Polar Esprit, trained by Mark Walker for a Te Akau syndicate, was bought by syndicate manager David Ellis at the South Island sale last August when offered by Esker Lodge, Cambridge.
Polar Esprit is by Bel Esprit, winner of the 2003 Doomben 10,000. He is the third foal of Polar Sky, a Hurricane Sky mare who won three races. She is a half-sister to Arctic Scene (1996 Caulfield Cup).
Polar Esprit is under the supervision of Gus Clutterbuck in the Rangiora stable of Walker.
Clutterbuck said he was looking forward to shifting to Matamata with the prospect of Walker moving to Singapore to train in September.
"Jason Bridgman would take over the training at Matamata and another appointment would be made for Rangiora," Clutterbuck said.
Clutterbuck, a former jockey, previously trained at Awapuni.
• Apprentice Shankar Muniandy rode three winners on a programme for the second time yesterday. Muniandy won on Flyby, Gaucho and Renee Maree.
He had won on One Chance, Half A Chance and Inferno at Riccarton in December.
Muniandy (23) is apprenticed to Brian and Shane Anderton, the trainers of Flyby and Renee Maree. The stable also won yesterday with Ardent Fire, ridden by stable jockey Jay Misbah.
• Cool Alibi won a maiden race first up for the Cups syndicate from the Steve Anderton stable. The 3yr-old No Excuse Needed filly was leased two months ago after she had been twice-placed from seven starts for Palmerston North trainer Kevin Gray.
The 14-member Cups syndicate has had success with Grace Park, a listed race winner and Personal Column, from the Anderton stable.
Stablemate The Glitzy One (Flying Spur-The Jewel) ran on late for fourth over 1100m when having her first start in the 2yr-old race. The Glitzy One will now be spelled.
