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Singapore champion trainer Mark Walker gang-tackles Friday’s $70,000 Class 3 race over 1400m with a trio of horses of whom he makes Federation his best chance to hold his own in a very competitive line-up.
While it is not uncommon to see the so-called second or third stringer pop up, the Kiwi handler said he would be surprised if either Inherit or Viviano defied his appraisal.
For a start, Walker sees the seven furlongs and the inside alley as two factors in Federation's corner, even if the four-time winner – all over 1200m - will step over the trip for the first time.
In Australia where he was raced by the China Horse Club for Peter & Paul Snowden, his four starts did not exceed 1300m. He was placed over 1300m twice before the Fortuna NZ Racing Stable bought him for A$90,000 at the Inglis Digital online sale in 2018.
"Federation used to charge in his races when he first came to us. We've gone back to basics with him and he's a lot more settled now," said the three-time Singapore champion trainer.
"The 1400m shouldn't be a problem for him, and he's drawn barrier No 1, which is a big help.
"He's a big horse as well. It's only now that he's just started to mature, we've yet to see the best of him.
"He's my best chance of the three, especially with barrier one, he should get a beautiful run. JP (John Powell) knows him, he has won twice on him, and he's a good rider."
Ruan Maia will ride Inherit (x Pierro) for the first time while Walker's apprentice jockey Hakim Kamaruddin takes the ride on Viviano (x Keeper).
Walker, who is already on top of the log again, said that the other two would probably be warming up to the task when the race is all over.
"I think Inherit will be better when he goes over more distance. A Class 3 over 1400m would be a bit sharp for him," he said.
"Once he goes up to 1600m and beyond, you will see the best of him, and it's the same thing for Viviano.
"He had fetlock surgery and will be third-up on Friday. At his last start, he didn't run too badly (closing sixth to Aramaayo in a Class 2 race over 1400m).
"The 1400m will still be sharp for him. It won't be until he gets over 1600m that he can be a winning chance, but at the same time, he's not so young anymore (eight-year-old), and we're trying to bring him on naturally."
Walker's team will have nine horses in the way, with the likes of Bluestone, Cliff Brown's last-start winner who will be, however, up in grade, Wecando and Quarter Back arguably the hardest to beat.