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Trainer David Hill’s decision to go back to basics with Royal Fortune paid instant dividends on Sunday.
The Englishman had the Major Cadeaux three-year-old for just the one run, which turned out to be his first taste of defeat in three starts (he was previously handled by Leticia Dragon for two wins in as many starts).
The experienced horseman straightaway cottoned on to the reason for the below-par run – seventh to the dead-heating pair of Speedy Dragon and Golden Sword. A sensitive mouth, or “no mouth” in racing speak – quickly prompting some corrective action for the next start in the $60,000 Class 4 race over 1000m on the Polytrack.
“He’s got no mouth at all and gets very wound up. We’ve been working on his mouth,” he said.
“I had to change his gear and put a special snaffle bit and a cross-noseband on him. I pretty much got off the harsh stuff.
“He relaxed a little bit better behind the leaders, but he is still learning how to settle. Once he gets his mouth right, he will get more ground, up to 1400m and can become a very good horse.”
Royal Fortune (Saifudin Ismail) was straight onto the pace from the get-go, shadowing race-leader Mastermind (Benny Woodworth) before sweeping past to hit the front at the top of the straight.
A very game Lign Em Up (John Powell) chipped away at the margin but could only whittle it down to three-quarter length on the line while debutant Unsurpassed (Shafiq Rizuan) with whom Royal Fortune shared joint $14 favouritism, ran on well from the rear to finish third another head away. The winning time was 59.31 seconds for the 1000m speed dash.
Saifudin, who has now been aboard Royal Fortune at all the four starts, agreed he was able to harness the English-bred gelding better with Hill’s equipment tinkering.
“He jumped well and I was able to go forward. He’s a much improved horse with the new gear,” said the Malaysian jockey.
“He travelled relaxed throughout and kicked away when he hit the front in the straight.”
With that third win, Royal Fortune has already brought his stakes earnings past the $100,000 for his owners, the RT Stable.