Mark Walker aims for ‘new’ hometown Cranbourne Cup

Trainer Mark Walker has a good record when in form New Zealand gallopers land in Australia.

Walker’s latest ‘import’ is It’s A Wild Night who will have his first Australian outing in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) on Saturday.

It’s A Wild Night arrived at Walker’s Cranbourne base just over a week ago and according to assistant-trainer Ben Gleeson has settled into his new surrounds without a hitch.

Gleeson took advantage of giving It’s A Wild Night a look at the Cranbourne racecourse in a gallop on Tuesday morning.

“He was there for a leisurely look around just to take in his surroundings,” Gleeson said.

“He came over rock hard fit and he’s ready for the step up to a mile, so we didn’t have to do anything too hard with him.

“Blake Shinn was thrilled with the way he cornered and changed leads and did everything right.

“He’s a very professional horse.”

It’s A Wild Night arrived at his new base at Cranbourne in excellent form with wins at Matamata and Tauranga to start the campaign, the most recent on November 2.

Gleeson said the environment for It’s A Wild Night was something new for the gelding which had put spring in his step.

“Like a lot of horses that come over from New Zealand, we typically get them here about 10 days from their last run, and let them settle in,” Gleeson said.

“He’s eaten up. He’s an absolute gentleman on track and he’s honestly bomb-proof.

“Once they get here that 10 days before they run on my end of things it’s just about getting them climatised and used to Cranbourne.

“We get them down the beach, get them in the pool, all the little things that we have here that are maybe a little bit different to home.

“You often find that sparks them up a bit as well, puts a bit of spring in their step, and the record of horses coming over here and running well first-up is pretty good.”

Gleeson said It’s A Wild Night had been discussed as a potential horse to head to Australia for 12 months, but it was a matter of finding the right time.

He also said the gelding was not the soundest horse in the world.

“The team have always battled at home to get him in the best condition, but he comes over here in exceptional order,” Gleeson said.

“It’s just been picking the right time for him, and off the back of two wins and with the Cranbourne Cup falling at the perfect time, Mark is really strong on the opinion that as he furnishes and seasons, he’s going to be a really good miler.”