ENTERTAINER is no joke – makes it three wins in a row in Singapore with spectacular victory 4th April

ENTERTAINER, the 4yo Gelding by Zoustar out of Laughing, who carries the stable nickname “Joker” showed that he has a serious side when delivering a comprehensive all the way win in the Class 4 1100 metre event on the Kranji Polytrack Sunday 4th April, his 3rd win in succession. Drawn awkwardly in Barrier 11 and in the hands of Te Akau Stable Apprentice K Hakim, the race plan was to go forward from the draw, but Entertainer dwelt in the barriers and was slow away. Undeterred, Hakim booted him up and soon gained the lead. Setting a merry pace and unchallenged, Entertainer turned for home with a nice lead which he extended out to about 3 lengths early in the run home. The swoopers were coming though, headed by Vulcan in the hands of 4 time Singapore Champion Vlad Duric – Hakim and Entertainer then gave connections and punters a fright when dropping a rein briefly at the 200m mark, causing the horse to shift outwards and lose momentum, however rider and horse regathered themselves and fought off Vulcan, going to the line with a half length margin

Click HERE to see the race replay and Click HERE to see the head on replay

Entertainer makes it 3 consecutive wins in Singapore – 4th April 2021

Trainer Mark Walker was a satisfied man post race “Gee, I think we have underestimated this horse, he is shaping up into a really speedy galloper – he was inclined to race very fiercely in his first few races in Singapore, we managed to get that out of his system, but clearly he just loves to lead and that’s how we will ride him – he does appear to be an out and out sprinter who likes his races spaced. Hakim caused me to have my heart in my mouth for a few strides there, but Entertainer was just too strong. Good on John Galvin and his big group of Owners for the Fortuna NZ Stable – they are major supporters of us here in Singapore. And a big thanks to retired jockey Jumaat Saimee, who rides this horse in his work and his trials – he has given me a lot of valuable feedback on how this horse needs to be handled in his races”

Fortuna NZ Stable Principal, John Galvin, watched the race from his home in New Zealand said “Well, Joker had me really up and off the couch – he certainly gives everyone a great sight with his racing style – we didn’t pay a lot for this horse and he is giving his ownership group a lot of thrills – well done to Mark Walker and his team for doing such an outstanding job with this horse”

Entertainer was acquired by Mark Walker on behalf of Fortuna in December 2019 for A$20,000 from  the Inglis Digital online sale. He had been acquired originally as a yearling for A$150,000 by a high profile ownership group who had stallion making prospects in mind. Trained by Chris Waller, he showed some ability, but having needed to geld him and then after four non winning races in Australia, they offered him for sale on the Inglis platform.