[February 25, 2006]

DARCI BRAHAMA RATED NO 1 BY MICHAEL WALKER

(New Zealand Press Association Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Otaki, Feb 25 NZPA - Michael Walker licked a finger and raised it in the air.

That was the reaction from the top jockey just past the winning post after star colt Darci Brahma justified his hot favouritism to win the $100,000 Otaki-Maori Weight-For-Age (1600m) at Otaki, north of Wellington, today.

To Walker the win confirmed Darci Brahma as the best horse racing in New Zealand.

He again raised a finger after unsaddling from Darci Brahma and as he made his way from the winner's stall to the weigh-in area he said: ``No 1 that horse, No 1.''

Darci Brahma now heads to Melbourne for the $A750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) for three-year-olds at Flemington on March 11.

Syndicate manager David Ellis said the horse would be flown across the Tasman on the Wednesday or Thursday before the race.

``Very excited,'' Ellis said.

Ellis, however, said no decision had been made on a rider for Melbourne.

``We haven't even thought about it. We are going to discuss it this week,'' he said.

Walker would not comment about his chances of riding the horse but it does seem likely he would retain the mount as long as he gains a clearance to ride in Melbourne.

Victoria's chairman of stewards, Des Gleeson, said last week he was concerned about comments Walker made in a television interview last year about his use of cocaine while riding in Melbourne in 2004. Gleeson said he needed to clarify some matters with Walker.

Michael Walker said he was sure Darci Brahma would be hard to beat in the Australian Guineas.

``He'll measure up, definitely. No worries,'' he said.

Darci Brahma today scored by three-quarters of a length but Walker said he could easily do better.

``If he wanted to, he could destroy them,'' Walker said.

``If something had come at me late, he would go again. But he gets to the front and he loafs and he starts leaning in.

``In the head, he's still a big baby.''

There was much conjecture about Walker's ride when Darci Brahma was beaten into second at his previous start. Walker said he was instilled with much confidence for today when he discussed riding tactics with trainer Mark Walker (no relation) after trackwork on the morning of the race at Matamata.

``He said `I'm not going to tell you anything. You do want to want','' Michael Walker said.

Kristov, who beat Darci Brahma in the 1400m Waikato Sprint at his previous start, again set the pace in today's group one race but Walker was not about to let the horse get out of his sights this time.

Darci Brahma trailed Kristov most of the way, moved up alongside him approaching the home straight and the pair settled down to fight out the finish.

Kristov did not give in easily but Darci Brahma asserted his authority to score convincingly and in excellent time of one minute 33.67 seconds for the 1600m.

Matamata trainer Phillip Stevens was pleased at the way Kristov took it to Darci Brahma.

``No disgrace to my horse -- he tried his heart out,'' Stevens said.

``He was beaten by a better horse on the day. We have no excuses.''

Stevens said he would try Kristov over 2000m at his next start in the group one $150,000 Starcraft Stakes at Ellerslie on March 11.

A distant third today was Penitentiary who ran on to be 3-1/4 lengths from Kristov. There was 2-1/2 lengths to King Of Ashford fourth and a short head to Sedecrem fifth.

NZPA WGT pg mg

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