Trainer John Size wasn't too concerned when Modern Fortune drew wide over the all-weather sprint course and the gate paved the way to the five-year-old's maiden victory yesterday.
Modern Fortune (Karis Teetan) drifted back early from barrier 10 but, with some good speed ahead of him, the gelding tacked on to the main bunch approaching the turn and was able to flow into the race for a tradesmanlike win.
"The thing about drawing out was that he didn't have to compete for the speed early and Karis was able to ride his own race, and if you look at the stats for the winning draws on the dirt 1,200m course, the outside barriers have a better record than the inside gates, probably for that reason," Size said.
"Modern Fortune has been capable and consistent on the all-weather and now he has persevered long enough to win one and maybe he can win another one."
The gelding had finished a satisfactory fourth at his first run back from the summer break behind Trillion Treasure, but Teetan said he felt the horse had come on considerably for that race.
"That day, he came into the race well enough but the last 200m you could feel he'd run out of puff but the way he improved was typical of John's training today," he said.
"At the same stage of the race, coming to the home straight, he picked up and came into it like he really wanted to go on with things this time. Even going to start today, he felt more switched on and I knew he'd run well. He does feel like a stronger horse this season generally, so I would not be surprised to see him win again."
Teetan echoed Size's thoughts on the benefits of the wide draw for Modern Fortune.
"Sure. If we draw better, I probably would have to chase him to hold a position but instead he got to relax and enjoy himself early then come into it when it suited him," Teetan said.
