Fortune Tree bounced back quickly from his unplaced outing in the Group 1 Coronation Cup (1600m) in Ipoh on Nov 16 to capture the Sungai Besi Autoworld Cup (1400m) at Sungai Besi today.

After back-to-back wins in Class 3, the Ardrossan galloper took on some top gallopers in Ipoh last time out and was not disgraced when he finished fifth after chasing the pacemaker. He was just over a length behind the winner Good Star at the line.

Back to his home base where he had recorded three wins and two minor placings in five starts previously, Fortune Tree picked up where he left off.

The first to break amongst the nine runners, Fortune Tree led the field until Pacific Warrior, drawn the widest barrier, swept past the field to take over the running.

Jockey Ridzuan Shafiq was all too pleased to concede the lead and parked Fortune Tree in second spot.

That’s where Fortune Tree stayed until the 400m when he ranged alongside the leader, then pulled away with 200m to go.

Big Union, winner of the Singapore Pools Trophy (1200m) two weeks ago when he came from last to win drawing away, was cutting down Fortune Tree’s lead in the final 100m but the leader held on to win by three-quarters of a length. Third was Energy Baby.

“He (Fortune Tree) has improved after his run in Ipoh and he’s more mature now,” said Shafiq, the regular ride of Fortune Tree.

Shafiq, however, elected to ride another of his regular mounts – Good Star – in the Coronation Cup which he won.

“The Coronation Cup was a stepping stone for Fortune Tree,” said trainer Richard Lim.