Court Of Appeal dominant in her 4th career win – Bruno Queiroz aboard
Riccarton 11th Oct 2025
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Headline News
NZ Thoroughbreds to the fore in The Everest
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Fortuna has no runners this weekend but does have Titahi Bay at Kyneton Tuesday – Acceptances not due until later today but she will run in the Maiden 3yo 1450 and, 3rd up with a strong performance last start, should prove very competitive
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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners
Matamata – Monday 13th
Emma Twigg (T Melvin) galloped over 800 metres in 55.4, home in 38.8.
Riccarton – Monday 13th
Porcia Catonis (H Durrant) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.06.1, last 600 in 37.3.
Vivacious (H Durrant) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.07.8, last 600 in 37.4.
Cranbourne – Monday 13th
Our Paramour (C Wilson) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.07.8, last 600 in 38.8.
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Other News
COURT OF APPEAL delivers a powerful verdict with a 4 length victory at Ashburton
Click HERE to see closing stages of the race
Traveling like the winner turning for home, Court Of Appeal (5 m Eminent – Katy O’Beel, by Zabeel) impressively won the $50,000 Open Handicap 2200 metres on Saturday at Ashburton. After resuming with a dominant victory in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 11 September Riccarton (poly-track), Court Of Appeal thwarted her chances with a slow beginning in the Rating 75 1580 metres on 27 September at Riccarton, but was back on song to deliver an undeniable message as to her staying prowess.
Ridden by Bruno Queiroz, who was aboard when she won fresh-up in September, Court Of Appeal was a stride slow before recovering to settle three back on the inner, improved on the bridle between runners at the 600m, and after receiving a lovely split on straightening she raced away to win by four lengths.
“She was traveling very, very well at the 600m and over the last 400m she was flying home,” Queiroz said. “I got the position I wanted to get.”
On course, assistant trainer Hunter Durrant said: “She’s been crying out for that distance and we couldn’t be happier. Going down the back, we thought we might be in a bit of trouble, but she just needed some luck and it was a great steer by Bruno. She has got her quirks, she can be slow out of the gates and was again today, but she recovered well and Bruno’s building a nice relationship with her.”
In the race sponsored by Vernon Vazey 0800 & Truck Parts, Court Of Appeal ran 2200 metres in 2:17.0, last 600m in 34.3 (approx.) on Good4 footing, and paid $4.70 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote. Although out of her rightful grade, being rated 72, Court Of Appeal carried minimum weight (54kg), and in beating a decent Open Handicap field she vindicated both her staying pedigree and ability.
Click HERE to see Race replay
“She’s been a slow maturing type, but getting there now and it was a terrific win today,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. “When Dave (Ellis) bought her very cheaply for $20,000, she was always going to take time, but John (Galvin) wanted a really nice staying prospect and his ownership team have been very patient. I think this year we’re starting to see the best of her and Hunter (Durrant) and our staff in our stables at Riccarton have got her going really well. She’s settled into the surroundings down there extremely well. She’s a happy mare, and Bruno (Queiroz) has really clicked with her. She can be a bit touchy in the barriers, but he seems to have the key to getting her away on terms and she’ll go on to black type company during Cup Week down there.”
Court Of Appeal – 4th career victory – Ashburton 11th October 2025
Bruno Queiroz aboard
Following the win, Walker suggested Court Of Appeal would now target the $100,000 Nautical Insurance Metropolitan Handicap (Listed, 2600m) on the first day of Cup Week (8 Nov.) at Riccarton, and follow up a week later (15 Nov.) in the $450,000 Martin Collins 162ndNew Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m).
“She’s shaping up to be a high-quality staying mare, especially given the way she won today, but it has taken awhile for her to mature, being by Eminent and out of a Zabeel mare,” Walker added. “She’s looks to have a nice future in races around 2400 metres and further.”
Purchased for $20,000 by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing from the Karaka 2022 Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Brighthill Farm, she is owned by Fortuna Court Of Appeal Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), an ownnership group comprising 47 individuals and has now won four races.
“I thought she was a strong winning chance today, but I wasn’t expecting her win by so far and it certainly was a pretty impressive performance,” John Galvin said after the race. “To see her power away like that was mind-blowing, really. Time was always going to be her friend and physically, since she’s gone south, she’s taken a huge step forward in the Riccarton environment. You could see in her preliminary, she was shining in the coat and looked like a big, strong, powerful, mare. She’s going the right way, that’s for sure. When you buy these sorts of horses you know they’re not going to be Karaka Million types, and that you have to be patient with them. We’ve had some good staying horses in the past, such as Zabene, who won the Metropolitan Handicap, and Leaderboard who won the Wellington Cup and finished third in a New Zealand Cup before going on to become a great jumper”
“So, we’re very happy with the way she has developed and I remember Opie (Bosson) saying to me after he rode her for third, early in her career, at Te Aroha, that she just needs time and she’ll deliver over ground. It was a good decision by Mark & Sam, after she raced in April at Ellerslie, to send her south to their stables at Riccarton, and prepare her for the New Zealand Cup. And she’s been perfectly handled ever since.”
Galvin said that Court Of Appeal would now spend a few days at the water walker and then prepare to race in the Metropolitan Handicap on Saturday 8 November, and the NZ Cup a week later.
Brighthill Farm stallion Eminent, a Group Two winner and dual Group One placed son of peerless racehorse and sire Frankel (Galileo) – currently leading the TRC Global Sires Rankings – was trained by Sir Mark Todd and owned by Sir Peter Vela.
From the first crop by Eminent, Court Of Appeal is out of a mare that won three times to 2200 metres, in turn from sensational staying mare Katy Keen (Zorro’s Lad), a Group Two and Group Three winner that won 10 times to 2500 metres.
Court Of Appeal is the second winner from Katy O’Beel, following Enright (Power), a three-time winner to 2100 metres.
Court Of Appeal was strapped by Amelia Southworth.
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NZ Thoroughbreds to the fore in The Everest
It is certainly not unusual for New Zealand breds to be amongst the thick of it in the spring at the Australian racing carnivals, however, historically, that has tended to be in the middle distance and staying races, not the sprints, particularly the richest sprint race in world racing but, remarkably, there are four New Zealand breds in this weekend’s Everest, including the odds on favourite and Nick Johnson of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association writes an intriguing story on this below
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“Punching above our weight”
I’ve said it before, many times, and it’s a phrase used in all sorts of contexts. But in my spectacularly biased view, you’d go a long way to find a more fitting expression of it than in the horses who carry the (NZ) suffix. And if we climb to the top of the ladder, which is Saturday — or as it’s been described, “the biggest day on the punt” — you’ll find that suffix there, with Kiwi horses and horse people punching a couple of weight classes above. ’m talking about The Everest, a race that since its inception has catapulted into the mainstream Australian audience.
Last week I spoke about the importance of creating that entry point into the sport, that first taste that leads to bigger and better things. I won’t go into it again here, other than to say it’s obvious what The Everest has achieved in that respect. What I want to highlight this week is the remarkable influence that New Zealand-bred horses, and beyond that the additional New Zealand human connections, will have on this year’s race. Before this year, only three New Zealand-bred horses had lined up in The Everest across its eight runnings. That’s hardly surprising — it’s a 1200-metre sprint, right in the wheelhouse of the Australian product, while New Zealand-breds have long been known for their strength over more ground.
This year, though, four horses will carry the (NZ) suffix, making up a third of the field. A closer look at those four horses highlights the breadth of their backgrounds, in both circumstance and pedigree.
The obvious place to start is with the short-priced favourite and current best sprinter in the world, Ka Ying Rising. It’s a story that’s been well told, but I’ll tell it again. He was bred by first-time breeder but long-time successful trainer and trader Fraser Auret, who sent his talented but injury-plagued mare Missy Moo to the stallion Shamexpress, a mare whose last start was in the 3200-metre Wellington Cup. From there, the foal arrived, was raised on the famous New Zealand grass, went through the Levin jump-outs, was provisionally sold, the buyer got cold feet, and was then purchased by David Hayes. He won a trial at Moe under the name Mr Express before heading to Hong Kong, being renamed Ka Ying Rising, and racing to greatness — greatness that could reach new heights should he win on Saturday.
The next is Jimmysstar, bred through the highly successful partnership of Pete and Chrissie Algie with Little Avondale Stud. By resident stallion Per Incanto, he is out of the Zed mare Anniestar, whose biggest success on the track came with victory in the 2014 Fielding Gold Cup over 2100 metres. Needing time because of leg issues, he was sent to Guy Lowry, who produced him to win two of his three starts. The second of those, a performance at Hawke’s Bay from barrier 15, was an early sign of what was to come. He was later sold to Australian interests, with the breeders retaining a share, and has since become a dual Australian Group One winner.
Then there’s War Machine, a horse that was twice passed in the Karaka sale ring before heading back home to Ardsley Stud. Bred in Masterton under the Wallace family’s MDJ Bloodstock banner, he was seen as too small at the time but proved otherwise soon enough, winning a Foxton trial that caught the right kind of attention. He was sold to clients of the late Michael Moroney, with the Wallace family staying in the ownership. He’s won seven of his fourteen starts and earned more than $2.6 million. There’ll be two people looking down from above cheering him on this Saturday.
Last but not least is Jedibeel, bred by Waikato Stud by the champ in Savabeel from their unraced O’Reilly mare Starry. The five-year-old gelding is one of five winners from six foals to race out of the mare, a family that also includes the tough stayer Starrybeel, winner of the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship. But while his full brother made his name over ground, Jedibeel’s pedigree also carries plenty of speed, tracing back to multiple Group One winner I Wish I Win. He was offered by Waikato Stud in the 2020 National Weanling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, bought by Dengaroka Lodge in New South Wales, and later sold through the Sydney Classic Yearling Sale the following year.
And then we cast the connection a little wider. While not New Zealand-bred, Joliestar carries a powerful Kiwi link as she’s owned by Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, ensuring she’ll one day produce her own New Zealand-breds. What an addition she’ll be to the broodmare band.
And beyond the horses themselves, the New Zealand influence runs even deeper, with trainers Chris Waller and Bjorn Baker, and jockeys James MacDonald and Michael Dee, all flying the flag on racing’s biggest sprint stage.
All told, it is a remarkable picture. Four New Zealand-breds — a third of the field — each from completely different backgrounds yet all shaped by the same hallmarks that make our horses so sought after around the world: toughness, temperament, and the ability to thrive wherever they go. Add in the New Zealand-born trainers, jockeys, and owners involved, and there is Kiwi influence on ten of the twelve runners in the world’s richest turf race.
Relative to our size, it’s yet another example of New Zealand showing its quality where it matters most. With domestic Group One action at Ellerslie in the Livamol Classic, and the Caulfield Cup across the ditch, enjoy “the biggest day on the punt” this Saturday.
The Kiwis, as always, will be right in the thick of it.
Go the Kiwi Breds! |
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Guest Commentator – Des Coppins
Greetings John and Fortuna followers
Firstly congratulations on your ownership group with the progressive stayer Court of Appeal at Ashburton last Saturday. She simply cruised in didn’t she and you could never count her out of the NZ Cup.
In fact it was the perfect trial. Her grand dam Katy Keen won the NZ St Leger. She has certainly peaked at the right time.
THE 80-20 BETTING SYSTEM
I’ve often been asked what systems do I have in place when it comes to punting? Like most I often have a wee play on just about every race when I’m on course but I play a little bit closer to my chest when at home and using the TAB app. There are so many betting options to choose these days, unlike when I first started punting.
Back in my twenties and thirties – and that seems so long ago – we only had win, place and the on course and TAB doubles to worry about. These days the betting opportunities are vast. The introduction of the quaddie heightened my interest and the added value of percentage betting gets me involved more often than not with quaddies in both Nz racing and at the big carnivals in Melbourne and Sydney as well.\
However, as far as I’m concerned, there’s no better bet than the old die hard, the each way bet. If I’m reasonably confident I’ll play the runner each way every time but with the always cautious 80-20 strategy. Most punters simply use the traditional win bet or each way bet but I prefer to play my fancy, irrespective of the odds, 2 units over 8.
If you look at statistics it is clear that the majority of horses, unless they are a Winx or a Black Caviar, don’t win as often as they are placed so it really doesn’t make sense to place the exact amount on both the win and place.
If I’m backing a $5 win chance, it’s probably showing $1.70 or $1.80 for a place. Therefore if it runs second or third the 80-20 rule will still lands us a profit.
And I never back the tote! It’s always a Fixed Odds bet.
WHY THE CAULFIELD CUP IS THE BEST LEAD UP TO THE MELBOURNE CUP
In the last 50 or so years, the Caulfield Cup and the Mackinnon Stakes are the two most successful lead up races to the Melbourne Cup and between them they’ve produced 29 of the last 54 Melbourne Cup winners. Of course the Mackinnon doesn’t count now as it’s moved to the last day of the Flemington carnival.
History shows most Melbourne Cup runners do use the Caulfield Cup as the best lead up race and 24 of the last 54 Melbourne Cup winners have done so. Incredibly, no Melbourne Cup winner raced in the Caulfield Cup between 2008 and 2019. When people ask me for my tip this far out from the Melbourne Cup I hesitate before simply saying I’ll wait until I’ve analysed closely how the Caulfield Cup unfolds.
HALF YOURS IS THE ONE TO BEAT – BE WARY OF BIRDMAN!
As far as my picks are concerned for the Caulfield Cup I’m satisfied HALF YOURS will justify the favouritism and be the logical one. He’s flying. His win in the Naturalism at Caulfield on September 20 was big but even bigger was the Turnbull Stakes run into 4th behind Sir Delius, Andino and Via Sistina.
If I was saving on another it’d be BIRDMAN from the Waller yard. He got well out of his ground in the Metropolitan at Randwick a fortnight ago but he hit the line as good as any after settling second last in the running. I liked the run a lot.
He came to Melbourne last year as a 4yo and had one unplaced run in the Geelong Cup. He’s continued to improve under Chris Waller’s regime since. The odds should be 20 to one or more.
WHAT AN AMAZING AFTERNOON WE HAVE IN STORE TOMORROW
How good? The Livamol Classic at Ellerslie; the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne and the Everest in Sydney all clashing on Saturday. The world pools will go gang busters.
The Everest racegoers are in for something very special with the highest rated sprinter in the world, Ka Ying Rising, the NZ bred flyer. I see he’s around $1.70.
Is he a better bet on the nose than either say Jimmysstar, Joliestar or Briassa, who are all playing even money or more for a place?
Hmm, I’m not sure! While taking on board he’s a freakish sprinter in Hong Kong where he’s beaten the best as well as some of the European sprinters who have come across for group ones like the Chairman’s sprint in April and the Longines Sprint in December, the Hong Kong champ hasn’t yet faced a group of elite Aussie sprinters and, as recent results in the UK will tell us, the Aussie sprinters are the best in the world!
I’ll be cheering for Ka Ying Rising for racing’s sake but I’ll be equally enthusiastic with my 80:20 bet on either Jimmysstar, Joliestar or Briassa.
THREE WORTH FOLLOWING FROM ASHBURTON
EIGHT LUCKY PRAWNS : he never saw daylight down the straight and had he found clear air earlier at the top of the straight and not just in the last 100 metres he would’ve at least run second and not fifth. If he gets a decent surface I’ll be on again.
LORD WEYBURN: he’s new to the south and his run at Ashburton confirms he won’t take long in winning from his new stable. He copped his share of trouble when looking for racing room in the straight.
THIRD DECREE: to run third in the open sprint tells us that this 6yo mare won’t be out of of it in the TAB Mile over the Cup carnival or more especially the Canterbury Breeders Stakes; a race she ran second in last year.
Good punting!
Des Coppins
021 448 052
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