KING ARTHUR scores his 2nd Singapore win at Kranji race course 27th November

KING ARTHUR produced a “regal” performance at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse on the last day of the Singapore 2021 racing season, when taking out the Class 4 1200m Polytrack event, scoring his 2nd career win from 10 starts. KING ARTHUR, a 4yo Gelding by I am Invincible out of Pentasia, had drawn wide and  was always going to need a touch of luck from the draw. Rider K Hakim, Singapore’s leading Apprentice Rider, had his mount away well from the jump, but then eased in the hope of finding a spot one out from the rail, however that was not to be and horse and rider had to endure a  3 wide trip. Looming on the turn however, KING ARTHUR showed a good turn of foot in the run home and certainly appeared as if he would gather in the leader  Renzo – that horse was in for the fight however and Hakim and KING ARTHUR needed to make one last lunge to take out the race by a head margin on the line. Click HERE to see the race replay.

KING ARTHUR is trained by Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker, who secured his 4th Singapore Premiership with 67 wins – this on top of the 5 Premiership wins he secured in his native New Zealand before relocating to Singapore in 2010.

Fortuna boss, John Galvin, watching the race from his New Zealand home (Hamilton) was an excited man during the run and certainly after the race. “Arthur had me up and out of my chair the last 300 metres I can certainly tell you that – although caught 3 wide from his difficult draw, Hakim had him in a good rhythm in the run and I could see after turning that he was going to be strong to the line and so it proved. Great for the horse, great for his crew of owners here in New Zealand and Australia. I take my my hat off to Mark Walker, who has now won 9 training Premierships in 2 different jurisdictions – Mark and I have been working together since 2003, when he trained my 1st winner for me (Kapsdan) and we have developed a great working relationship over the years.  Full marks to Hakim also for producing a great ride on Arthur – Hakim has ridden many winners for us in 2020 and 2021 and he has now secured both the Singapore Apprentice Premiership as well as the overall Jockey’s Premiership, the first time that has been done in over 25 years.”

“King Arthur” – wins at Kranji 27 November 2021 – picture courtesy of SG Racing

KING ARTHUR’S victory capped a remarkable 2021 for the Fortuna NZ Stable in 2021, with 19 individual wins from 9 stable horses, including the 6 time winner Entertainer (Zouster), a significant contribution to Mark Walkers 67 wins season wins and propelling the Fortuna NZ Stable to 2nd position on the Singapore Owners Table.

Trainer Mark Walker was reflective after securing his 4th Singapore Premiership “It is a great privilege to win these titles but it is not all about me – I have a great team behind me and a great crew of owners, with John Galvin’s Fortuna Stable now being our major supporter here in Singapore with 14 horses in the stable and 3 more arriving soon. John is  the perfect syndicator, he knows how to put the syndicates together and communicate with his clients and then lets me get on with the job of training the horses – we have a great combination”

Hakim returning to scale on King Arthur – picture courtesy of SG Racing

KING ARTHUR was purchased by John Galvin out of the October 2020 Inglis Digital Sale for A$25,000 and is raced by the Fortuna King Arthur Syndicate, an ownership group of 31 individuals from New Zealand and Australia. From 10 starts in Singapore, he has now accumulated S$76,000 with 2 wins and 5 minor placings

 

 

Friday Flash – 26th November

  KING ARTHUR breaking Maiden company – Singapore Oct 2021 – Shafiq Rusof in the saddle

 

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Fortuna has two acceptance this Saturday, both in Singapore,

Singapore

Elliot Ness contests the Class 4 1200 Poly – Race 3 at 6pm NZT – Breaking a track record in his debut win in Singapore earlier in the year, he battled a virus during the spring but a fast finishing 5th placing beaten 2.5 lengths at his last start suggests he is close to claiming his 2nd career win – Nicely drawn with Premiership leading jockey K Hakim aboard and a featherweight to carry, he represents a solid each way chance here

King Arthur races in the Class 4 1200 Poly – Race 5 @ 7pm – Broke Maidens this trip and distance 2nd Oct, then ran bold 2nd Class 4, but over raced and faded out last start on the Turf – gets back to the Poly here, has wide draw to overcome, but gets Hakim’s services and 2kg claim – right in this if he gets luck in running

Here is what the STC form analysts say about this race

1st Pick: JUST BECAUSE (8)
Impressive winner on debut last start. Danny Beasley stays on, and most find it hard jumping in grade and winning again, but he can prove that wrong in this field.
2nd Pick: SESON (11)
Was well supported when winning last start in Class 5 and ran good time in that event. He drops 7kgs and must be respected.
3rd Pick: KING ARTHUR (6)
Suited by the switch back to the Polytrack and gets our leading jockey for the leading trainer. Watch betting.
4th Pick: RENZO (7)
Lightly-raced galloper who was strong in winning last start with the blinkers applied. Drawn well and should get a comfortable run and look a threat turning for home.

Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday 23rd November

Soprano Supreme (J Kamaruddin worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 59.4, home in 44.4.
Navalha (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1 minute, last 600 in 43.8.

Thursday 25th November

Madame Moet (A Gujar) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.16, home in 46.

Charmaine’s Dream (C Leveque) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.8, home in 43.3.
Navalha (N Parmar) galloped over 800 metres in 52.8, home in 38.5.

Other News

Ready To Run Sales

Fortuna, with the assistance of David Ellis and input from Jamie Richards and Mark Walker (from his Singapore base) acquired two lovely Two Year Olds at last week’s Ready To Run Sale  – Lot 17, a Darci Brahma Gelding out of an Iffraaj Mare – Click HERE to see details – just $1100 per each 1% share and $40 per month from 1 April – he presents as a strong, athletic 3yo type who will be prepared for the Classic 3yo races in the Spring of 2022

Lot 17 – Darci Brahma Ujjayyi 2yo Gelding
And Lot 51, a Filly by the boom Sire of the moment, Per Incanto out of a Darci Brahma mare – she has a pedigree page to die for, being from the famous “Belle” family of which Melody Belle is a part of – Click HEREto see full details – just $1000 per each 1% share and $40 per month from 1 April – she appeals as a real early type and has gone straight into work

Lot 51 – Per Incanto – Belle Vie 2yo Filly

Friday Flash – 19th November

  KHAFEEF winning at Awapuni 30th October – Ryan Elliot aboard

Fortuna has four acceptance this Saturday, all in Singapore, three guaranteed starts and one on the ballotSingapore

Our Final Offer contests the Open Maiden 1200 Turf Race 2 at 5.30pm NZT – a barrier rogue, he was away well last start, but was ridden too aggressively early and faded a bit in the run home, beaten 3.6 lengths. Talented at best, he will be ridden more conservatively this week with Hakim in the saddle – has a wide draw to overcome – if he gets away and gets luck in the running, can feature

Sportscaster races in the Class 5 1700 Poly – Race 9 @ 9pm – hasn’t won for a while, but is always a chance in this sort of event – Stable apprentice Jerlyn Seow claiming 3kgs take the ride and the horse will only carry 49kgs – is an even field but if Jerlyn can have him bowling along uncluttered, he can feature

Cosmic Sands makes his Singapore debut in the Class 4 1200 Turf event – Race 12 @ 10.30pm. A two time winner in Australia, Cosmic Sands boasts a staying pedigree, being by Pride Of Dubai and out of a Galileo mare – this trip is bound to be too short for him, he does have a nice draw and will get a soft run. Wait and watch until he gets up in trip

Elliot Ness is in the Class 4 1100 Poly – Race 3 at 6pm NZT but is E2 and probably will not get a start – if he does, he will be jumping from a wide barrier and will need luck in the running

Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday 16th November
No Fortuna timed track work today

Thursday 18th November
Navalha (R Khan) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres, final 600 in 44.

Other News

New Zealand Cup
The two Fortuna runners in last Saturday’s New Zealand Cup, Leaderboard and Khafeef, both ran with distinction – Leaderboard looking all over the winner with 100m to go, just getting rundown in the last few strides to finish a gallant third and Khafeef who gave his rider a very very torrid time during the race finishing in seventh place beaten four lengths.

Quite a few of our clients were in both horses and as they turned for home wasn’t it great to see those two runners in the distinctive Fortuna silks both in contention!!!

Of course, both these horses are graduates of the Tattersalls UK Horses in Training Sale and in late October we went to the well again at this years sale to buy Without Envy – the 3yo by Lope De Vega – he is now in quarantine in the UK and will arrive in Melbourne on 7th December and will be prepared by Anthony and Sam Freedman for us. Shares are selling rapidly, but still some left – Click HERE to read details and to order shares if you would like to participate in this very attractive staying proposition

New “quickfire” Singapore Opportunity – Olympia

Imagine taking a share in a horse today that is already in full work and is to be nominated to race in Singapore Saturday 27th November!!! That doesn’t happen very often does it? But that is the current opportunity that is on the table

Read more below

About OLYMPIA

OLYMPIA was owned up until a few days ago by Joe Giovanni, who is one of the leading owners in Singapore and a very successful businessman – over the years he has owned a lot of horses including the Champion Gingerbread Man,who was a sensation in Singapore about 10 years ago and who now stands at stud in Australia – after getting poor results from OLYMPIA’S previous trainer, he moved this horse to Mark Walker’s stable back in June of this year. Mark had been watching OLYMPIA race and try and lead from the front and, determining that the horse would be better ridden back, set about re-educating his racing style. With those tactics, OLYMPIA has had 4 starts for Mark for two 2nds, a 3rdand a 4th.

Despite these seemingly improved results, when Joe was offered S$25,000 from a Malaysian trainer, he decided that he would accept the offer, but Joe then said to Mark that if Mark could match the deal he would prefer to leave him with Mark – Mark spoke to me about it during the week, I looked at the form and his replays and concluded that Olympia is a very promising type who will win soon – this opinion is backed up by Mark in the clip below

Click HERE to see a video clip of Olympia taken 16th November with comments from Mark

Click HERE to see Olympia’s form record – you can also see all of his replays at this link

Click HERE to see Olympia’s most recent race – very strong to the line – Horse No 2 with purple silks and yellow/pink horizontal bands – Hakim is the rider

Fortuna has now acquired the horse, transfer of ownership has been done and we are offering him for public syndication

THE OFFER

Just 30% left – Click HERE to order shares

As you well know we love buying tried horses (with much success) because we know something about them – almost all of the tried horses we have bought however, have come from Australia or New Zealand and so there is a freight cost to get them there plus quarantine etc, however with this boy, he’s in Mark’s stable already so there is no freight and he is due to run next on the 27th of November in the Class 5 1000 Polytrack for S30,000 – so we don’t have long to wait. Off his current rating of 41, he could win in Class 5 and still be eligible for Class 5 (Class 5 cap is 48 points) and then winning again in Class 5, he would be eligible for Class 4 ($50k) and as you will hear Mark say, he believes that Olympia can be competitive in Class 4 as he is still maturing and developing.

But wait there is more!!! – we have had great success in Singapore in 2021 (18 wins and Fortuna is No 2 on the Owners rankings) and I want to make this opportunity as simple as I can with a reduced Promoters Fee ($5k down from $10k),and no marketing fee or Sales/Research fee. Bottom line is that with cost of insurance (to 31 Jan 2023), cost of horse (NZ$26,300) plus fees and a bit of working capital, it is NZ$36k total fully subscribed with $100 per month ongoing from 1 December.

Pedigree
OLYMPIA is by the former Singapore Champion GINGERBREAD MAN, a sensation in Singapore winning 11 races, most at the highest level. He now stands at Stud in Western Australia – the dam, Second Omen, won twice and is from a very strongly pedigreed West Australian family – Click HERE to see his pedigree

Physical type
Olympia stands 15.3 hands tall and weighs 460kgs – a neat tidy sprinting type

 OLYMPIA at Kranji Training Centre – Singapore – 17th November 2021

Terms

  • Shares available right down to 2.5%.
  • 10% share $3,600 – 5% share $1,800 – 2.5% share $900
  • Share price includes all Initial Costs (Purchase price, Promoter Fees, Insurance through to 31st January 2023, and Working Capital of over $1400
  • Monthly ongoing costs from 1st December 2021 – from that date ongoing costs are – 10% share $400 per month – 5% share $200 per month – 2.5% share $100 per month
  • Monthly ongoing costs can alternatively be paid up to 12 months in advance as an option for subscribers by Bank Payment or Credit Card

Click HERE to order shares from the Fortuna website

Ready To Run Sale

Fortuna was active on the first day of the Ready To Run Sale at Te Rapa on Wednesday in “fast and furious” fashion – with 160 lots on offer on Day One and with the idea of acquiring a Colt/Gelding and a Filly, we were done and dusted by Lot 51, after acquiring Lot 17 along the way – ably assisted by the solid research done by David Ellis and Jamie Richards with some strong input by Mark Walker from his Singapore base, we had a short list drawn up, budgets set and everything fell into place

Lot 17 – 2yo Gelding by Darci Brahma out of Ujjayyi (by Iffraaj)

Fortuna has had a lot of success with the progeny of Darci Brahma over the years and this Gelding caught our attention with his galloping action at the Breeze Up and his physical type. Out of an Iffraaj mare who won at Two, before going amiss and having to be retired, he is from a strong winning family and gives the impression that he will develop into a lovely 3yo type – he will go to the paddock at this stage for 4 to 6 weeks before commencing his first stable preparation.

A product of Haunui Stud, here is what Haunui Principal, Mark Chitty, has to say about this Gelding “The Darci Brahma ex Ujjayyi 2yo gelding is a true born, bred and raised Haunui product just like Melody Belle and coincidentally the first foal of a young Iffraaj mare that had good racetrack ability. He has been a horse that was always destined for the RTR market and so was broken in in mid to late February and went through our system here at Haunui in association with Derek Nolan’s Lilywhites Lodge. Naturally athletic he has not been pushed at all during the sale preparation and is ready to go to the next stage of his racetrack career.”

Darci Brahma -Ujjayyi 2yo Gelding

 
Full details have yet to go up on the website, but Click HERE to see a summary from the Fortuna website – this summary included breeze up gallop footage, parade footage and pedigree – at this stage we are taking “expressions of interest” and you can do that by emailing me john@fortuna-nz.com or calling 021 921 460

Lot 51 – 2yo Filly by Per Incanto out of Belle Amie (by Darci Brahma)

This Filly really caught our eye – physically impressive with a lovely action in her breeze up, she is by the current “boom” Stallion in Per Incanto and out of an unraced Darci Brahma mare from the famous “Belle” family. She goes straight into work at Matamata this week for an initial preparation – she does seem to be the type that may run as a 2yo – note also that she is Karaka Million registered which means she is eligible to race in the Karaka 3yo Classic (1600m) Jan 2023 for $1m in Stakes!!! – final entries into that race are determined by ratings, and most entrants over the years have needed to have won a couple of races in order to get into the field.

Janine Dunlop of Phoenix Park prepared this Filly for the Sale and she describes her as follows “This is a neat and tidy filly, but very powerful, physically correct, handled her breeze up preparation with aplomb, ate well all throughout her preparation – she is well forward and I think she may well be a runner as a 2yo”

Per Incanto – Belle Amie 2yo Filly

Full details have yet to go up on the website, but Click HERE to see a summary from the Fortuna website – this summary included breeze up gallop footage, parade footage and pedigree – at this stage we are taking “expressions of interest” and you can do that by emailing me john@fortuna-nz.com or calling 021 921 460.

Fortuna acquires a filly by boom Sire Per Incanto at NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale

Lot 51 – the 2yo Filly by PER INCANTO out of BELLE VIE (by Darci Brahma) has been acquired by the  DC Ellis/Fortuna combination for NZ$50,000

This horse will be syndicated by Fortuna to its clients and the general public – Syndicate paperwork still being prepared but shares will be available down to 1%  – $10,000 per 10% share, $500 per 5% shares, $2500 per 2.5 share, $1o00 per 1% share all inclusive of GST, Fees, Insurance and working capital

Ongoing costs start 1 April 2022 at $40 per month per each 1% share

Click HERE to see this outstanding Filly parading

Click HERE to see Video Clip of her Te Rapa pre sale breeze up and her Pedigree

Contact John Galvin HERE to express interest



Per Incanto – Belle Vie 2yo Filly

 

Fortuna secures Darci Brahma Gelding at NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale

Lot 17 – the 2yo Gelding by DARCI BRAHMA out of UJJAYYI (by Iffraaj) has been acquired by the  DC Ellis/Fortuna combination for $60,000 after being passed in at NZ$75,000

This horse will be syndicated by Fortuna to its clients and the general public – Syndicate paperwork still being prepared but shares will be available down to 1%  – $11,000 per 10% share, $5500 per 5% shares, $2750 per 2.5% share, $1100 per 1% share all inclusive of GST, Fees, Insurance and working capital

Ongoing costs start 1 April  2022 at $40 per month per each 1% share

Click HERE to see this lovely athletic Gelding parading

Click HERE to see Video Clip of his Te Rapa pre sale breeze up gallop and his Pedigree

Contact John Galvin HERE to express interest

 

Darci Brahma – Ujjayyi 2yo Gelding

 

 

Friday Flash – 12th November

 

Fortuna has six runners this weekend, four in NZ and two in Singapore

Two of our runners are contesting the 158th running of the New Zealand Cup – how good is that!!!

New Zealand

Leaderboard runs in the New Zealand Cup over 3200m – Race 10 at 4:30 pm – a strong staying type who should run the trip on pedigree, his form in the South Island leading up to this race has been very ordinary and he will need to lift in order to be competitive here. Kozzi Asano takes the mount. He has been running on firm tracks and probably does need to get his toe into the ground to show his best and there is some rain forecast tomorrow which would assist his chances. Is at long odds and on recent form deserves to be – rain will improve his chances

Khafeef also gets his chance in the New Zealand Cup – Race 10 at 4.30 pm – a UK import with a stout staying pedigree, he was very good in winning the Rating 65 2200 at Awapuni two weeks ago. Arguably the “dark horse” in this field, he brings very good form but has to compete against a higher class of runners. Should stay the trip better than most and does have claims – Each way

Charmaines Dream contests the R65 1200 at Tauranga – Race 4 @ 2.28 pm – a winner at this track in August, she has had one resuming race and ran well without placing, has trialed since. Joe Kamaruddin rides from a difficult barrier, so she will be ridden forward from the draw – can feature in this if she gets luck in the running. Each Way

Ragamuffin races at Waverley on Sunday 14th – this 2020 Ready To Run graduate was pleasing on debut at Te Aroha two weeks ago finishing in 5th place – will take improvement from that – is drawn nicely here. Can feature

Singapore

Hidden Promise contests the Class 5 1600 Polytrack event – Race 3 at 5pm NZT –  this grand old nine year old has the legs of a 3 year old, has won seven times in Singapore and certainly gets his chance here ridden by Singapore’s leading ridder, K Hakim, claiming 2kgs!! Is in great form, strikes Division 2, has an OK draw – strong each way chance

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race;

1st Pick: HIDDEN PROMISE (2)
From the leading barn here in Singapore. Coming off a strong second-last start and has track/distance stats to suggest he’ll be a major player.
2nd Pick: FLYING YELLOW (1)
Put a line through last start, stood there and missed away. Has a trial in between runs and should be ready to fire here.
3rd Pick: ENDLESS (13)
One who could open at a price here this weekend if he gets in. Despite not winning a race, has been thereabouts and looks one for the multiples.
4th Pick: ACCUMULATION (7)
Four second placings from his 10 starts over the mile on the Polytrack. Rarely wins but in this field, could run in the money for sure.

King Arthur races in the Novice 1200 Poly – Race 6 @ 7.30pm – brings excellent form to this race with a win and a 2nd in his last 2 starts – Shafiq Rusof takes the mount from a good draw in what is an even field – will be very hard to hold out here

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race;

1st Pick: KING ARTHUR (1)
Looks the standout in this. Unlucky second last time out. Big say.
2nd Pick: DINAR (14)
Impressive debut winner despite his greenness. Tackles tougher lot here. Has made further headway but will have to overcome a wide alley this time. Shadow roll on. Stiffer task but not without a say.
3rd Pick: AMAZING BREEZE (3)
Only one win but has always been hitting around the mark since. Expected to put in another bold showing. Winkers on. Include in your exotics.
4th Pick: NATE’S CHAMPION (5)
Bolted up in Class 5 company at his last outing. Goes up a class but can still hold his own if he reproduces his last-start form.


“King Arthur” – winning in Singapore  2021

Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 9th November

Navalha (R Khan) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1.02.
Soprano Supreme (J Kamaruddin) galloped over an easy 800 metres, running the last 600 in 37.9.

Thursday 11th November

Madame Moet (H Durrant) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.03, last 600 in 36.5.
Ragamuffin (N Parmar) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.10, home in 40.
Charmaine’s Dream (A Jones) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, quickening over the last 600 to finish in 42.

Other News

“CUPS” racing

What a wonderful few weeks it has been with the recent runnings of the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, with the latter producing an outstanding result for its “Kiwi” equine, rider and trainer combo – this coming Saturday sees the running of the time-honoured New Zealand Cup which is of course, a rather “poor relation” in comparison to the first two mentioned above, but nevertheless as a wonderful race to be able to compete in, let alone win

And the Fortuna team is particularly privileged to have two runners in this Saturdays event, Leaderboard and Khafeef, both of course imported from the UK and genuine staying types.

I have been involved in racing almost all of my life and in my formative years the annual pilgrimage to Trentham from my nearby home in the Hutt Valley to watch the Wellington Cup was a highlight and I remember, as a 17-year-old, catching the express train from Wellington to Auckland so that I could attend an Auckland Cup at Ellerslie. There is indeed something magic about the Cups races and it’s hard to find anybody involved in racing, be they trainer, jockey owner or race goer, who would not like to have an involvement in a horse good enough to run in one of these great staying tests.

In recent years, we have had a favourite for the NZ Cup (Zabene in 2011) – he had won the Metropolitan Gold Trophy the week before in commanding fashion – unfortunately an overnight downpour which turned the track into a Heavy 10, resulted in us late scratching him for the Cup, as he was useless under such track conditions.

And then in 2016, we acquired the Irish bred Chance To Dance, 10 days before he was due to run in the Sydney Cup – he wasn’t cheap to buy, but we sold all the shares in 7 days to our clients. Once again, we were cursed by circumstances – a horse fell near the back of the field as they left the straight for the first time – the Stewards panicked and declared an abandonment  – in a scene out of the Keystone Cops, inadequate warning facilities meant that about two thirds of the riders were not aware of the abandonment, including us and fought to the line tooth and nail – “Ted” as we had nicknamed our horse, finished 2nd but of course the A$390k for 2nd was just an illusion as it was a no race. Two weeks latter, the Sydney Cup was re-run and, Ted, quite a tired horse by this time, (his 3rd 2 mile race in 5 weeks), ran a gallant 5th placing – he came to NZ after that and won two Listed races here before retiring

So, now we present a fresh opportunity to our clients to become involved in a genuine “Cups type” horse.

As you may well know, we have been “shopping” at the Tattersalls UK Horses In Training Sale, where we acquired the lovely 3yo Gelding, WITHOUT ENVY (Lope De Vega – Purple Pride) – interesting that our two previous Tattersalls buys, Leaderboard and Khafeef, are both in the NZ Cup field (3200m) on Saturday, so we do seem to be buying the right sort of horse.

The breaking news on WITHOUT ENVY is that he will not be coming to New Zealand for a preparation – he will fly to Australia from the UK in early December, quarantine near Melbourne for two weeks and then go to the training establishment of Anthony and Sam Freedman in Victoria to be prepared for his first preparation. This clearly is a divergence away from how we have handled things with the other two UK horses, where our thinking had been to bring them to New Zealand, prepare them here, see how they went in staying races here and if good enough they could then race in Australia.

WITHOUT ENVY is a one start maiden still (2nd at Ascot on debut) and there is a lot of low hanging fruit for him to collect as he works through the grades in Australia – probably 3 to 4 times more prize money for the same level of racing as compared to here in New Zealand.

There are a few other factors as well – the Freedmans were one of the first Australian training organisations to start buying these types of horses from this sale 15 or so years ago and have had much success – they also have fantastic training facilities at their Pinecliff property at Mount Eliza which is outside of Melbourne but has a complete set of training tracks including two uphill 800m tracks, one Turf, one sand and a short walk through some bush trails down to the beach. Click HERE to see their facilities. We have to remember that with this sort of UK/Irish bred horse, these are the sorts of facilities that they are used to, i.e working in straight lines rather than going around corners in their daily work.

Also, leaving him in Australia means a lower GST payable on entry (10% vs 15%) and no airfare from Aus to NZ.

And of course, the big Cups races are right on his doorstep – it is a huge dream to have a horse good enough to contest a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup, but Without Envy, with his pedigree, his physical type and his early preparation, is very typical of the sorts of European bred horses who have been winning these races over the past few years. Step it down a level and there is a whole range of distance races being run for A$250k to A$600k, mostly being won by horses with UK/Irish pedigrees.

So my view is that here is a great opportunity  for our clients to buy into a “ready made” Cups type horse. “Felix” as we have now nicknamed him will arrive in Aus 7th of December. Read more about him below and shares can be orders directly off the Fortuna website HERE

About Without Envy

WITHOUT ENVY has been identified by Fortuna’s John Galvin as an ideal “staying type”, who has the pedigree, conformation and  form to be competitive in Middle Distance/Two Mile races in Australia/New Zealanf. John was assisted in this selection by International Bloodstock Agent, Hubie De Burgh and the Fortuna Trainers, Mark Walker (Singapore) and Jamie Richards (NZ)

Now a Four Year Old Gelding Southern Hemisphere time, but a Three Year old  Northern Hemisphere time (foaled April 2018, WITHOUT ENVY has had just one race day start – this at Ascot UK where he finished 2nd over 2400m in a Novice Stakes race

Fortuna acquired WITHOUT ENVY at the October Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale at Newmarket UK – this after usual due diligence including a thorough Vet examination by Dr Duncan Moir of Newmarket

WITHOUT ENVY is currently agisting at the IRT (our shippers) agistment farm near Newmarket awaiting entry to the quarantine facility (needs to quarantine for 3 weeks) ahead of flying to  Australia  in early December. On exiting quarantine in Australia, he will travel straight to the Freedman facilities where they will assess him and work out a plan for him

Pedigree
WITHOUT ENVY possesses a very stout pedigree. He is by the exceptional International Stallion LOPE DE VEGA (by Shamardal),  the Sire of over 660 winners and 88 Stakes winners including 13 Group One winners in all major jurisdictions. His dam, PURPLE PEARL (by Danehill Dancer), won twice at 1600 metres and she is the dam of three foals to race -all winners, including Purple Light who has won 7 races in France and Italy at distances up to 3800m. The Granddam, PEARL SKY (by Kahyasi) won 4 times up to 2100 including at Group 3 level and was placed three times at Group 2 level. She is the dam of Kazarov (half brother to PURPLE PEARL), who won 9 times from 2650m to 4500m. Clearly the female side of this pedigree is very stout and is offset by the more brilliant Sire influence of Lope de Vega
Click HERE to view WITHOUT ENVY pedigree

Physical type 
A strong, handsome, athletic Bay Gelding, standing 16.1 hands high and weighing 510kgs,  WITHOUT ENVY is hard to fault physically – still developing and maturing, he has a bit of filling out to do physical and will grow into a strong, powerful type with a bit more time – he has a very relaxed galloping action and walks well – he passed his Vet exam with flying colours – Click HERE to see WITHOUT ENVY parading 28th October


WITHOUT ENVY – Newmarket 28th October

Background
WITHOUT ENVY was bred by Stone Roses Bloodstock and was prepared for racing in the UK by highly successful trainer, Andrew Balding.  Immature as a Two Year Old, he was given plenty of time by his connections and made his race day debut as an Autumn 3yo at Ascot 1 October 2021 in a Novice Stakes race over 2400m – he finished the race off very powerfully for a 2nd placing. Click HERE to see the race replay (rider has white cap and sleeves and red jacket)

Agent’s view (Hubie De Burgh)
“My brief from John Galvin was to find a physically correct 3yo with a nice pedigree page that could run a trip under Australian/New Zealand conditions. WITHOUT ENVY, despite not having a lot of exposed form, was on my short list right from the start, as he is a very attractive physical specimen who showed good form in his only race day run – he vetted well, we secured him for budget and I think will do a very good job for John and his Fortuna team “down under.”

Trainer’s view (Jamie Richards-NZ)
“This horse impressed me with how he raced on his debut run – set for a reasonable quality race on debut and still a Maiden, he relaxed well in the run and presented with a very strong finish. I have seen his parade and he is a physically attractive type, strong through the shoulder who walks well. I believe he can only improve physically with a bit more time.

Trainer’s view (Mark Walker-Singapore)
“John Galvin asked to assist him in a selection from this sale – I reviewed the races and parades of all of the horses on John’s short list, we rejected a few and got down to three prime candidates, of which WITHOUT ENVY was one – I was really taken with his Ascot performance – to make a debut at 2400m as a Maidener out of his grade and finish off so powerfully meant he got a big tick from me  – he also paraded very well with a lovely relaxed walk and presents as a very physically correct type.”

Syndicator’s view (John Galvin)
“As we know it is extremely difficult to breed, or buy as a yearling, a genuine staying type that can run distance races in NZ/Aus – add to the mix that UK/Irish bred horses are dominating middle-distance and Cups races in Australia and it is very apparent that a good way of securing types that can run a trip and be genuine Cups performers is to go to this type of sale and purchase there – this is a strategy that we applied in 2018 and 2019 with the purchase of Leaderboard and Khafeef and it is no coincidence that both those horses are nominated for the Two Mile New Zealand Cup at Riccarton  13th of November. WITHOUT ENVY was on our short list right from the start and I am very happy to have secured him for Syndication to our clients – our objective is to work him through the grades in Australia and, if good enough, to aim him at the major Cups races in Australia”

Disclosure Statement & Agreement
View and/or Download the  Disclosure Statement and the Syndicate Agreement for WITHOUT ENVY

Terms

  • Shares available right down to 1%.
  • 10% share $30,000 – 5% share $15,000 – 5% share $7,500  – 1% share $3,000 (all pricing in NZ$) (Credit Terms available to approved purchasers)
  • Share price includes all Initial Costs (Purchase price, Promoter and Agent Fees, Transport to Aus from the UK, Aus GST on entry, Insurance through to 31st January 2023, and Working Capital of over $20,000
  • Monthly ongoing costs from 1st April 2022 – from that date ongoing costs are – 10% share $400 per month – 5% share $200 per month – 2.5% share $100 per month – 1% share $40 per month.
  • Monthly ongoing costs can alternatively be paid up to 12 months in advance as an option for subscribers by Bank Payment or Credit Card

Purchase a share in WITHOUT ENVY today from the Fortuna website HERE or email john@fortuna-nz.com or call/text 021 921 460 if you require more information

Lockdowns

As you would appreciate would be the case with our very large client base, I communicate with a lot of people during the course of an ordinary week – syndicate updates and newsletters of course, but also phone calls and emails from many of our clients – this week the phone has been running red hot with calls, in particular, those who are living in level three areas that are unable to attend the race meetings this weekend and in particular, the New Zealand Cup meeting where we have two of our runners. By the way, you should note that I am not a member of any political party and do not belong to any pressure group  –  I think I am just a typical hard-working New Zealand businessman who is endowed with a fair degree of experience and some solid common sense and my comments come from that perspective.

I detect from these various communications,  that compared to this time a year ago when there was a lot of tolerance and support for government action to contain COVID-19, this time round that tolerance has largely evaporated particularly in the light of what many impartial commentators see as a poor execution by the government with its overall Covid vaccination rollout programme and  hospital preparation. In other words, we the people, the so called “team of 5 million” have obeyed the rules, followed the guidance, but are now paying the price for the incompetence shown by “our leaders”

Then there are the rules – I have yet to find anyone who can adequately explain to me why it is, that at the present time around 2000 people are home isolating in Auckland – many of these people (but not all) will be unvaccinated and yet about 30,000 New Zealanders are desperate to get home from overseas – those of them (which would be virtually all, given current airline regulations) who are double vaccinated and can produce evidence of a negative Covid test have to isolate in MIQ facilities!!! – and of course, as has been well documented, the slots in  those facilities are extremely difficult to get – this does not make any sense – we have people in the community with Covid symptoms self isolating (and who knows how that is being policed) and we have people outside of borders that are completely free of Covid and can prove so, but aren’t allowed to self isolate on their return to New Zealand – when Minister Hopkins is asked for his response to this he says something like “we are taking advice from our health advisors and they say that the time is not right to alter the MIQ settings” –  presumably these are the same health advisors who, at the start of the epidermic were predicting 80,000 deaths in New Zealand, presumably these are also health advisors who are earning  substantial six-figure salaries and wouldn’t have too many clues about how to run a business or of the pain and financial sacrifice that’s been forced upon many sectors particularly in Auckland. At a political level, when I look at the individuals around the cabinet table and their life/employment/business experience, it is hard not to draw the conclusion that we are being governed by “political students”

Secondly looking at the rules, it’s possible to have 25 people at level three step 2 having a picnic but the same 25 people cannot eat the same food at a restaurant with outdoor tables service !!! – one would assume these rules are being designed by politicians and bureaucrats happily ensconced in Wellington under level two conditions and sipping their Chai lattes at a café in Lampton Quay!!!

Friday Flash 5th November

  ENTERTAINER makes it 6 wins for 2021 in Singapore – 30th October – K Hakim aboard
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Fortuna has one runner in Singapore Saturday 6th November

Singapore

OUR FINAL OFFER contests  the Open Maiden 1000m event – Race 6 @ 7.30pm NZT – this horse is a talented galloper but is a “barrier rogue” – despite being in Singapore almost a year, he has only two race starts – finally he has passed his two mandatory trials without incident and has been cleared to start – Oscar Chavez who is well known as a very good rider of “difficult’ horses takes the mount – needs to be taken on trust but if he gets away, is a top 3 chance

Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 2nd November
Charmaine’s Dream (M Grylls) galloped over an easy 800 metres, running the last 600 in 38.2.
Madame Moet (H Durrant) galloped over 800 metres, running the last 600 in 38.

Thursday 4th November
No Fortuna horse timed trackwork today

Other News

Melbourne Cup

What are incredible day for the New Zealand participants in the Melbourne cup on Tuesday with a Kiwi bred winner in the mighty Verry Elleegant, a Kiwi jockey and a Kiwi trainer all at the very top of their game – its quite remarkable that for Trainer Chris Waller this was his 126th Group One win and yet his first Melbourne Cup win and for James McDonald, it was his 56th Group One win and yet his 1st Melbourne Cup win. James of course was the Te Akau Stable rider back in the day and in fact his very first Stakes winner was on the Mark Walker trained Fortuna galloper, Rio Fortune, in the Castletown Stakes in 2009

Rio Fortune – James McDonald aboard – Castletown Stakes – Foxton June 2009

Fortuna on fire NZ and Singapore – Saturday 30th October

Presenting runners in two jurisdictions, we finished the day with one winner in New Zealand – Khafeef at Awapuni winning by 4.5 lengths and a double in Singapore with Brutus and Entertainer – of the other two runners in Singapore Hadeer finished second while  Elliot Ness ran a fast finishing 5th – great results all round, many of our clients are in two of these winning syndicates, a number are in three. These results capped off an exciting 3 days, because on 28th Oct Te Aroha, our very smart 3yo Mohawk Brave won on debut. Entertainer’s win was remarkable because it was his 6th win in 2021 (from 9 starts) he is now the leading horse by wins in Singapore for 2021 and has accumulated S$192k gross prizemoney for his owners – nor bad for a horse we paid A$20k for!!!

 BRUTUS scores his 3rd win in Singapore – Te Akau apprentice Jerlyn Seow aboard

Ride Of The WeekRyan Elliot’s ride aboard Fortuna’s Khafeef (trained by Kevin Myers) has been selected as Love Racing’s “ride of the week” – view the ride at the link below – it is a great watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf8brRaI2tU

KHAFEEF – Awapuni 30th October – Ryan Elliot aboard

Fortuna Shares for Sale

Two lovely offerings – the 3yo ROCKY (by El Roca) who will join our highly successful team in Singapore in January 2021 – just $1000 for each 1% share – Click HERE to read all about him

 ROCKY – 3yo by El Roca

And our very latest acquisition, the 3yo (Northern Hemisphere time) WITHOUT ENVY (by Lope de Vega), who we purchased at the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale – now in quarantine in the UK, he heads “down under” end of November – $3000 for each 1% share – Click HERE to read all about this classic staying type

WITHOUT ENVY – 3yo by Lope De Vega

 

Melbourne Cup 2021 – a Betting Strategy

Melbourne Cup – 02 November 2021

  Fortuna’s 5yo ENTERTAINER  wins 30th October in Singapore – his 6th win for the year making him the leading winner in Singapore for 2021 – ridden by Singapore’s leading K Hakim and trained by Singapore’s leading trainer, Mark Walker

 

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John Galvin’s Melbourne Cup Betting Strategy

Wow, the first Tuesday in Melbourne is  upon us. The day that stops a nation has a rich history and even those with little interest in racing often get involved in workplace sweepstakes and the like.

With 24 runners and form lines that are hard to read, the Melbourne Cup provides great dividends; it is not hard to get double figure odds on all but the first two or three favourites and who can forget the First four dividend of the 2012 event, paying just a touch under $1 million for a $1 unit. 

John Galvin here below outlines a suggested betting strategy for the Melbourne Cup. It is a strategy that both the experienced and “mug” punter can apply to this great event.

The objective is to, as a minimum, get back all or some of the initial outlay and at a maximum scoop the pool

Suggested Capital outlay $100. Not a small amount of money for many, but, hey, this is the Melbourne Cup.

First Step

Select Nine Horses from the Twenty Four Starters and label these horses in your order of preference  A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I

Second Step. Place Bets as follows

Win and Place Bets. Horses A and B  $10 to Win and $10 to Place on each. If A and/or B Wins or runs a Place, you will collect. Cost of these bets = $40

Quinella Bets. To win on this bet, you must have the 1st and second runners on your ticket in either finishing order. Select A as an Anchor and B through to I to run 2nd. Select B as an anchor and A though to I to run second.  If either A or B runs first or second and one of the anchors runs first or second you will collect. Bet $1 units.  Cost of these bets = $16.

Trifecta Bet. Here your bet is to be a percentage bet of 25%. This means that if you are successful, you will receive 25% of the declared trifecta Dividend. Select horses ABC to run 1st, ABCDE to run 2nd and ABCDEFG to run 3rd. Total Units=60, Cost of bet @ 25% = $15

First Four Bet. This is the biggie. Again your bet will be a percentage bet; this time for 8%. Select ABC to run 1st, ABCDE to run 2nd, ABCDEFG to run 3rd and ABCDEFGHI to run fourth.  Total Units=360, Cost of Bet @ 8% = $29.

So, how would you have done in the 2020 event if you had used this betting strategy?

Well, the winner paid $27.20 for the win and $8.10 for the place so a $10 each way bet on him would have returned $353

The quinella paid $97.20 so if you had 1st and 2nd home, you would have collected a further $97.20

The trifecta paid $1805 so with all the right numbers on your ticket a 25% percentage bet would have returned $451.25 for the $15 outlay

The First 4 paid $38,939 so an 8% percentage bet would have returned $3,115  for the $29 outlay if you had the right numbers on your ticket

I trust you get the idea; it is a great way of spreading a reasonable outlay of $100 on the day and, at the very least, having a lot of fun; at best, you may have a five or even six figure collect.

Finally, clients always ask me what my selections and I gently remind them that my last winning selection was Brew way back in 2000, so I am the worst person to ask – I can give a few pointers though as follows

  • Most Melbourne Cups are won with horses down in the weights – 57kgs is a lot to carry over 2 miles
  • No Mare has won the Cup since Makybe Diva and that was a few Champagnes ago
  • Incentivise is all the rage and you could never rule him out but for me there is too much in the history book to suggest he won’t win
  • Irish/UK/European pedigrees have dominated in recent years and there is plenty to choose from in this field
So, my ABCD runners are
Grand Promenade, Pondus, Spanish Mission, Persan

Good luck.

ENTERTAINER brilliant in winning at Class 2 level in Singapore – his 6th win in 2021

Entertainer (5yo Zoustar-Laughing) produced an exceptional effort when, racing out of his grade, he got up in the last couple of strides to win the Class 2 1100m event on the Polytrack at Singapore’s Kranji race track 3oth October, capping off what was a remarkable day for the Fortuna runners with three winners, a 2nd and a 5th from five runners in Singapore and New Zealand. Ridden by Singapore’s leading jockey, K Hakim, claiming 2kgs, Entertainer had to overcome a wide draw, but bounced away well and Hakim soon had him in 2nd place and traveling nicely – on turning it was obvious that Entertainer was in contention but there were several challenges, notably from Muraahib, who got up on the inside and actually headed Entertainer, however with Hakim asking the horse for one final effort, Entertainer lunged at the line and got up by the barest of margins. Carrying the stable nickname “Joker” he certainly had the last laugh

Remarkably, that is Entertainer’s 6th win from just nine starts in 2021 and all have been at the 1100m trip on the Polytrack and he has now had more wins than any other runner in Singapore in 2021

Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna‘s Singapore trainer, Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker, who had only emerged on Thursday from a very frustrating 10 day self isolation period, was beaming post race  “That was super – we really rolled the dice deciding to run in this race as it was the only 1100m option left for the season – lovely ride by Hakim who got beat on him last time because he was taken on in front and he went too hard, but this time he got the horse into a good spot, always had him traveling well and the horse delivered. Amazing result for John Galvin and his Fortuna Stable Team – that’s two winners for them today with Brutus winning earlier, that is their 18th win in Singapore for 2021 

ENTERTAINER – 6th Singapore Win 30th October 2021

Fortuna Director John Galvin, watching from his home in New Zealand was ecstatic “this horse is amazing – we had a real throw at the stumps by starting him out of his grade and he met a very strong field, he just doesn’t know when to lay down – great ride by Hakim and a super training effort by Mark Walker”

Entertainer was acquired by Mark Walker on behalf of Fortuna at the Inglis Digital sale in December 2019 for A$20,000 – he has now won six races from thirteen starts in Singapore and accumulated S$192,000 in prizemoney, a great return on investment for his ownership group

Entertainer is raced by the Fortuna Entertainer Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 51 individuals from NZ and Australia

KHAFEEF dominant at Awapuni in his first New Zealand win

Fortuna 6yo KHAFEEF (Champs-Elysees – Tawaareekh) gave his rivals a galloping lesson when winning the Rating 65 2200m event at Awapuni 3oth October by four and a half lengths. Settled in the back half of the field by rider Ryan Elliot in a nice spot one off the rail, Khafeef relaxed nicely in the run in a race that was being run at a brisk tempo with a tearaway leader Bear Grylls giving the field something to chase. Ryan set Khafeef alight from about the 700m mark, he came into the race strongly, was widest on turning, and then mounted a powerful winning run down the centre of the straight going to the line under a hold.

Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna Director John Galvin, locked up in Hamilton due to Level 3 restrictions, revelled in the moment “It took me a while to climb down off the wall after that effort – he has been knocking on the door of late, his last start 2nd at Hastings after running into traffic problems in the run home was exceptional, so we went in to today’s race with a fair degree of confidence. I could see he was going real well from about the 700m mark as he started to chase the leaders down and I was pretty sure he could do so, but I wasn’t expecting the 4.5 length margin.

“He did really need to win today in order to get enough ratings points to have a chance of making the NZ Cup field. Overall this has been a very satisfying result as we had imported this horse from the UK in  2019 in order to target the big staying races – it has taken him time to find his feet, but his form since March of this year has been very good. Big kudos to Trainer Kevin Myers and his team, they have really worked Khafeef out and got him going well.

” The timing of this win is very relevant as well, because last Thursday, we bought another staying type, the 3yo Without Envy, from the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale in the UK and he will arrive in NZ in December and so Khafeef’s win yesterday will spark a lot of interest in him from our clients”

 KHAFEEF – Awapuni 30th October 2021

KHAFEEF, who had raced in France as a 3yo for one win and a 2nd from four starts, was acquired by John Galvin, with the assistance of International Bloodstock Agent, Hubie De Burgh, at the 2019 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale for 28,000 Guineas (NZ$60k approx).

He is raced by the Fortuna Khafeef Syndicate, an ownership group comprising 71 individuals, in the main New Zealanders, but with three of the Group from Hong Kong