Fortuna’s EATONS GOLD makes it nine career wins in Singapore

Rising nine year old Eatons Gold (Jetspur-Road Ranger) showed in very emphatic fashion that he seems unaware of his age, when sprinting away to win the S$60,000 Bench Mark 67 event in the slick time of 59.1 seconds on Kranji’s Polytrack surface Sunday 2nd April.

” This horse has had an amazing career to date in Singapore”, said Fortuna NZ Stable Director, John Galvin, ” he had his first start on 1st July 2011, and in almost six seasons of racing, he has earned prize money in 51 of his 67 starts. He is no superstar, as he has not managed to win in Class 3, but is honest as the day is long, doesn’t know when to quit and always gives a great sight in his races. His recent form in much stronger company than he met tonight has been outstanding and pre-race I thought he represented a great winning opportunity.”

Galvin’s assessment appeared to be shared by the astute betting public who installed the eight year old a 3 to 1 favourite. Drawn in mid field, Eatons Gold bounced away from the start nicely, and Rider Rizuan Shafiq soon had his charge in a perfect one out, one back position. On turning for home, Shafiq eased his mount to the outside of the two leaders, hit the front and went to the line a length clear of his rivals.

Click HERE to view the race video replay

Acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$75,000, Eatons Gold  has been a wonderful money spinner for his ownership group of 24 individuals, with career earnings now in excess of S$500,000.

John Galvin revealed post race that Eatons Gold was booked to travel to Malaysia to see out his racing career in the care of Fortuna’s Malaysian based trainer, Sharee Hamilton. “There is no reason why this horse cannot continue to race for another couple of seasons” said Galvin, “and we thought that Malaysia would provide him the perfect opportunity to wind out his career before retiring.” 

Eatons Gold capped off a remarkable week for the New Zealand based Syndication company, Fortuna Ltd, with its 2yo star, Melody Belle, winning the prestigious Group One Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes emphatic fashion at New Zealand’s Awapuni race course and on Thursday the company acquiring the seven year old Australian galloper, Chance to Dance, who will race in the Fortuna colours in the A$2m Sydney Cup at Royal Randwick on Saturday 8th April. “There hasn’t been much sleep this past 72 hours,” quipped John Galvin.