Make A Fortune flashed positive signs with an eye-catching performance as a 73-1 outsider in the Class Three Panasonic Beauty Care Handicap (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Peter Ho Leung-trained three-year-old was a late promotion to the race after the scratching of Super Brand with lameness and he certainly showed what he is capable of. He was taken back from a wide gate to settle second from the rear for Ben So Tik-hung, angled off Euro Power into a three-deep position entering the straight, shifted further out off a tiring Champagne Days at the 200m and closed off nicely for a payday of HK$31,500 for a 31/4-length fifth behind Winning Edge. In two earlier runs over the shorter 1,200m trip, Make A Fortune showed he has an engine - finishing fifth to promising Tuxedo after encountering traffic on October 16 and ninth behind Gurus Dream on October 30. The horse was tackling the extra 200m, but off his overseas form, will be at his best over the mile where he performed with merit on four occasions in Ireland. Racing as One Up One Down for trainer Ger Lyons, he filled the frame in two polytrack runs at Dundalk from three outings before going well for apprentice Daniel Benson in a 13/4-length win over good-to-firm track in his final start in April at Leopardstown. He is an Irish-bred by smart European sprinter Chineur, a winner of seven sprints, including the Group Two King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix de Saint Georges at Longchamp in France; with only a local starter in Horseshoe Fortune - a winner at 1,400m and placed at a mile. His dam is the three-time 1,400m placed Sharp Victory mare Evictress, which makes Make A Fortune a half-brother to four winners, including Miss Sally - a six-time winner up to 1,400m and double Group winner in Ireland - and Quazar - a 10-time winner over the jumps. His third dam Native Nurse was a quality producer with six winners from 10 starters, including the star mare Love Sign in the US - a winner of 16 races, Melodist - a Group One Irish Oaks winner; Fatih, a Grade Two winner, and three other black-type performers. Make A Fortune is progressing well and, according to his pedigree, should be best at a mile and possibly handle further. He has also raced on the polytrack and, with some proven American blood on the dirt, merits attention when stepping out on the all-weather track. Wilfred Ng has had good success as an owner with successful stints with Money Man, Victory Treasure and Noble Victory and Make A Fortune will be adding his name to the win list.
