Joyful Fortune continues comeback journey in The Country Discovery at Echuca on Good Friday

Comeback galloper Joyful Fortune will chase consecutive wins in The Country Discovery following his long road back from injury.

Lindsay Park is well versed in preparing stakes winners, yet some wins are extra fulfilling.

Joyful Fortune’s victory in the Listed Hoysted Handicap (1000m) last month fits that criteria, the gelding saluted for the first time in almost 2½ years on March 29, some 878 days since his previous win at Flemington on November 3, 2022.

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A persistent knee injury had kept the one-time Everest runner sidelined, as he changed trainers multiples times before landing under the care of Ben, Will and JD Hayes midway through last year.

The son of Nicconi was sent to Hayes’ Pakenham stable, and a comeback journey started to gather momentum.

“It kept just re-aggravating, he was a horse that we had to manage,” Ben Hayes said.

“We found that the Pakenham facilities were really good for him, the tracks they have there and the access to the grass.

“He was very well managed down there which was great, and shows the diversity in our training operation.”

Joyful Fortune, who won two races during a seven-race stint in Hong Kong, finished third first-up in the Group 3 Standish Handicap in January – 26 months since his last race in 2022.

Joyful Fortune broke a long winning drought in the Hoysted Handicap at Flemington last month, Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

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He finished down the track in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning in February, but bounced back impressively to win the Hoysted next start, a result that was particularly satisfying for the Lindsay Park team.

“When you have to work hard to get them to the race and you are able to get a result for the owners, from a trainers perspective – its very satisfying,” he said.

“That’s where racing is amazing, if you get those great results, getting a horse back from bad injuries, then even winning, that’s where you get your biggest thrills.

“We have to thank the owners for being so patient and thank all the staff as well. For him to win that race was a big achievement and whatever he does now, we’ll be proud.”

Friday’s $500,000 The Country Discovery (1000m) at Echuca is Joyful Fortune’s next task, the eight-year-old, a five-time winner, impressed Hayes winning down the Flemington straight and has come through the Hoysted in great shape.

Joyful Fortune, who contested The Everest in 2022, returns to his brilliant best to enjoy Stakes success for the second time in his career ✨@lindsayparkrace@Brown_ethan8pic.twitter.com/uImRTtyUSg

— Racing.com (@Racing) March 29, 2025

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“We got him at the right time, and were able to get him sound,” he said.

“He’s been a horse that’s had really good ability and credit to the Pakenham staff, they’ve done a great job.

“He gets every opportunity to be very competitive again (Friday) and hopefully win a big prizemoney race which would be a big thrill for the owners as well.”

Another bold showing could see Joyful Fortune en route to Adelaide for the Group 1 $1m The Goodwood on May 10.

Stablemate Cinch was an impressive winner of last Saturday’s Group 3 Auraria Stakes at Morphettville, and is shaping as the filly to beat in the Group 1 $1m Australasian Oaks on day one of Adelaide’s racing carnival.

“That was a big a thrill, for her to travel, race so well and win very dominantly, I loved her work through the line,” Hayes said.

“She seems spot on to head toward the Australasian Oaks in two weeks, she’s pulled up fantastic and it’s full steam ahead.”

Originally published as Joyful Fortune continues comeback journey in The Country Discovery at Echuca on Good Friday