Exciting Perth sprinter Oscar’s Fortune is gearing up for a return to the race track.
The Dion Luciani-trained gelding has a planned jump out at Flemington on Friday, his first official appearance ahead of an ambitious Melbourne Spring campaign.
Oscar’s Fortune created a big impression in Perth, winning five races and placing four times from ten starts with prizemoney reaching a touch over a million dollars.
The Rich Enuff speedster made a blistering start to his racing career with four straight wins, before seconds in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
On his return in the autumn, Oscar’s Fortune added the Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m) to his resume and gained many admirers when a gallant third behind star sprinters, Overpass and Amelia’s Jewel in the $5 million The Quokka (1200m).
Oscar’s Fortune has not been seen since finishing a credible fifth in the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide last May, numerically his lowest race and the only time the four-year-old had not finished in the first three throughout his career.
Kevin Fowler, who owns breeding and racing operation, Loloma Farms, bought Oscar’s Fortune for $5,500 as a yearling.
He says Oscar’s Fortune is progressing nicely for a return to racing, likely to be at Caulfield next month.
“He’s at Flemington now and will jump out on Friday,” Fowler said to Racing WA.
“All is going well at this stage and fingers crossed.
“The Schillaci (1100m) on the 12th and there’s another race on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley.
“Then the Champion Sprint (1200m) on the last day of the carnival is the grand final.
“That’s the plan and fingers crossed.
“Everyone is rapped with the way he is going.
“He’s come into Flemington and seems to have grown up a little bit.
“Everything is going well.”
Fowler is also upbeat about stable mate, Shell Bell, a last start winner at Pinjarra six months ago.
“We’ve got Shell Bell there as a partner,” Fowler said.
“She had a lot of feet problems here (Perth).
“I’ll give her one go over there and if it doesn’t work out, I’ll just mate her.
“But, at this stage, she’s going exceptional as well.
“Hopefully she can hold it together.”
The Schillaci Stakes is run at Caulfield on October 12 and the Champions Sprint at Flemington on November 9.
Damian Lane will partner Oscar’s Fortune in Friday’s jump out.
