War Affair (Aus) has staked a serious claim for the G2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe in Singapore on Friday, May 17.

The Mark Walker trained youngster finished much better than his rivals to claim the Inglis Sydney Juvenile Stakes (1200m) at Kranji on Friday.  “We will see how he pulls up,” trainer Mark Walker said.  “Obviously, if he’s all right, he will then go towards the Final in two weeks’ time.”

Friday’s win sets up an intriguing battle between War Affair and his previous conqueror Peace No War in the S$325,000 Golden Horseshoe.

War Affair (3g O’Reilly – Kristique by Kris S) is the fourth named foal and first winner for a USA bred daughter of Nastique (Naskra), a G1 winner at Hollywood Park and Aqueduct.

His Waikato Stud based sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) is a rising 20 year-old and will stand for a $60,000 service fee in 2013.

All Australian bred thoroughbreds foaled in Australia, carrying the (Aus) suffix, that were sold as a yearling at auction in Australia by Inglis or Magic Millions are qualified to collect the jackpot bonus.

Should a non-qualified horse win the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe, the remaining bonus monies, taking in any previous bonus monies not having been paid-out, will be paid to the connections of the qualified horse that won the greatest amount of prizemoney during the series.