FEDERATION scores his fifth win in Singapore Sunday 7th February

Federation (5yo gelding by Written Tycoon-Bloomingdale Miss) put in a controlled, no-nonsense effort at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse Sunday 7th February, to secure his 5th career win in Singapore in the Class 4 1200 meter event on the Turf. Federation had not seen the winners circle since November 2019, due to a combination of events, such as a foot issue, the Covid lockdown and being balloted out on four occasions since racing resumed in July 2020. However the stars seem to be aligned for him pre-race with the ace barrier draw, a 3 kg claim from Singapore leading apprentice K Hakim and a solid, rather unlucky second placing at his  previous start, three weeks earlier,  the same trip, same grade. Sent out an odds on favourite by punters, Federation was beautifully ridden by Hakim, settling two spots back on the rail in the running – always travelling nicely, it seemed that he would need some luck to find a gap on turning, but conveniently the leader rolled off the rail, Federation dived through, took the lead and never looked in doubt over the last 200m securing the win by 3/4 of a length over the fast finishing Mr Hooper.

Click HERE to see the race replay

“Federation” – 5th win at Kranji – 07 February 2021

Te Akau Racing Stables trainer, Mark Walker, who trained three winners on the day, was effusive in his praise of Federation “He’s a very nice horse, who has had a good record in Singapore but has not had all favours this last year or so due to a combination of events – he has a great team of owners who I’m sure will enjoy their success and I thank them for their patience”

Fortuna Syndications Director, John Galvin, watching the race from his New Zealand home, was also a very happy man “That was a great result for the horse and his ownership team –  he’s been knocking on the door and now he gets the result with a very nice ride by Hakim – full credit to Mark Walker who has had to steer the horse though some issues.”

Federation was acquired by John Galvin on the advice of Mark Walker at the Inglis Digital sale in May 2018 for A$90,000. Federation has now accumulated S$233,000 in prize money for the Fortuna Federation Syndicate, an ownership group of 42 individuals, mainly NZ based but with representation in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Laos and France.

The win was a bitter sweet moment for one of of his New Zealand based owners, Steve Wiltshire who, a couple of days before the race had suffered the loss of his partner, Georgina Symons, a point noted by Singapore race commentator, Nick Childs, as FEDERATION went past the winning post.