​Promising mare Makkura kept her unbeaten record in two countries intact after she made every post a winning one in the $55,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m on Polytrack on Friday.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
The New Zealand-bred four-year-old by Falkirk came to Singapore with a record of one win from start over 1200m on a heavy track at Manawutu, and wasted no time in reproducing that form at her Kranji debut in a 1000m race on Polytrack on May 4, making it all to score a gutsy short-head win over Terminator.
Trainer John O'Hara put winning jockey Greg Cheyne back on second-up, and was by coincidence handed barrier No 2 as well. The only variance in the formula was the impost as the handicapper had slapped the mare with a heftier load (58kg).
But Makkura made light of the three-kilo penalty to score by a bigger margin this time – three parts of a length from Good Buddy (Stephen Baster) with Arapuni a head away in third. Co-owned by the Toast Trust 27 Stable and her previous New Zealand trainer, Stephen Crutchley, Makkura ran the 1200m in 1min 12.24secs.
O'Hara was trying not to put too positive a spin to the second win in a row, but was clearly delighted with his new find.
“She's definitely not a bad mare. She's very tough as she carried more weight this time,” said the Singaporean conditioner.
“The distance was a bit short at her debut. The 1200m is probably more ideal for her.
“The good draw also helped again, but she jumped smartly and made her own luck.
“I don't have anything planned for her at this stage. Just take her through her grades.”
Cheyne said the mare had improved further since her debut win.
“She's very smart and I would say she has improved a lot from her first run,” said the South African hoop.
“She's also improved her manners a lot. She was much better this time.
“She had a lot more weight this time but she's won well. I think when horses wear blinkers for the first time, they don't know where the end is and they just keep going.
“I think that all things being equal, she should be able to step up to the next level.”
