Fortune Tree comes out tops in Selangor Gold Cup
Fortune Tree (NZ) (Ardrossan) has stamped himself as one of the top gallopers in Malaysia after getting the wood on his rivals in the RM300,000 ($130,000) Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) at Sungai Besi on Sunday.
The son of Ardrossan made winning look easy at his last-start five-length win in the Magic Millions Trophy (1200m) on Sept 13 when he took out his first race from three starts for trainer Cheng Han Yong.
Previously when under the care of Richard Lim, Fortune Tree first put his name on the roll of honours after his neck-victory in the first leg of the Malaysian Triple Crown series, the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) on March 29.
Now ridden by Shafiq Rizuan, who has won three times on him before, Fortune Tree again proved he was formidable in the second leg.
The $25 shot jumped swiftly from barrier 8 and hit the front not long after the gates opened, but a few other runners had designs on the lead too.
It was the Simon Dunderdale-trained Eruption (Xtravagant) who took up the bunny’s role in the back straight.
Banker’s First (So You Think) was the first to pounce when he sneaked up on the fence, while Banker’s Honor (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Anjou Crown (Exceed And Excel) motored home quickly on his outside.
Still, Fortune Tree was dogged and valiantly held on by three parts of a length from Banker’s Honor in the finish. Banker’s First finished another neck away in third.
The winning time was 1min 33.85sec.
Cheng was thrilled when Fortune Tree brought up his second success in the Selangor feature after Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn) won it in 2025.
He hopes to run Fortune Tree in the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m) at Sungai Besi on Dec 6.
And should the Lee Swee Eng-owned New Zealand-bred contest and win the final leg, he will become the first Triple Crown winner in Malaysia since the series’ inception in 2003.
“We would love to do it over the 2000m (in the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor) end of the year,” said Cheng, who has chalked up 43 wins this season.
“But I’ll see how he pulls up and works the next few weeks before we decide. It would be great if he becomes the first Triple Crown winner.
“He was already warmed up and very fit after his last win, so our plan was to sit him in midfield. Shafiq found a very good spot and rode a very good race.”
The Malaysian jockey has just returned to race-riding on the Sept 26 meeting after three months of suspension.
“He (Fortune Tree) jumped too quick at first, but did everything by himself,” said the former two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey.
“Around the turn, I know he still has a lot underneath and plenty of chances to win the race.
“When we had to go, I pressed the button and he just kept going.
“I think as he relaxes, he can get more ground and get there (2000m) eventually.”
Bred by Waikato Stud, Fortune Tree was purchased by Group 1 Bloodstock from the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $260,000.
Prior to racing in Malaysia Fortune Tree had five starts for one win from the Ciaron Maher stable under the name Jazzclub.
