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New Zealand galloper Coup Align has tested the training skills of his trainer Mark Walker.

Since his arrival Coup Align has failed to settle in to his new surrounds and has become dry coated and

won't sweat despite Singapore's hot and steamy conditions.

A spell and the use of different medications haven't altered the condition of Coup Align's coat, but

Walker is hopeful of a promising run in the $95,000 Open Benchmark 97 Stakes over 1200m on Friday

night.

After arriving from New Zealand with a big reputation, the six-year-old son of Align has failed to deliver in

two starts since arriving at Walker's stables.

Originally sent to contest the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint in May, Coup Align was held up in
quarantine and Walker ran out of time to prepare the sprinter for Singapore's premier 1200m contest.

It allowed Walker more time to work on the gelding and he eventually made his debut in Singapore on
July 3, finishing fifth behind Dictator over 1000m on the Polytrack.

Following a 6.5 length fading ninth behind Argy Bargy in the Group 3 Paititi Gold Stakes over 1200m on
the turf two weeks later, Walker sent the gelding for a break.

“Since he got here he's become dry coated and just won't sweat,” said Walker. “After his last run we
sent him up the hill to the resting stables.

“He had three weeks up there and we tried a few different medications on him.

“He has come back alright and he trialled well enough the other day, but he still won't sweat.

“Friday night will tell the story of just where we are with the horse.”

Coup Align finished at the tail of what was a pretty hot trial field on September 20 over 1000m which

included the likes of Ato, Always Certain and Powerful Tree before following up nine days later to win a

1000m trial, defeating Tenuponten, by three lengths.

Walker's apprentice Shafiq Rusof will take the ride on Friday night and his 3kg claim will bring the
gelding in with 54kg.

A New Zealander, Walker said Coup Align was the only “dry coated” galloper that he has in his stables
and it is mystifying as to why it has occurred.

One theory put forward is the gelding was coming out of the New Zealand autumn and was expecting a
cooler climate coming up, instead of experiencing the warmer summer months of Singapore.

“We've had a number of horses come up from New Zealand and he's the only one that won't sweat,”
said Walker.

“Getting held up in quarantine wasn't ideal for him but if we can get him back then he'd be a super horse
here in Singapore.

“They say dry coated horses run better at night and I searched long and hard for this race. It's the only
one around for a while, so let's hope they're right.”

Prior to coming to Singapore, Coup Align was a classy New Zealand sprinter and if he didn't win he
would then invariably finish out of the placings.

He was successful at 12 of his 22 starts, but registered only one minor placing from his remaining 10
starts, accumulating almost NZ$425,000 in prizemoney.

Coup Align was successful over a variety of distances in New Zealand, scoring five times over 1000m, a
further five at 1200m with victories over 1250m and 1355m thrown in for good measure.

He was successful twice in Group 3 company while his one and only placing came in New Zealand's
most prestigious sprint, the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap, in which he finished third behind Mufhasa, one

of New Zealand's highest rated gallopers and a recent second in Group 1 company behind Cox Plate

favourite Jimmy Choux, beaten one-and-a-half lengths in a blistering 1 min 07.04 secs for the 1200m

journey.