Racing: Stockman has art of training down pat

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Don Walker has never taken one piece of advice on how to train racehorses.

Postmans Daughter's dashing win in Saturday's $100,000 DHL Counties Cup proves that in his case it hasn't been necessary.

However, the South Auckland owner-trainer has something that is equally as valuable - stockmanship.

Walker was a dairy farmer until Auckland's never-ending urban sprawl overtook his farmland.

"It started with half a share in a horse then I went to the sales and bought five horses for $3000."

One of them was Kinjabelle, the dam of Postmans Daughter. The price of a round of drinks for the mare was pretty conservative given that her grand-dam was the outstanding mare Star Belle, a sensation on the track and a prolific breeder.

"If I have a style of training it's probably that I think outside the square," said Walker after scoring his biggest win since he took over training a handful of horses.

"Mark Chitty [Haunui Farm] told me a few years ago to treat them like one of the cows.

"I breed my mares only every second year and leave the foals on the mare right through the winter so they get the best possible start."

Whatever Walker does, it works at least for this mare - Postmans Daughter was having just her 13th career start against some talented horses on Saturday. She won her first race, a 2100m event, as late as March this year.

That might say something about the lack of depth in our staying ranks at the moment, but it also points to considerable potential.

Apprentice rider Danielle Johnson deferred a five-raceday suspension last week to allow her to take the ride on Postmans Daughter.

Walker says he was so chuffed about the cup victory he was happy to stay at home for a celebratory drink on Saturday night.

"We had a decent crack, but I've pulled up well because I had a full dipper of feed this morning."

It's now off to the Waikato Times Gold Cup, but no level of success will change Walker's approach to life.

"She's the only one I'm training at the moment and I'm happy with that.

"It's a hobby - I don't want to make it a job.

"I go fishing two or three days a week. It's not a bad lifestyle."

* After victories by Travino and Undisclosed at Pukekohe, Matamata horseman Peter McKay is challenging for the title of training strike rate king.

The horses the McKay stable have produced this season look certain to keep his name in contention for that honour.

Like Travino. The classy General Nediym colt scored over a hot field in the $45,000 Murdock Newell Stakes and is a fair way from his best yet.

"He's raced a bit greenly in a couple of starts, but he's learning," said Jason Waddell, who rode Travino beautifully, challenging at exactly the right time in the home straight.

As stylish as the winner looked, runner-up Silk Pins was unlucky. Jason Collett missed out on a rails run early in the home straight and had to switch ground. It cost Silk Pins more than one length and she stormed home late to be narrowly beaten.

Plunge horse Niobe, on debut, had a nice run before challenging and leading halfway down the home straight. She fought strongly for third, but paid the price in part by not having the raceday hardness of those around her.

* Fazzle has proved several times she has been underrated and she did it again in Saturday's $100,000 NRM Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes.

Moira Murdoch and Dominic Olsen should have some profitable options with the mare who made it six wins from 19 starts.

Cassabella Lane is another who bobs up when least expected and combined for an $800-plus quinella.

The race was a wipe-out for punters with the favourites, Twilight Savings, Banchee, Magic Briar and Baby Guineassall missing the money. The First4 of $81,000 provided few smiles for punters on what was a tough day.