Ed Walker finds himself dominating the top of the weights for the Betfred Goals Galore Handicap at Kempton on Saturday as he saddles his long-serving stable stars Riggins and Axiom.
Walker is in his second season as a trainer in Newmarket and both horses were recruited from Luca Cumani, for whom Walker used to serve as an assistant.
His only complaint is the draw for the event, a qualifier for the London Mile, with Axiom in three and Riggins in 13.
The latter was a Listed winner at the track in November 2010. After running in valuable events on the grass last summer, he finally tasted success again in a handicap on the Polytrack at Lingfield. The eight-year-old was sixth in the Winter Derby back at the same course last month.
“Ideally I’d have loved to have swapped the draws around, as Axiom usually misses the break and it wouldn’t matter if he was drawn 13, but it’s more of a concern for Riggins,” said Walker.
“This is going to be Riggins’ last run before he has a break. He ran a cracking race in the Winter Derby but he didn’t quite get home. He just stays a mile and a quarter but nine furlongs is his ideal trip.
“Hopefully he’ll win and get qualified for the final, but the idea is to give him a long break over early summer and bring him back for the final. He’s in good form and we decided he’s just much better on the Polytrack than the grass.”
Axiom was fourth in last year’s Lincoln and also returned at Lingfield recently, finishing second to the progressive George Guru.
Walker has booked claimer Michael Murphy for the ride and added: “Michael knows the horse very well and takes off a valuable 7lb. He ran a great race last time and, if he gets the breaks, he could go close.”
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