Fortune to partner Aussie ace

/ Editor / 29 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Jimmy Fortune, runaway winner of the 'Top Jockey' award at Royal Ascot last week, has been snapped up by Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse to partner her start sprinter Bentley Biscuit in Newmarket's Darley July Cup.

Many observers felt that regular partner Nash Rawiller gave his mount an injudicious ride in the Kings Stand Stakes at the royal meeting where the six-year-old finished well fown the field.

Connections have now moved to secure the services of the red-hot Fortune for the six furlong Group 1 event.

Tania Rouse, assistant trainer of Bentley Biscuit, explained to the Racing Post: "Gai was pretty keen to get Jimmy, Jamie Spencer or Johnny Murtagh as Nash has had to return home where there are a lot of two-year-olds to get ready.

"Jamie and Johnny have other commitments but Jimmy was available. I'm hoping to organise him to have a sit on the horse on Saturday morning."

Asset and Sakhees Secret currently share favouritism in Betfair's ante-post market for the race at 4.6. Bentley Biscuit is third in at 11, with Soldier's Tale 12.5, US Ranger 14, Red Clubs 14.5 and it's 17 bar.