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
Goldrush Guru gearing up for the Australian Derby
The Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Goldrush Guru could be seen in three different states over the Autumn, with South Australian based trainer Andrew Gluyas keeping his options open in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Goldrush Guru has been back in work and could be seen in the Group 3 C S Hayes...
Carrington Stakes test looms for Accredited
Accredited has been one of the form horses of the summer period so far in Sydney with three-straight city wins since the start of December as he has progressed through the grades. Two of those wins have been at Randwick, over 1300m and 1400m respectively, and Pride is planning to give the...
Aztec Ruler does Stefan Vahala proud in Melbourne debut
Perth trainer Stefan Vahala is looking forward to Aztec Ruler's next assignment with enthusiasm and excitement after the five-year-old went close to scoring a coveted interstate win on the weekend. In a Melbourne first for both trainer and horse, Aztec Ruler had to play second fiddle in the Group 3 Standish...
Blinkers to boost Blanc De Noir
Blanc De Noir has had three starts for three third placings, and Michael Freedman is hoping the addition of blinkers will be the key in Wednesday’s Drinkwise Plate (1000m) for three-year-olds at Randwick Kensington. Freedman believes the Capitalist filly hasn’t been applying herself to the full extent late in her races, also opting...
Clinton McDonald favouring sprint trips with Angel Capital
Just because one horse from a mare can stay, it does not mean its sibling will be the same. Trainer Clinton McDonald is considering restricting Angel Capital to sprinting trips during the colt’s three-year-old autumn campaign, unlike his five-year-old half-brother Berkeley Square who is adept over a staying trip. Both horses are from the...
Group 1 stars abound at Warwick Farm trials
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller is set to unleash a number of his vast array of Group 1 talent at the barrier trials at Warwick Farm on Thursday. Cox Plate winning imported mare Via Sistina headlines seven individual Group 1 winners that will strut their stuff on Thursday morning. Via Sistina, who has not...
Venue changes for Melbourne Racing Club meetings
The recent fire in the Caulfield grandstand has resulted in the Melbourne Racing Club transferring two of their upcoming meetings. Following consultation with Racing Victoria, it was agreed to transfer the Caulfield Heath meeting on January 22 to Mornington while the meeting on the main Caulfield track on January 25 has...
Harrison expects hot beginning for Snow God
It’s taken longer than anticipated to get Snow God to the races, but trainer David Harrison is certain the wait will be worth it. The Playing God three-year-old steps out for his first official outing at Ascot on Wednesday and expectations are high he will make an impression on debut. Snow God...
Jockey Vlad Duric chases maiden Magic Millions win
After more than 30 years in the saddle, Vlad Duric will have his first ride in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the rescheduled Gold Coast meeting on Friday night. The Victorian raised jockey who plied his trade in Singapore for the best part of 15 years, has called Brisbane home for...
Star Perth mare headed for G1 Melbourne campaign
After indifferent winter form, Super Smink rebounded strongly and underlined her class when she finished top three in five of her six starts last campaign. The four-year-old mare won the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) in November and ran a sensational third in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) when storming...
