Fortuna galloper BEAU GESTE won his 2nd Hurdles race at just his 4th attempt, in stylish fashion at Te Aroha 5th September, providing his ownership group with a nice Father’s Day present. Backing up from a solid 4th placing on the flat in the Jumpers Highweight four days previously at Matamata, Beau Geste, ridden by 18-year-old apprentice Dean Parker, had only three rivals to contend with in this Open Hurdles event, but one of them was his well performed stablemate, Mizzena, who had won both of her previous two starts over Hurdles and was sent out a $1.50 favourite. It was the John Wheeler runner, Remarx, however, who set a solid tempo, getting out to a 10 length lead with a bit over a round to go – Parker set out to narrow the gap and gradually worked closer – on turning for home Remarx was about a length to the good of his rival, but Beau Geste was bridging the gap steadily, with Mizzena about three lengths back and under a bit of a ride. Jumping the last together, Remarx still held a slight edge, but Beau Geste would not be denied and got the better of his rival in the closing strides, winning by a long neck

Click HERE to see the race result and replay

Trainer, Kevin Myers, was pretty happy with his charge “he is going well this horse in his first season of jumping – he has taken everything we have thrown at him and has taken it all in his stride – he will be an even better jumper next season”

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, who was watching the race on Trackside TV from his Hamilton home, said “that was exciting to watch – he ran nicely at Riccarton in two Hurdles races (including the Grand National) for a 2nd and a 4th on a Heavy Track – the firmer track today suited him nicely I think – kudos to Kevin Myers, who has got this horse going great and thanks also to Dean Parker, who has now won twice on Beau Geste for us”

Beau Geste, who carries the stable name “Wolf”, boasts an impressive pedigree, with his Sire being the English Derby winner, Pour Moi and out of the mare Villa Wanda, this making him a three-quarter brother to the multiple group one winning Wall Street. 

Bred by Kevin Hickman, Beau Geste was selected by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2016 Karaka Premier Yearling sale for $32,500 – he is raced by the Fortuna Beau Geste Syndicate an ownership group of 23 individuals. He has now won 5 races from 28 starts and $55,000 in prize money

Beau Geste was strapped by Caley Myers

Fortuna has three  runners in NZ Friday, Sunday and Monday  and 4 in Singapore (but two are on ballot and need scratchings in Singapore

New Zealand

Khafeef resumes at Hawera Friday 3rd of September r in the rating 65 1600m event  -race seven at 3:02 pm-  last raced in May but has trialed and is very fit -does have a difficult draw in this event but has the benefit of a 2kg apprentice rider claim – has shown form in this sort of event before and could feature with the right run

Beau Geste contests the Open Hurdles at Te Aroha on Sunday – race 3 at 1pm – ran 4^th in the Grand National Hurrdles and was 4^th on  the flat Matamata last Wednesday – talented jumper, small field – is right in this

Leaderboard resumes at Ashburton on Monday, 6 September in the Open 1600 – strong winning performances at his two previous starts in the Autumn and two nice trials after a good spell would indicate that he is up to the task here – on a path to the NZ Cup in November and may need this run but can feature

Singapore

Brutus runs in the class 4 1000m Polytrack – race three at 5 pm – running good races without winning he gets his chance here with senior rider Harry Kasim aboard  – does have a tricky barrier to contend with but with the right run can feature.

Sportscaster is in the class 5 1700m Polytrack event  – race nine at 8 pm – but does need a scratching to get a start – has drawn very wide which probably suits him anyway and if he does get a run can  run into the money

Marcus Antonius is also in race nine but needs two scratchings to get a start – a dour staying type he can feature in the unlikely event that he gets a start

Elliot Ness runs in the class 4 1000 Polytrack – race 11 at 9 pm – setting a track record three starts back he disappointed at his last start but has since been freshened – has drawn perfectly in Barrier 2, gets the benefit of Singapore‘s leading rider K Hakim and the benefit of his 2 kg claim – can win

“Elliot Ness” – Debut win Singapore in track record time – 24th April 2021

Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

No timed trackwork Fortuna runners this week

Fortuna launches Fathers Day “Special” – 10% off current Syndication opportunity

Here we go – Father’s Day is coming up and what better way to celebrate Dad’s day (be it your hubby, your Dad or even just Dad himself) than acquiring a share in a Fortuna syndicated racehorse, particularly when there is a 10% discount – right now we have just one option available, that is the 3yo Gelding, BRIGGS, who is in work with Mark Walker in Singapore and expected to make his raceday debut mid to late November 2021

Just $864 (with discount) for each 1% share and $40 per month ongoing from 1 October – only 25% left so be quick if you want to get involved!!

Click HERE to read all about Briggs and purchase shares online

  Briggs – in Singapore 6th August

When ordering through the website please enter the code “dads” in the coupon code area on the order page and click “apply coupon”

Fortuna has five runners this weekend of 28/29 August- 2 in NZ  and 3 in Singapore

New Zealand

(Note NZ racing will only take place if we are at Level 3)

Khafeef races at Awapuni on Saturday – he is in the rating 65 benchmark 1550 meter event (race eight at 3:02pm) and will be ridden by apprentice Liam Kauri claiming 4kgs –  drawn nicely in barrier 2, this is a resuming run for him ,but seems to have found a weak field here – can certainly finish among the place getters with the right run

Beau Geste races at Matamata on Sunday –  he is in race two at 11:40am – the rating 74 and jumpers highweight 2600m event – going back to the flat after two recent hurdle starts at Riccarton, he gets in on the minimum here with rider Dean Parker claiming a further three kgs off his back – drawn nicely in barrier 4 he is rock hard fit and can certainly feature in this event

Singapore

Sportscaster will contest the class five 1200 polytrack event – (race six at 6:30pm) with Te Akau stable apprentice and Singapore’ leading rider K Hakim to ride claiming 2kg – drawn nicely for this trip which is probably too short for him but blinkers pacifiers go on – can give a good showing if he gets the right run – capable of running in the first four

Hidden Promise contest the class five 1600 polytrack event –  (race seven at 7 pm) – also to be ridden by Hakim he jumps from barrier 2 and will carry just 53.5 with the claim – won at this trip emphatically from a similar barrier two starts ago and is a definite each way chance here

Entertainer is in race 10 at 8.30pm – the class 4 1000m Polytrack event – this horse has certainly entertained us winning four of his last five race day starts since January – goes up to class three here which he will find much tougher – has had a nice freshen up, does have a difficult draw to contend with, however he is a natural front runner, has Hakim in the saddle with a very valuable 2 kg claim bringing his carried weight down to 51.5 – if he gets his own way in front he can be writing this at the finish

Entertainer makes it 4 wins in Singapore – 12th June 2021

Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

No timed trackwork Fortuna runners this week

HADEER, a five year old gelding by Savabeel out of A Real Princess, a dominant last start winner, repeated the dose with another strong all the way win in the hands of Te Akau stable apprentice Jerlyn Seow, Singapore’s only female rider, to take out the Class 4 1200 meter race on the Turf at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse 22nd August. Sent out a clear favourite, Hadeer had drawn nicely in Barrier 2 in a field of 12 runners – the race plan was to jump well and lead – this plan was executed perfectly by Jerlyn and Hadeer was never challenged in the run – turning for home with a nice break, he kicked away further in the straight and kept extending to the line with Jerlyn not moving a muscle on him, finishing with a 4.3 length margin at the line

Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna director John Galvin, watching from his New Zealand home was ecstatic after watching the resounding victory “That was amazing to watch, Jerlyn had to use a bit of petrol to get to the front and the early sectionals were quick, so I was wondering if he could see it out, but in the end it was an effortless win. Full marks to Jerlyn who had a winning double on the night and big kudos to Mark Walker who has really got this horse firing.”

Hadeer – wins at Kranji 22nd August 2021

Trainer Mark Walker who also scored a winning double on the day, was very satisfied with the Hadeer victory “Excellent result, we have really worked this horse out, blinkers on, space his races and he doesn’t mind a wet track either – he has a nice future here in Singapore. Congrats to  John Galvin and his Fortuna NZ Stable team – Hadeer’s win was their 12th win here in Singapore for 2021”

HADEER was a winner in Australia at Pakenham in August of 2019 for his  owners at the time, Shadwell Stud. He was acquired by Jessica Galvin, on the recommendation of Mark Walker, at the October 2019 Inglis Sale for A$22,500 – as a Yearling offered at the Inglis 2017 Easter Sale HADEER had fetched A$620,000 for his prominent NZ breeder, the Taupo based John Bromley.

HADEER is raced by the Fortuna Hadeer Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 46 individuals and has now had 3 wins, and several minor placings from 13 raceday starts in Singapore, accumulating  S$95,000 in prizemoney to date

Fortuna has six runners this Sunday 22^nd – 2 at Rotorua on Sunday and 4 in Singapore

New Zealand

Beau Geste contests the Open Hurdles 3000m at Rotorua on Sunday 22nd (race three at 12:15pm) – a well beaten 4th in the Grand National Hurdles over 4200m at his last start, he’s back in trip here to 3000m and arguably weaker company – still learning the game but has performed well from just three starts over the hurdles (for a Maiden win and a 2^nd in Open company), he represents a good each way chance here

Beau Geste –  Awapuni 10th July 2021
 

Khafeef is resuming after three months away from the track in the R65 Highweight – 1560m (Race 10 at 4,25pm) – a natural staying type this trip may be too short and the track will be very testing – he will be running home strongly  late

NB – The Rotorua meeting on Sunday will not proceed if Level 4 ie extended from midnight on Friday 20^th – if Level 3 is in place races will go ahead but with no public attendance

Singapore

Marcus Antonius contests the Class five 2000m Turf (race 2 @ 4:30pm). Ran a bold second at his first attempt this trip 18th of July -has a lovely draw, a light weight and Singapore‘s leading rider, K Hakim aboard – is one of the leading chances in this race and can win

Here is what the STC tipsters say about this race;

1st Pick: MARCUS ANTONIUS (12)

Genuine player in a field like this. Has form over the distance and must be respected from a leading stable.

2nd Pick: TONY’S LOVE (10)

Has form over this distance and never too far away from the winners in his races. One of the easier fields he has met here.

3rd Pick: PISCA PISCA (6)

Trainer loves preparing horses for this distance and this runner looks primed to pounce in this grade and last few runs have been okay.

4th Pick: RESURGENCE (5)

Wasn’t at his best last start but gets a chance to redeem himself in a field of this depth. Stable in form lately.

Brutus races in the Class four 1200m Turf (race 3 @ 5pm) – this horse never seems to get luck with barrier draws and once again he has drawn outside. Singapore’s leading jockey K Hakim claims 2kgs – race tactics will be to be positive from the draw and look to get up on the speed in the run – will certainly need a lot of luck to feature in this event

Federation contests the Kranji Stakes C1600m Turf (race 9 @ 8 pm) – backing up from 1400m last week where he finished a close-up fifth, he meets a very strong field here but does get the benefit of Jerlyn Seow’s 4 kg claim – there are talented gallopers in this field that he will have to get past but he is a six win horse in Singapore and is racing in very good form – presents as a good  top four chance

Hadeer races in the Class 4 1200m Turf (race 11 at 9 pm) – a strong all the way win this grade, this trip on 25th of July, he again gets the services of stable apprentice Jerlyn Seow, with her 4 kg claim once – this well bred son of Savabeel loves to lead and bowl along in front – he gets a perfect draw to do that again this time and should prove very hard to run down if he gets it all is own way in front

Hadeer – wins at Kranji 25th July 2021

Here is what the STC tipsters say about this race;

1st Pick: STRONG N SMART (6)

Lost no marks when he contested the Group 3 3YO Sprint. Back in his element and should find this easier. Working well on the training tracks, including a second in a barrier trial on July 27. Commands respect.

2nd Pick: HADEER (5)

Made all at his last start over same course and distance with blinkers on. Apprentice jockey Jerlyn Seow Poh Hui stays on and there is no reason why they can’t double up.

3rd Pick: SHEPHERD’S HYMN (1)

Looking to make amends from last-start failure three and a half months ago. Freshened up and may need the run. Can still fill the minors.

4th Pick: MAGNIFIQUE (3)

Opened account at long odds last time out. Reverts to turf over which he has not been successful. Vastly-improved, though, and is worth a place bet.

 Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

Tuesday 17th

Charmaine’s Dream (M Roustoby) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 54.3, last 600 in 39.3.

Madame Moet (A Gujar) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1 minute, last 600 in 46

Thursday 19^th

No timed trackwork Fortuna runners today

Federation races in Singapore Sunday 15th of February – he is in the Class three 1400 meter Turf – (race 11 at 9 pm NZR) and will be ridden by Shafiq Rusof from barrier 10 in a field of 12 runners. Federation has had a very successful career in Singapore being the winner of six races and collecting over $270,000 in prize money – he is in very good form but does have a difficult barrier to overcome, not helped by the fact that the rail is in the D position and so will need a lot of luck in the running  – if he gets it he can certainly feature in the finish

“Federation” – 5th Career win at Kranji – February 2021

Fortuna has two runners this weekend – 1 at Riccarton Saturday and 1 in Singapore Sunday

Beau Geste races in the Open Hurdles 3100m at Riccarton on Saturday (race one at 11:35 am) – he has had four solid flat races since winning a Maiden Hurdles event at Wanganui in May and is rockhard fit – will be ridden by Dean Parker again in a small field of five runner.  The field is small but strong, however he is a talented jumper and can feature in this event

Hidden Promise races in Singapore in the Class five 1600 Polytrack event (race five at 6pm New Zealand time)  – this impressive last start winner will be ridden again by Shafiq Rusof – unfortunately he has drawn barrier 11 in a field of 12 runners which will make things a bit tricky for him – strong win last time, same grade, same trip, he will be sure to give his best as always but will need some luck from the draw – if he gets it he can certainly run into the money

 Hidden Promise winning – Kranji racecourse – 25th July 2021

Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

Tuesday 3^rd

Dancarina (R Khan) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1 minute, last 600 in 46.1.

Thursday 5^th

Polaris (K Cherrie).worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 59, last 600 in 43.

Fortuna has two runners this weekend – 1 at Otaki Saturday and 1 in Singapore Sunday

Beau Geste races at Otaki Saturday 31^st – he is in the rating 65 2000m event (race  one at 12:05 pm). This is a lead up race into the Open Hurdles at Riccarton Saturday the 7^th  he ran in a similar event at Awapuni 10th of July for a close-up fast finishing sixth  placing – Sarah MacNab to ride – always capable in a race like this – 1s rock hard fit but will need to carry 58.5kgs  on a heavy 11!!

Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

Tuesday 27^th

Leaderboard (S Pillay) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 54.9, last 600 in 40.2.

Thursday 29th

Madame Moet (H Durrant) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1 minute, last 600 in 45.5.

Hayate (B King) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 58.8, home in 43.8.

An excellent day for the Fortuna NZ Racing Stable in Singapore with two winners – Hidden Promise in race six winning for the seventh time in Singapore  and three races later Hadeer winning for the second time in the jurisdiction.

HADEER, a five year old gelding by Savabeel out of A Real Princess, put on a strong front running effort in the hands of Te Akau stable apprentice Jerlyn Seow, to take out the Class 4 1200 meter race on the turf at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse 25th of July. Sent out at odds of $17 to win, Hadeer had drawn awkwardly in barrier 9 in a field of 12 runners – the race plan was to try and get away well and lead and this plan was executed perfectly by Jerlyn – straight into the lead, Hadeer was never challenged in the run – turning for home with a nice break, he kicked away further in the straight and while his margin was eaten into somewhat in the closing stages, he went to the line clear by 2.5 lengths.

Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna director John Galvin, watching from his New Zealand home was really excited to have his second winner for the Fortuna NZ Stable on the day “Gee, Hadeer gave us a lovely sight didn’t he? – perfectly ridden by Jerlyn, who is really hitting her straps in her first year of riding – and a big credit to Mark Walker and his team. Mark had decided after trying Hadeer at 1400m that shorter trips were his go – applying the blinkers and putting Jerlyn on with her 4 kg allowance masterstrokes

Hadeer – winning at Kranji 25th July 2021

Trainer Mark Walker was also a very happy man “that was a lovely effort by the horse and rider – it’s always good when a race plan works out and with the awkward draw, we knew we had to try and get away well and lead in order to be a winning chance – it was great to be able to train a second winner on the day for John Galvin and his Fortuna team – they are great supporters of my stable up here in Singapore”

HADEER was a winner in Australia at Pakenham in August of 2019 for his  owners at the time, Shadwell Stud.  HADEER was acquired by Jessica Galvin, on the recommendation of Mark Walker, at the October 2019 Inglis Sale for A$22,500 – as a Yearling offered at the Inglis 2017 Easter Sale HADEER had fetched A$620,000 for his prominent NZ breeder, the Taupo based John Bromley.

HADEER is raced by the Fortuna Hadeer Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 46 individuals and has now had 2 wins, and several minor placings from 12 raceday starts in Singapore, accumulating just under S$70,000 in prizemoney to date

An excellent day for the Fortuna NZ Racing Stable in Singapore with two winners – Hidden Promise in race six winning for the seventh time in Singapore  and three races later Hadeer winning for the second time in the jurisdiction.

Hidden Promise may be turning nine years old on 1 August but no one has told him that and he produced a  scintillating display to win the Class 5 1600m Polytrack event by 3.3 lengths. Hidden Promise had previously won 6 races in Singapore and 5 of them were at the 1600 meter trip so he was at a perfect distance – drawn barrier 2 and with former two time Singapore Champion apprentice Shafiq Rusof in the saddle, he looked very well-placed.

Running in 4th position one out from the rail, Hidden Promise looked to be really comfortable during the run – Shafiq peeled him out to a three wide position on turning and from there the horse extended, grabbed the leader  down the straight and went to the line strongly.

   Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, watching from his New Zealand home was really pleased with what he saw “Bart“ as we call Hidden Promise hardly ever runs a bad race but has not had a lot of luck in recent runs. He seem to be very well-placed tonight, was perfectly ridden by Shafiq and gave a great thrill to his ownership group – it’s good to see the “old team“ of Walker, Shafiq and Fortuna in action again as we have had many winners together over the years in Singapore  and during his New Zealand stint in 2018/19 Shafiq rode several winners for including three wins on the Champion Fortuna Mare, Melody Belle, two of them at Group One level – it’s been a great association – full kudos to Mark Walker and his team – Hidden Promise is one of the soundest horses in Singapore despite his age and it’s a great credit to the training team.”

HIDDEN PROMISE winning – Kranji racecourse – 25th July 2021

Trainer Mark Walker said “lovely win by Hidden Promise and a professional ride by Shafiq – Hidden Promise is  a real favourite in the stable and he’s still got a bit left in him yet – congrats to John and his Fortuna Team, they are great supporters of Singapore racing and deserve every success they get.”

Successful rider, Rizuan Shafiq, returning to scale on HIDDEN PROMISE

Hidden Promise (Postponed-Promissory) was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndicators at the 2014 NZB Ready to Run Sale for NZ$65,000 and has now accumulated S$252,000 for the Fortuna Hidden Promise Syndicate, an ownership group comprising 29 individuals.