3 minute read

Trainer Mark Walker is sending First Light to the paddocks after he lost his maiden status at only his third start on Friday night.

The New Zealand mentor had long felt the Duporth four-year-old would come back even better after a break – and so he will go ahead with his plans with the gutsy win in the $65,000 Initiation Division 2 race over 1400m a nice bonus.

“I feel he’s a horse who will just get better with a break. He’s a staying horse,” said Walker who was notching his 68th winner and more than ever before, looking odds-on to clinch his second title after 2015.

“He can get 2000m for sure, but I will have to talk to the owners. That’s the first horse they (Better Times Stable) race with me.

“He’s a nice typical New Zealand horse that won a barrier trial there.

“It’s actually Opie Bosson who rode him on that day, and who recommended me to buy the horse. He’s ridden here and he knows what would suit here.”

Duric echoed Walker’s sentiments that First Light would evolve into a handy stayer one day.

“He gave me a beautiful run throughout. We sat outside the leader (New Sensation) and he kicked on good,” said the leading jockey.

“I think he’s really come through his grades. He’s a lovely horse who does everything you ask of him, he’s bombproof and he will get a mile.”

First Light ($15) was only the second pick in Friday’s event, overshadowed by Ricardo Le Grange’s Juvenile Championship runner-up Iffragal (to Mr Hanks) and who had only his apprentice jockey Krisna Thangamani’s weight of 48kgs on his back.

The Iffraaj filly looked home when she loomed large on the outside, but unfortunately, she continued to drift out wider under pressure, putting paid to her chances of rewarding those who backed her at her prohibitive odds of $8.

First Light, on the other hand, went straight as a die to land the spoils by one length from New Sensation (John Powell) with Iffragal in third spot another two lengths away. The winning time was 1min 23.1secs for the 1400m on the Short Course.