Fortuna three year old Marcus Antonius(Sepoy-Panda’s Turn) broke through for his Maiden win in Singapore over 1700m today in dramatic fashion – drawn nicely in barrier 2, this horse, who has tended to get back in the running and then run on strongly, was able to utilise the good barrier draw to possy up on the rail just behind the speed, in the hands of leading Singapore apprentice K Hakim, claiming 2kilograms. On turning for home, Marcus was well positioned to challenge, however one of the race leaders, Fountain Of Fame, wasn’t going to give in easy and kicked again with a hundred metres to go –  although it looked as if the fast finishing Marcus Antonius would not be able to make up the ground, one final effort by both horse and rider saw him prevail in the last stride winning  by a nose.

Click HERE to see the race replay

Trainer Mark Walker was a very satisfied man after the race  “this horse does have ability but needs distance and is also tended to get back in the running and leave himself a difficult task to win, so today with the good draw, I decided to put the blinkers on and it all worked out perfectly although it was a nailbiting finish.”

Marcus Antonius – Maiden Win – Singapore 15th May 2021

Fortuna Director John Galvin, currently in Queensland, overseeing stable star Melody Belle‘s final career race and sale at the upcoming Magic Millions broodmare sale, also expressed satisfaction “we have needed to be very patient with his horse – he’s definitely a staying type and gets back in his races, but today with a nice draw he was able to race handier to the speed and although he did need every ounce of Hakim’s 2 kg claim he managed to nail it in the last stride”

Marcus Antonius was acquired by John Galvin on Mark Walker‘s recommendation at the 2019 Magic Millions 2yos In Training sale for the sum of A$60,000

He is raced by the Fortuna Marcus Antonius Syndicate – an ownership group consisting of 33 individuals