OUR RIVER DANCER wins again in Singapore

Fortuna’s 5yo Gelding OUR RIVER DANCER (Danehill Dancer-Distinctly) put in a tough performance in Singapore today, Sunday 13th September. A last start winner by five lengths two weeks ago, OUR RIVER DANCER had felt the handicappers lash with eight ratings points (4kgs) added. Starting in the same grade, Trainer Mark Walker decided to claim 4kgs by engaging the promising young apprentice CK NG. Drawn 11 from the 1600 metre mark on the Polytrack, there is only a 100 metre run to the first turn. Instructions to the young rider were very clear; go forward and try and lead. OUR RIVER DANCER began well but there were a number of horses inside him also vying for the lead. Undeterred, NG kept pressing on with the horse and finally hit the lead at about the 1000 metre mark. Turning for home, the horse was traveling well, but the swoopers were coming and at the 200 metre mark it looked like he might be collared, but found enough to go to the line winning by half a length. Click HERE to see the replay.

Fortuna Director John Galvin who was present on track along with his wife Jessica, was quick to give praise to trainer Mark Walker. “Our River Dancer has always been inclined to pull hard in his trackwork, so a couple of months ago, Mark changed his training regime with less trackwork and a lot more work on the treadmill and the swimming pool. It seems to have made all of the difference and the horse now boasts two wins, a 2nd, a 3rd and a 5th from his last five starts.”

Acquired for Fortuna by David Ellis at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale, OUR RIVER DANCER is raced by an ownership group of 26 individuals and his now won over S$68k in prize money.