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Federation put in a controlled, no-nonsense effort to secure his fifth career win in Singapore in the Class 4 race (1200m) on the turf at Kranji on Sunday.
The win was also a bittersweet moment for one of his New Zealand-based owners of the Fortuna Federation Syndicate, 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, Nicholas Child, as Federation went past the winning post.
The Fortuna Federation Syndicate is an ownership group of 42 individuals, mainly New Zealand-based but with representation in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Laos and France.
The five-year-old gelding by Written Tycoon had not seen the winner's circle since November 2019, due to a combination of events, such as a foot issue, the COVID-19 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's leading apprentice Hakim Kamaruddin and a solid, rather unlucky second placing at his previous start, three weeks earlier, over the same trip and 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, as 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 three quarter of a length over the fast-finishing Mr Hooper.
Trainer Mark Walker, who saddled 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 last year or so due to a combination of events," said the three-time Singapore champion trainer.
"He has a great team of owners who I'm sure will enjoy their success and I thank them for their patience."
Watching the race from his New Zealand home, Fortuna Syndications director John Galvin 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," said Galvin.
Federation was acquired by Galvin on the advice of Walker at the Inglis Digital sale in May 2018 for A$90,000. Federation has now accumulated S$233,000 in prize money for connections.
