Best in the world - that's the aim of champion apprentice jockey Michael Walker.
Walker yesterday broke the New Zealand record for most wins in a season when he scored aboard the favourite Equity Rose in the second race at the Otago Racing Club's meeting at Wingatui.
"I want to be the best in the world and ride everywhere," Walker said.
His more immediate aim is to add to his tally for this season.
"I would like to extend the record to about 180 wins," he said.
Walker, 17, began race riding on July 31, 1999 and topped the premiership last season with 131 wins in his first year of riding.
This season he has a lead of 39 wins over Lance O'Sullivan and has also ridden two winners overseas.
"I will look to ride a lot more overseas next season," he said. "There has been an offer from Singapore but nothing has been confirmed."
Walker, who is apprenticed to New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock, has ridden in Singapore, Australia and Macau this season.
He is riding in Brisbane next Saturday. Walker has won the group three Hawkesbury Cup in New South Wales this season. He has also ridden a winner in Singapore.
He said winning the Wellington Cup in January on Smiling Like, his first group one win, remained the highlight of his racing achievements.
"Getting a corporate sponsor has also been a highlight," he said.
He paid a tribute to Sharrock at a presentation of a whip by the Otago club to mark his record.
"I would like to thank the boss. He is a big part of my career and has taught me everything. All the hard work has paid off."
Walker said the win on Equity Rose had been emotional as he is godfather to the son of the mare's trainer Paul Harris.
It was the second win for Equity Rose in three starts since joining Harris three months ago.
Walker said he had been frustrated in his bid to set the record. He equalled the record of 162 wins, set by O'Sullivan, at the Hastings meeting on May 25. He rode five winners that day and yesterday broke a losing streak of 29 rides over four meetings.
* Wingatui trainers Brian and Shane Anderton moved into the lead on the New Zealand trainers' premership with four wins on their home course yesterday.
They have won 50 races this season, one more than Colin Jillings and Richard Yuill, of Takanini.
The Andertons won with Melomai (Otago Steeplechase), Milly Bijou (Birthday Handicap), Bi A Rose (c1 1600m) and Another Gem (c3 1600m).
They have won 27 races at the nine meetings at Wingatui this season.
- NZPA
Racing: Walker eyes world now record finally cracked
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