Star NZ sprinter Coup Align is set to race first-up in Singapore on Sunday.

Coup Align (NZ) is now in the care of expat Kiwi Mark Walker after being transferred from Michael Pitman.  He has been entered for a 1000 metres sprint on the Kranji Polytrack.

Coup Align (Align – Diamond Snip by Snippets) was sent off-shore for a tilt at the G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint in May but was stranded in quarantine.  “He got stuck in quarantine for about seven weeks,” Walker said.  “It was too close to the KrisFlyer so we just gave him some time to adjust to the stable life up here and acclimatise to the conditions.”

Coup Align was never out of second gear winning a 1000m trial in 62.06s last week and Walker believes he will be ready to run a big race this Sunday.  “After that he can go straight into the G3 Paititi Gold Trophy and I’m sure that will suit him ideally.”
 
Coup Align is raced by Ray Coupland and was a classy sprinter in New Zealand winning 12 of his 22 starts including the G3 Stewards Stakes at Riccarton twice.  He was also placed in the prestigious G1 Telegraph Handicap this year won by Mufhasa (Pentire).

“He’s a lovely horse and will do anything you ask of him,” said Walker.  “Apart from the early hiccup where he got caught up in quarantine, he’s had a lovely preparation and his trials have been quite solid.”
 
Vlad Duric is looking forward to his ride on the gelding.  “It was a really good trial,” said Duric.  “I held him together the whole way as I didn’t want him doing too much.  He feels a nice horse and his record in New Zealand certainly backs that up.”