Race days

Sir Invibcible to commence Three Year Old season at Timaru Thursday 4th Sept


PLACE: Timaru
DATE: 4th September
RACE: 6
TIME: 2:50pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 10
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Tomihiro Sasada

Comment from Mark Walker: He has been working well and he has drawn 10 out of 10 on a slow track, senior jockey Tomihiro Sasada takes the mount, I feel he would get away with the slow track conditions at this stage but if it got any worse we may have to reassess and save him for another day, Tomihiro should be able to position him well in field from the wide barrier draw and with the track the way it is might be the place to be, he is bright and well and with a bit of luck in the running I think he will be a good place chance and he will take improvement from the run being fresh up.

Volkarrie to commence Three Year Old season at Timaru Thursday 4th Sept


PLACE: Timaru
DATE: 4th September
RACE: 6
TIME: 2:50pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 6
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Samantha Collett (claims 1kg)

Comment from Mark Walker: He has been working well and he has drawn 6 out of 10 on a slow track, stable apprentice jockey Samantha Collett takes the mount and 1kg off his back, I feel he would get away with the slow track conditions at this stage but if it got any worse we may have to reassess and save him for another day, Samantha knows him well and should be able to position him well in field from the good barrier draw, he is bright and well and with a bit of luck in the running I think he will be a good place chance and he will take improvement from the run being fresh up.

Elusive Fortune to debut Te Rapa 3rd September


PLACE: Te Rapa
DATE: 3rd September
RACE: 1
TIME: 11:50am
DISTANCE: 1100m
DRAW: 7
WEIGHT: 57kg
JOCKEY: Opie Bosson

Comment from Mark Walker: He has been working well and he has drawn 7 out of 17 but they only run 14 on a dead track, senior stable jockey Opie Bosson takes the mount, I was very pleased with his work on Friday morning in company with stable mate Minstrel Court, Opie should be able to position him well in the field from the good barrier draw, he will be better once he steps up over more ground and this is quite a strong field, however he is bright and well and with a bit of luck in the running I think he will be a strong each way chance.

Sahara Storm to debut at Matamata 2nd July

PLACE: Matamata
DATE: 2nd July
RACE: 4
TIME: 1:55pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 2
WEIGHT: 55.5kg
JOCKEY: Samantha Collett (claims 1kg)

Sahara Storm has been working well, she has drawn 2 out of 8 on a heavy track, stable apprentice jockey Samantha Collett takes the mount and 1kg off her back, she has done well since winning her trial at Paeroa 24th June. This race should suit her as she has the home track advantage and Samantha Collett should be able to position her well in the field from the good barrier draw.

He's Licarocket starting At Otaki Sunday 22nd July

PLACE: Otaki
DATE: 22nd June
RACE: 3
TIME: 12:10pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 14
WEIGHT: 59kg
JOCKEY: Daniel Stackhouse (claims 3kg)

He's Licarocket has been working well and he has drawn 14 out of 16 on a slow track, stable apprentice jockey Daniel Stackhouse takes the mount and claims 3kg. He has come through his last start win in great fettle. He has drawn wide, but has good gate speed and the jockey should be able to position him nicely enough in the field from the wide barrier draw.

He's Licarocket's Main mission this season will be at Otaki on the 26th of July in the (Listed) Ryder Stakes.

He's Licarocket to start Te Rapa Saturday 7th June

PLACE: Te Rapa
DATE: 7th June
RACE: 1
TIME: 12:10pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 1
WEIGHT: 57kg
JOCKEY: Daniel Stackhouse (claims 4kg)
He's Licarocket has been working well and he has drawn 1 out of 12 on a dead track, Te Akau stable apprentice jockey Daniel Stackhouse takes the mount and 4kg off his back. From the ace draw the jockey should be able to position him well, he is the highest rated horse in the race and with some luck in the running he should be a good prospect on the day.

He's Licarocket to start at Matamata Saturday 10th May

PLACE: Matamata
DATE: 10th May
RACE: 3
TIME: 12:34pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 9
WEIGHT: 58kg
JOCKEY: Samantha Collett (claims 1kg)

He's Licarocket resuming at Tauranga Saturday 19th April

PLACE: Tauranga
DATE: 19th April
RACE: 2 DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 12
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Samantha Collett (claims 1kg)

Volkarrie to step up 12th April

Volkarrie (Volksraad-Harriet) takes a big step up in class when he contests the Listed 2yo event, the Selwyn River Stud Champagne Stakes over 1200 metres at Riccarton on Saturday. Up against a very good field, Volkarrie's task has not been made any easier by drawing 11 at the barrier. However, the one win gelding has impressed his handlers with his relaxed approach to his education and training.

" We would be very happy to see him run into the money" said Syndicate Manager, John Galvin. "He is still a very inexperienced racehorse and this is a big jump in class, but I expect him to be running on strongly at the finish."

PLACE: Riccarton
DATE: 12th April
RACE: 6
TIME: 2:10pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 11
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Samantha Collett

Volkarrie heads to Otaki 27th March

The Fortuna No (1) Syndicate 2yo Volkarrie (Volksraad-Harriet) steps out for his 2nd race day start in an 800 metre Maiden 2yo event at Otaki. The nicely bred half brother to the smart galloper Woburn, made his debut (5th) at Te Aroha in December on a wet track, conditions which clearly did not suit him. He has since been spelled and has been impressing his handlers with his trackwork in recent weeks.

PLACE: Otaki
DATE: 27th March
RACE: 2
TIME: 12:54pm
DISTANCE: 800m
DRAW: 4
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Samantha Collett (claims 1kg)

Sir Invincible to contest Carnival Bonus Race at Ellerslie 1st March

Sir Invincible steps out at Ellerslie this Saturday with his connections eyes firmly fixed on the $100,000 bonus payable on this race. See News page for more detail.

PLACE: Ellerslie
DATE: 1st March
RACE: 5
TIME: 2:42pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 12
WEIGHT: 57kg
JOCKEY: Jason Waddell

Tell A Tale to contest Fairview Ford Slipper (Listed) at Matamata

Tell A Tale takes a significant step up in class Saturday 23rd February in contesting this event. See News page for futher detail

PLACE: Matamata
DATE: 23rd February
RACE: 5
TIME: 2:35pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 8
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Troy Harris

Tell a Tale to start at Hawera

The handsome two year old gelding, TELL A TALE (Tale of the Cat-Cheeky Veronika) will step out for his second race day start at Hawera Thursday 31st January. Tell A Tale impressed with a strong performance for third at his raceday debut at Taupo on 31st December. Race day details below.

PLACE: Hawera
DATE: 31st January
RACE: 3
TIME: 2:02pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 2
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Troy Harris

Sir Invincible in Karaka Million Field-Ellerslie 27th January

Sir Invincible's horror run of bad draws continued with him drawing 13 in Sunday's inaugural running of the Karaka Million. He may well start from 11 given that two of the runners drawn inside him are on the ballot. Details are below.

PLACE: Ellerslie
DATE: 27th January
RACE: 5
TIME: 7:23pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 13
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Hayden Tinsley

Sir Invincible to contest Eclipse Stakes

Sir Invincible joins his stable mate, He's Licarocket, in the Stella Artois Eclipse Stakes (Group Three) over 1200 metres at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

The handsome son of Invincible Spirit continued his run of bad luck when it comes to barrier draws by drawing eleven in a field of eleven.

"The draw makes it tough" said Syndicate Manager, John Galvin, " but we have Noel Harris in the saddle and Noel is a master at getting horses home late in the piece."

PLACE: Ellerslie
DATE: 1st January
RACE: 3
TIME: 2:10pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 11
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Noel Harris

He's Licarocket to appear in Eclipse Stakes New Year's Day at Ellerslie

He's Licarocket, a winner at his only race day start to date, steps out in the Group Three Stella Artois Eclipse Stakes over 1200 metres on New Year's Day. Drawing eight at the barrier, the 2 year old son of Easy Rocking has New Zealand's leading jockey, Michael Walker aboard.

PLACE: Ellerslie
DATE: 1st January
RACE: 3
TIME: 2:10pm
DISTANCE: 1200m
DRAW: 8
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Michael Walker

Tell A Tale to debut Taupo Sunday 30th December

Tell A Tale (Tale of The Cat-Cheeky Veronika) steps out for his raceday debut this coming Sunday. This athletic two year old gelding impressed when winning at the Cambridge Trials on 18th December and has continued to impress in his trackwork since. Drawn well at barrier two, Te Akau Stables apprentice, Troy Harris takes the mount.
Race details below.

PLACE: Taupo,
DATE: 30th December
RACE: 3
TIME: 1:35pm
DISTANCE: 1100m
DRAW: 2
WEIGHT: 56kg
JOCKEY: Troy Harris

Sir Invincible set for resumption at Awapuni Saturday 22nd December

Two time winner Sir Invincible resumes his racing carrer in the two year old event at Awapuni (Race 2 at 12.45pm) Saturday 22nd December.

The son of Invincible Spirit has been gelded since his last start in the Wellesley Stakes at Trentham at the end of October and has bloomed since. His trackwork has been first class of late and he is well placed in Saturday's event.

The only negative is his barrier draw, having drawn nine in a field of eleven. However, rider Samantha Collet who claims 2kg, should be able to use his early gate speed to position him nicely in the race.

Sir Invincible is eligible for the Karaa Million event to be raced at Ellerslie 27th January and with his two wins to date is already high on the order of entry iinto the race. More success this coming Saturday would give connections a lot of confidence that they had a strong contender for the Million Dollar event.

Volkarrie has tough draw to overcome Te Aroha Wed 19th

The Gods were not smiling on Team Te Akau when the draw was made for the Two Year old event over 900 metres, Race 2, at 12.50pm Wednesday 19th December. The Fortuna No 1 Syndicate runner, Volkarrie, making his race day debut, drew the outside (maximum field size 12) while the other Te Akau runner, Noble Manor, drew two inside Volkarrie. 2007 Champion Apprentice, Troy Harris, takes the mount on Volkarrie.

A feast of upcoming starts for Fortuna Horses

Tell a Tale (Tale of The Cat-Cheeky Veronika) makes his 2nd trial appearance Cambridge racetrack Tuesday 18th Decmber. Volkarrie (Volksraad-Harriet) makes his race day debut over Te Aroha over 900 metres Wednesday 19th December. Sir Invincible, who has been freshened after three previous race day starts (2 wins and a 5th) steps out at Awapuni Saturday 22nd December. He's Licarocket, who impressed with a strong winning performance at Otaki 13th November contests the two year old event at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Two starters for a win and a second at Paeroa Trials

Volkarrie won his trial at Paeroa on Tuesday 27th November while Elusive Fortuna ran second in his trial. See the New page for full details.

Two Fortuna horses to Trial at Paeroa Tuesday 27th November

Volkarrie (Volksraad-Harriet), raced by the Fortuna (No 1) Syndicate and Elusive Fortune (Elusive City-Centennial Star), raced by the Fortuna (No 3) Syndicate are set to trial at Paeroa on 27th November. Both are two year old geldings. Volkarrie has trialled twice already for a win and a second while it will be Elusive Fortune's first trial outing.

He's Licarocket wins brilliantly on debut

He's Licarocket won his first raceday start at Otaki on 13th November in fine style. See the News page for full details/

He's Licarocket to make raceday debut

He's Licarocket (Easy Rocking-Triplina), the second of the Fortuna Syndicates horses to go to the races, starts at Otaki 13th November, in race two at 1.15pm. He has drawn three in a field of nine over the 800 metre distance and will be ridden by premiership leading jockey, Michael Walker.

Sir Invincible to contest Wellesley Stakes

Sir Invincible makes a significant step forward this coming Saturday 27th October when he contests the time honoured Wellesley Stakes (Listed) for two year olds at Trentham. Fresh from his convincing 2nd win at Riccarton on Sunday last, the Invincible Spirit colt has drawn barrier four in a field of ten over the 1000 metre trip down the Trentham chute. " This will be a sterner test for this promising colt" says Syndicate Manager, John Galvin, "as he is coming up a couple of other winning horses, Silk Spur, two wins from two starts and the highly regarded Peter Mackay trained colt, Vincent Mangano, also a winner at his only start to date." Sir Invincible will be ridden by Te Akau senior apprentice, Troy Harris, who has ridden the colt in his two victories to date. Race time is 1.38pm

Sir Invincible steps out again

Sir Invincible, who created a big impression by winning his debut race at Riccarton in September, makes his second race day appearance on Sunday 21st October. Starting again at Riccarton, he has drawn barrier five in a field of five over the 800 metre distance. Te Akau senior apprentice, Troy Harris, takes the mount. Race time is 1.20

Sir Invincible impressive in his debut win

Sir Invincible (Invincible Spirit-Muffin McLay) gave his rivals a galloping lesson over the 800 metre distance at Riccarton Park, Saturday 22nd. There were only four starters in the event, however it was the style of Sir Invincible's win that caught the eye, sprinting away from the opposition to win by 5 lengths.

Sir Invincible debuting Riccarton Sat 22nd September

Sir Invincible steps out on to the race track this coming Saturday Sept 22nd, at Riccarton Park, Christchurch. He is lining up in a small field of five, has drawn five at the barrier and is to be ridden by Te Akau Stables apprentice, Troy Harris, as regular rider, Michael Walker, is committed to ride at the premier meeting at Hastings. Sir Invincible has done everything right in his preparation to date and had shown blistering speed in his two trials so the connections are confident of a bold showing. The race time is 12.57(race 3).

He's Licarocket lives up to his name at Te Teko Trials

He's Licarocket (Easy Rocking-Triplina) blitzed a field of five at Te Teko trials August 7th. Drawing the outside barrier, he was away smartly, cruised up to leader on the turn and powered away in the straight to win by four lengths in the smart time of 35.58. On dismounting, rider Michael Walker said " This colt just wants to be a racehorse."

Sir Invincible brilliant in trial debut

Sir Invincible ( Invincible Spirit-Muffin McLay) gave those of his owners present a great sight at Te Teko trials 7th August. From the inside barrier in a field of six, he missed the jump slightly, but in a matter of a few strides had made up lost ground along the rail, cornered the bend like a true professional and waltzed away in the straight to win by four lengths in an outstanding time of 34.49 for the 600 metre trip. "A galloping machine" was rider Michael Walker's description of the colt.

Te Teko trials Tuesday August 7th

Sir Invincible (Invincible Spirit-Muffin McLay) and He's Licarocket (Easy Rocking-Triplina) are both headed to the trials at Te Teko (near Whakatane) Tues 7th August. Both of these colts have been progressing well and showing a lot of early promise. Heat times are available from the NZTR website www.nzracing.co.nz sometime Monday.

Karaka Million

At Ellerslie in January 2008, there will be a one million dollar race for two year olds, restricted to yearlings acquired at the 2007 Karaka sales. The yearlings currently available in the Fortuna Syndicates, with the exception of the Tale of The Cat-Cheeky Veronika colt, are all eligible for entry into this race.