Trainer Richard Lim might have won his first Group 1 with Fortune Tree in the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) today (see separate report), but he also showcased a galloper who could bring him more silverware in the months ahead.

Fortune Rising battled to victory in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Trophy (Supreme B – 1200m) at Sungai Besi today, after which both winning jockey Ridzuan Shafiq and Lim piled the praise on the Alabama Express galloper.

“The sky is the limit for this horse and he is the best horse I have ridden thus far in Malaysia,” declared Shafiq.

High priase indeed for a jockey who won the Selangor Mile on Lucky Magic and Coronation Cup on Good Star last year.

Fortune Rising was a very promising juvenile in Australia, winning his first two runs at Randwick and Rosehill. These were followed by two placings which included (third in) the Group 2 Todman Stakes at Randwick, earning him a crack at the Group 1 Golden Slipper.

But the gelding finished down the field in the world’s richest race for two-year-olds.

For some reason, the A$220,000 yearling failed to reproduce any of that sort of form in five starts at three and was subsequently put up for auction and sold for A$105,000 at an online sale.

Coming over to Malaysia has apparently rejuvenated the gelding.

Fortune Rising won his debut three weeks ago, beating Navaree in a Max Two over 1200m.

He jumped well out of the gates and was second early before Banker’s Pretty and Big Union both passed the early leader Banker’s Emperor. Fortune Rising was sitting pretty in fourth place.

Big Union ranged alongside Banker’s Pretty at the top of the straight and they led from Banker’s Emperor and Hasten. Fortune Rising lost ground making the turn into the straight and was fifth into the straight.

Banker’s Emperor, Big Union and Banker’s Pretty were in a line in front at the 200m. Behind them was another line of four: Fortune Rising, Pacific Pery, Hasten and Strong Dragon.

Fortune Rising drew away from that line to collar Banker’s Emperor at the 100m, then went on to win by 3/4-length. Third was Pacific Pery.

“He (Fortune Rising) went off the bit when I was trying to make up ground around the 500m and I had no choice but the take him wide,” said Shafiq.

“In the straight, he knew exactly when he had to do and it was him who brought me home in the closing stages.

“He is one smart horse.”

Lim, meanwhile, said there is no suitable race for Fortune Rising next month so he will give the gelding a break.

“He is a very good horse. After I bought him I had to send him to New Zealand to spell for three months before bringing him up here (to Malaysia).”