Three-year-old star Bettor Fortune (Bettors Delight) improved his prospects for the upcoming Western Australia Derby when he easily outpaced his rivals to beat Group 3’s Western Gateway at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.
Bettor Fortune was undefeated in his previous six appearances and was on the outside of the second row, but was still the favored candidate.
Lincoln Lou showed brilliant early speed to easily take the lead, but then took the course as Chase Me challenged at the front.
Deni Roberts was able to send Bettor Fortune into a one out and two back path, while stablemate Belly Up enjoyed the one out and one back path.
BETTER FORTUNE OCTOBER 17 REPEAT
Chase Me tried to pull away on the final corner, but Belly Up issued its challenge at that point, although Bettor Fortune unleashed a strong burst and was simply too strong over Belly Up at the finish, with Chase Me holding onto third place.
Bettor Fortune is trained by the powerful team of Greg and Skye Bond who also prepared the runner Belly Up.
Deni Roberts was certainly pleased with the effort.
“That was really good. It was quite slow at first. He probably had no right to get into it, but he’s just so fast. He doesn’t feel like he’s going that fast, but you’ll see he’s got a huge stride on him. Yeah, he’s going over the ground. Look, he was really good tonight. A little bit enthusiastic in stages, but he’s definitely coming close to being a really nice horse.”
“I was a little concerned about how big his move would come to Gloucester Park, but he came around really well.”
“He hasn’t missed a beat. He’s going to make my life a little easier. I can drive him no matter how the race goes.”
Bettor Fortune’s mother Fortune Lover was not yet raced, but she was a star, leaving behind the former brilliant speedster Vampiro (1.52.6) and 29 wins, as well as Mister Fortunia and Be Rock Hard. Fortune Lover’s dam Under Cover Lover was an excellent mare, coming second in the Victoria Oaks and winning the El Dorado Fillies classic at Moonee Valley.
The Group 1 $200,000 Western Australia Derby will be held at Gloucester Park on October 31. Just a few weeks ago, Cyclone Jordy was considered a certainty due to some amazing feats. Unfortunately for his connections, he suffered a tendon injury and is out of the fight.
But given the way Bettor Fortune has raced in his seven unbeaten Australian performances, he looks like the one to beat. It’s hard to see his stablemate Belly Up or Chase Me turning the tables.
If there was an upset, Runkle Crunch, who finished less than five meters from the winner, could be the one to watch. He was held up in the home leg and although he is yet to win in Australia, the son of Captain Crunch will be well prepared for the Derby by his trainer Aiden De Campo.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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