Holland's good fortune shared with best mate Jimmy
DARRYLL Holland resumed winning service in Hong Kong in the final event at Sha Tin yesterday but was more delighted for good friend Jimmy Fortune who had broken his winless streak a race earlier. Holland notched up his first winner as a retained jockey for Geoff Lane when Way Ahead (5-1) made it two on end after a faultless, front-running display that displayed the English rider's excellent judgment of pace. It was also the second leg of a winning double for Australian trainer Lane who had earlier seen stable claimer James K.C. Chan get up in the last few strides on Auto Focus (5-1) to touch off outsider Holy Terror (35-1) in the 1,000-metre third event on the card. But Holland, pleased to get his first winner after a blank debut on Wednesday night, was quick to congratulate Fortune who rode a particularly strong finish to get On The Beat (12-1) up in a tricky Class Four contest. On The Beat was former champion trainer David Hill's first winner of the season.
Said Holland: 'I am very pleased to have won with Way Ahead, he gave me a good ride and he's a nice horse. But I was absolutely delighted for Jimmy because he has had a tough time of it. 'He really deserves the win because he has worked hard enough to get one.' Hill was equally pleased for the young Irish rider and said: 'He has done a lot of work for me in the mornings and I have put him on a couple that had chances and he has done nothing wrong. 'He rode On The Beat in the first race of the season and the form of that has worked out quite well. He is a gutsy little horse who comes from behind and Jimmy got the best out of him.' Fortune took the overdue win in his stride but said: 'It's a bit of a relief. I have really enjoyed Hong Kong, I think it is a great place and the racing is super. But it is all so much better if you are riding winners and it was good to finally get one.' Way Ahead's win under Holland was clear cut and the four-year-old is not done with yet.
He had looked well classified when winning under Tony Cruz last time but easily passed this latest test. He lengthened stride halfway down the straight and had them gasping behind. He won by a half length from Rajput (6-1), who tried for 100 metres to get on terms, with a neck back to Super Goal (6-1), who was also given every possible chance. River Garonne (10-1), with Fortune pushing him right out, finished on their heels in fourth place but the winner was simply too good. Evens favourite Belarus was all the rage in On The Beat's race and finished fourth after losing his position coming to the turn. It was stablemate Amazing Grace (25-1) who eventually threatened the winner, ranging up and going stride for stride over the last 100 yards but Fortune, who is exceptionally strong in a finish, was not to be denied and kept On The Beat right up to the mark.