Mark Walker was still feeling upbeat on Sunday morning despite having to settle for the runner-up cheque with both of his runners at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Lightly raced four-year-old stayer Soprano Supreme (NZ) (Contributer) chased hard but came up just short when beaten by half a length in the Gold Coast Cup (2400m) behind fellow Kiwi-bred Stardome (NZ) (Savabeel), before talented three-year-old colt Sword Of State (Snitzel) went down in a head-bobbing finish to Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) in the Gr.3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).
Walker saw the merit in both runs with the pair unsuited by the heavily rain affected surface on offer on the day.
“I guess you can say it was frustrating but they both showed their class on a track that didn’t suit,” Walker said.
“I actually thought Sword Of State was going to fall away a little in the last 200m but he just wouldn’t give in and missed the bob on the line.
“He was very well ridden by Opie (Bosson) and just had his head up at the wrong time.
“I felt he deserved to win it, but it wasn’t to be and now we have to push on with the rest of his campaign.
“He has come through the race nicely, with his next run likely to be in the Gr.1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm at the end of the month.
“It certainly doesn’t get any easier for him, but he has settled in well and is thriving.”
Soprano Supreme will also have her next run later in the month with Walker keen to get a little more condition on her in the meantime.
“Soprano Supreme showed she would cope with the quality of racing she will meet over here and she certainly didn’t shirk her task in the run home on Saturday,” he said.
Photo Credit: Trish Dunell
“I was a little concerned she had lightened off a bit since arriving so I’m keen to get some weight back on her.
“She will have three weeks between races so that should give us the chance to achieve that aim and then work out how we progress from there.”
Walker also reported that high-class mare Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock) had settled in and was working well as she sets her sights on the Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) next Saturday.
“She (Entriviere) is an experienced traveller now and she has come through the flight over here with flying colours,” he said.
“She is a happy horse and we’re looking forward to the Doomben 10,000 although it would be nice if the rain would ease off.
“I think it has rained every day we have been here and there is plenty more forecast for this week.
“She can handle some cut in the ground, but a lot is going to depend on how the track comes up for Saturday and if she can draw a favourable barrier.
“They don’t give Group Ones away but she is in good shape to give it a decent shake.”
Walker advised that the rest of Entriviere’s programme would be determined by her showing at Doomben with the option of races like the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and the Gr.1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) available further down the track.
