Joyful Fortune has continued his affinity with the Flemington straight with and impressive victory in the Century Stakes.
A former Hong Kong galloper who was restricted to straight track racing before returning to Australia with knee problems, scored in a benchmark 70 race at Flemington over 1100m back in September.
That 4-¼ length win led to Joyful Fortune earning a spot in The Everest, and in the gelding’s first race around a turn he finished tenth behind Giga Kick in the $15 million showpiece.
Back to the Flemington straight track on Thursday, Joyful Fortune sat off the speed in the Listed 1000m dash before collaring the tearaway leader Yulong Command inside the final 100m.
Sent out the $3.10 favourite under Josh Parr, Joyful Fortune raced to three-quarter length win from Zoustyle ($4.80) with Yulong Command ($26) a further 1-¾ lengths away third.
Trainer Mark Newnham said Joyful Fortune may find himself back in Melbourne in the autumn for a tilt at the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.
“He’s a very talented horse, obviously he’s had a fair time off with injury, but we’ve managed him well, space his runs out a little bit and just find the right races,” Newnham said.
“He looks like a straight track specialist so you never know, he might find himself back here in a Lightning or something.
“All his wins have been down the straight so there is no need to stray too far.
“Being a straight-track specialist, you look at any races down the Flemington straight and it (the Lightning) would certainly suit him.”
Newnham said Joyful Fortune did not require a lot of work following The Everest on October 15.
As to how far Joyful Fortune can push on in the immediate future, Newnham was unsure, but he does not want to have to turn the sprinter out for a long break due to his history of knee problems.
“I’d probably just give him a little break,” Newnham said.
“He’s the sort of horse we have to keep busy, so he doesn’t require a long preparation to get him fit again because that was the issue after coming back from such a long time off this campaign.”
