Joyful Fortune set for 2025 Standish Handicap return
Former Hong Kong galloper and one-time Everest contender Joyful Fortune will return to the races on Saturday after more than two years off the scene, set to line up in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
Joyful Fortune started his career with Kim Waugh at Gosford but was sold to Hong Kong before his debut and raced under David Hall and then Tony Cruz, returning to Australia under the care of Mark Newnham in 2022 where he won twice down the Flemington straight.
He briefly joined Ciaron Maher in early 2024 before being transferred to Ben, Will & JD Hayes at Lindsay Park and the stable are confident they’ve done everything they can to get the 2022 Everest runner rehabilitated from knee issues that have caused the long absence.
“The owners have been incredibly patient, the vet at Pakenham whose name is John Russell has done a massive job getting this horse sound and he’s trialled up super,” JD Hayes said.
“He’s got quality oozing, he ran an Everest, he was a good Hong Kong horse and if he brings his best he’ll be hard to beat.”
Hayes praised the entire Lindsay Park operation for their work in rehabilitating Joyful Fortune, who won the Listed Century Stakes (1000m) at Flemington at his most recent start in November 2022.
“We had to really utilise our facilities at Euroa; that’s why the horse got sent to us with the water walkers and the hills and the treadmills and it seems to have worked really well with this horse,” Hayes said.
“He’s actually spent all his time building up at our Pakenham base, Sarah Fannin the assistant trainer down there has done a super job, and it’s a credit to the Pakenham training facility as well that he’s been able to get through the trial stage and now we’re at the races and hopefully we’re able to be cashing some cheques.”
While Hayes admits it’s an unknown bringing a horse back from such a long spell, he’s confident Joyful Fortune, who is rated a $9.50 chance with Harry Coffey aboard, is ready to fire on Saturday having won four jump outs over the past few months.
“Trialled up super, he’s nice and sound in himself, we’ll just see how he handles race pressure but awfully excited to get him to the races,” Hayes said.
“I think he’ll be there…it’s always caution with horses with niggling little issues but everything he’s shown us, the way he’s trialled, I think he’d be hard to beat.”
More Racing News
Derby options for the Thedoctoroflove
The 2000m three-year-old race on this Flemington fixture has been a good pointer to Derbies in past years, and Thedoctoroflove could potentially target a staying feature in the coming months. Bold Soul and Dunkel have won this race in the past two years before winning next month’s Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m), while...
It’sourtime too tough in Standish Handicap
It was a case of returning to his happy place for Danny O’Brien’s consistent sprinter It’Sourtime, who won his fourth black type event over the ‘straight six’ at Flemington, narrowly prevailing in Saturday’s Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m). Ridden by Billy Egan, It’sourtime ($4.60) held off the late challenge of Aztec Ruler ($14)...
English jockey Harry Davies gets first Australian winner
Harry Davies has broken through for the first winner of his Australian summer riding stint, with the young English jockey steering two-year-old filly Kujenga to an all-the-way win on debut at Wyong. Davies began his Sydney stint last month and had notched five placings, including four seconds, in his first 29 rides and...
Magic Millions raceday abandoned due to weather
Danny O’Brien’s reliable sprinter, It’Sourtime, proved once again why Flemington’s straight six is his happy hunting ground, claiming his fourth black-type victory in the Group 3 <a href="https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/standish-handicap">Standish Handicap (1200m)</a> on Saturday. Guided by Billy Egan, It’Sourtime ($4.60) showcased his grit, fending off a late charge from Aztec Ruler ($14) to...
Collett rides Waterford to feature Wyong win
A brilliant ride by Alysha Collett guided the Chris Waller-trained Waterford back to winning ways in the inaugural $500,000 The Lakes at Wyong on Saturday. From a wide barrier, Collett positioned Waterford perfectly, settling him in fourth, one off the fence, before inching closer as the field approached the home turn. Adam...
Tony Gollan going for more Magic Millions success
Tony Gollan will be aiming to win his second Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) in three years and will be represented by La Bella Boom, Hi Barbie and Formula Rossa. La Bella Boom is the market pick of the trio having won the Aquis Gold Pearl (1100m) on Saturday at the meeting transferred...
Suitable trip first-up for Kalasec
There is no doubt that Kalasec is a consistent horse as far as Richard Jolly is concerned, if only he won more often. Jolly has, like many of his training peers, had a busy time on at the Magic Millions sales this week but he is looking forward to his team stepping...
Flemington set to suit Prince Eric
Archie Alexander is hoping to secure a win in former import Prince Eric’s first Australian campaign when he lines up in a benchmark 84 over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday. The four-year-old son of Time Test has run third in all three Australian starts and Alexander has rued some misfortune, with unlucky...
Wright form to be a 2025 Magic Millions Classic chance
This time last year, Adrian Bott was gearing up for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a hot favourite. Bott was co-trainer of Storm Boy, who confirmed his status as the star juvenile to that point of the season with a dominant win in the $3 million race on the Gold Coast. Unfortunately...
Bjorn Baker likely to keep Iowna Merc at home rather than Standish Handicap
While a final decision is yet to be made, Bjorn Baker is leaning to running in form gelding Iowna Merc in a benchmark 100 at Wyong over 1350m, rather than the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington. While Baker admits 1350m is a query for the son of Winning Rupert, a last...
