaka Million.

"He's drawn wide but it doesn't seem to matter in that race as they go hammer and tongs in front, so he gets a good drag into the race."

Walker will again be purchasing for Singapore clients as well as inspecting a yearlings for Te Akau Thoroughbreds principal David Ellis.

Walker has had to change his methods to deal with Singapore's heat and humidity.

"My training methods have changed as I don't have to deal with those cold winter Matamata mornings any more.

"In Singapore, the horses live in boxes and the heat means you have to condition them differently.

"However, travel isn't a factor as everyone is based on the track at Kranji and that means you can also race your horses a lot more than you would in New Zealand."

Flying Fulton is one classic example of a horse that has thrived on the racing style in Singapore. Last season Flying Fulton had 20 starts and has now won more than $620,000 in stake money.

"Every time you start and, as long as your horse doesn't win or run last, the trainer gets a $400 payment and the owners $900. The veterinary and farrier work is also heavily subsidised by the Singapore Turf Club. With a minimum stake of $35,000 [Singapore] horse racing is thriving and the training facilities are first class.

"The club recently spent $11 million building an uphill training track and, with just the one racetrack to maintain, the facilities are world class."

Speed machine Coup Align is back in training with Walker in Singapore and will return in great condition this campaign.

Walker leaves his home at 4.30am every day to begin work at the Kranji complex. The training track does not open until 6am but Walker will not allow himself the luxury of an easier lifestyle.