Comeback jockey to take one shot at Caulfield

Brad Waters - Thursday July 27

Jockey Michael Walker only has one ride but says he has a great chance of notching his first city win in almost six months at Saturday's Caulfield meeting.

Michael Walker is confident of scoring aboard Danuki on Saturday at Caulfield. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Walker missed five months through injury but the rider has quietly gone about his business with four winners from 29 rides since returning to the saddle earlier this month.

Three of Walker's wins have been at double-figure odds but punters have backed his mount Danuki from $6.50 to $5.50 to win the Jason Hart BM78 Handicap (1100m).

The Clinton McDonald-trained Danuki resumes from a spell in the $60,000 contest but takes a sound record of a win and two minor placings from four first-up runs.

Walker rode Danuki is his last jumpout at Caulfield on July 18 and the son of Exceed And Excel's work since that jumpout has pleased the New Zealand-born jockey.

"His jumpouts have been excellent," Walker said. "I was on him the other day in a jumpout against Lankan Rupee and he was really impressive.

"I've galloped him a couple of times since and he has worked really well.

"Clinton has got him going really well. He's happy and he's in a good frame of mind."

Danuki has led is most of his 18 starts but Walker said the five-year-old could take a trail if one of his rivals wants to overdo things up front early in the race while the gelding's 60kg handicap was unlikely to pose a problem.

"He has got to carry 60kg but I think he's a big and strong enough horse to lump that weight and I expect him to run.

"He's not a horse that is going to jump out and pull.

"I'll sit off them and if something wants to go too quick then I'll let it go. Naturally, he has got early speed but I'm not going to get into a cut-throat duel."

Danuki is the favourite in Sportsbet's open market on the event ahead of the Aaron Purcell-trained Written Era and Daniel Stackhouse's mount Kabrocco at $7.50.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 2
Here is the full list of 137 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Switzerland Brother an Inglis Easter Highlight for 2025
An “arrogant’’, “dominant’’ and “awesome’’ victory solidified Easter Sale superstar Switzerland’s future at stud when he produced a devastating performance to win the stallion making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.
2024 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw
The all important barrier draw for the world’s richest handicap, the $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been held for a field which contains horses bred in seven countries and trained in four.
Back to Back Victoria Derby Winners for Triple Crown Hero American Pharoah
The Watson family owned South Australian nursery Mill Park is a name synonymous with serious Group I horses and in particular those bred by astute breeder Harry Perks and this winning association struck for a third time in the $2million Group I VRC Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday when Goldrush Guru saluted to join previous winners they have produced in Rebel Raider and Warning.
Fawkner Park Back to Winning Ways in G3 Rosehill Gold Cup
Since winning the Listed Albury Gold Cup in March, Fawkner Park has undergone an amazing transformation.
William Haggas Trained Lake Forest Triumphs in Golden Eagle
William Haggas is playing his part in keeping the UK economy afloat, taking home a further $5,250,000 after Lake Forest (GB) won an action-packed James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
Bravo Centurion - How Good is He?
Ridden by Chris Parnham for Luke Fernie, Bravo Centurion stretched his winning run to six, making every post a winner to defeat Saloon Bar (Sessions) by a long three and three-quarter lengths with Crippalenko (Maschino) a half-length back in third.
Switzerland Wins the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for Coolmore
After Coolmore’s $875,000 I Am Invincible colt Home Affairs captured the Coolmore Stud Stakes in 2021, it was the turn of the $1,500,000 Snitzel colt Switzerland to do the sponsor proud in the $2,000,000 Group 1 feature at Flemington on Saturday.
Third G1 Win for Star Savabeel Mare Atishu
A year after flying home for second behind Pride Of Jenni in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), Go Racing’s pin-up girl Atishu(NZ) (Savabeel) returned to Flemington on Saturday and went one better for the Kiwi syndicators.
Invincible Mares Quinella G3 Furphy Sprint
The first foal of triple Group I winning mare Shoals, blueblood I Am invincible mare Isthmus has been threatening to win a stakes race this year and got the job done when charging clear to score a dominant victory in the Group III VRC Furphy Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday over another I Am Invincible mare in Kundalini.