Walker taking Dynastic on familiar path to classic
WELLINGTON: Mark Walker prepared three winners of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas in his first stint as head trainer for Te Akau’s Matamata barn and holds pole position to add to his classic tally.
His top charge, Dynastic, is the clear prepost favourite for the feature at Riccarton Park on November 5 and should tighten his grip with another successful outing at Hastings today.
Dynastic is favourite in fixedodds betting to win the 1400m Hawkes Bay Guineas following his resuming victory in the Sir Colin Meads Trophy on the opening day of the carnival.
Almanzor’s son struck a heavy track for the first time in his brief career three weeks ago and Walker feared the worst when the horses were in the straight.‘‘He looked down and out at the 200m and I thought he was going to get beaten and then he drew away the last 100m and ended up winning quite convincingly,’’ he said.
‘‘He’s a Karaka Million winner so we know he is a class horse and there was just a question mark on the ground.
‘‘He came through the race really well, but he is going to get another wet track to deal with this weekend.’’
Dynastic’s main aim is the 2000 Guineas, previously won by Walker with King’s Chapel (2003), Darci Brahma (2005) and Tell A Tale (2008).
He subsequently left for a hugely successful spell in Singapore, during which time Te Akau also won the feature with the Jason Bridgmantrained Rock N Pop (2011) before Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards struck gold with Xtravagant (2015) and Embellish (2017).
The now Hong Kongbased Richards was in sole charge of the training operation when he sent out last year’s winner Noverre.
While it is premature for Dynastic to be rated alongside former star Te Akau 3yrolds, he is quickly climbing the ladder.
‘‘He’s making his way to that stage. He’s not there yet, but he is making his way right up there,’’ Walker said.
Dynastic will have a wide gate to contend with at Hastings today, but that is the least of Walker’s concerns.
‘‘When you’ve got Opie (Bosson) on there’s not too many sticky draws to be honest. He’s riding in great form.’’
Safely through today’s race, Dynastic will have his final 2000 Guineas leadup in the James and Annie Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa on October 22.
Stablemate Accidental Tourist will also take his place in the Hastings agegroup feature following the Telperion gelding’s laststart third in the Whanganui Guineas. — NZ Racing Desk