Gilmore hits right target with Fortune
AUSTRALIAN trainer John Gilmore backed up stable star Tak Tai Fortune (4-1) to take his second trophy race in a fortnight with a slashing seven-length win in the $300,000 Directors' Cup at Taipa yesterday.
His demolition of a field that contained four Class One gallopers underlined that Tak Tai Fortune has become a major force on the Macau Jockey Club complex.
There was never a shadow of doubt about the outcome of the 1,200-metre event with Tak Tai Fortune jumping from barrier one and making all under claimer C. Cheang.
Two weeks ago Tak Tai Fortune captured the Mitsubishi Jebsen Cup and yesterday's resounding win will have the handicapper doing his sums this week. Evens favourite Deluxina finished second with Perfect Guest (6-1) taking third.
Crack New Zealand rider Peter Johnson, one of the most accomplished jockeys on the course, chalked up a double with topweight Polomyx (10-1) in the 1,800-metre third event and odds-on favourite Step Ahead (5-9) in Race Six.
Unwanted championship leader Leung Wing-ling, who is appealing against the decision not to license him next season, is keeping marginally ahead of former Hong Kong assistant trainer Paul Leung Che-pong in the title chase.
They had a winner apiece yesterday while Irish trainer Kevin Connolly produced the shock of the meeting when 80-1 chance Stone Age breezed up in the seventh race.
