War Affair back in style

O’Reilly’s star Singapore performer War Affair has taken up where he left off at Kranji for trainer Mark Walker. Last season’s champion juvenile resumed in fine style last night with victory in the first leg of the new More Magic 3YO Championship Series.

Owned by the Warplan Racing Stables, he had proved the dominant force last term with wins in the Gr 2 Aushorse Golden Shoe and the Gr 3 Magic Millions Juvenile Championship. War Affair returned to competition after a break on Sunday with an easy one and a-half length success over 1200 metres.

“I sent him up to the resting stables and when I had a look at him, I thought he just needed that extra week up there,” Walker said. “I think that has given him the chance to furnish up even further and probably made the difference. His turn of foot was a lot better and I think he still has more scope for improvement. David Ellis bought him for $70,000 from Karaka. He’s a typical New Zealand-bred who will keep improving and will be even better over 1400m and 1600m, and probably even 2000m next year.”

War Affair’s regular rider Joao Moreira agreed there was plenty more to come from the gelding. “Credit must go to Mark,” he said. “I think this horse has improved by three lengths from his last start. I’ve always considered him as the best two-year-old before he turned three, that is, but even though he scored at his last start, he was probably not at his best, but he’s shown his true potential.”