Saturday 11th July saw the resumption of Singapore racing after a  99 day pause due to Covid-19. The Fortuna Stable presented three runners, Hadeer and Ronaldo’s Dream, both making their Singapore debuts and the veteran Hidden Promise, already a 5 win horse in Singapore. The stable view was that all three were top four chances with Hidden Promise probably the best chance. Hadeer, a 4yo Gelding  (Savabeel – A Real Princess), who was a winner in Australia for his previous owners, Shadwell Stud, was ignored by punters and was the rank outsider in his Class 4 event over 1000 metres. Defying the punter’s dismissal of him, he ran a very bold race on debut finishing 2nd, beaten 3/4 of a length.

Ronaldo’s Dream, a 3yo Gelding (Darci Brahma – Sweet Dreams Baby) was up next in the Restricted Maiden event over 1100m. A Maiden, he had had three starts in NZ in the spring of 2019, all for minor placings, before being sent to Singapore to race. Drawing barrier 6 in a 12 horse field, his rider, the Stable apprentice, K Hakim, who was claiming 4kgs, had him away well from the barriers and into a nice spot in 4th place one off the rails. Relaxing nicely, Ronaldo traveled well in the run, Hakim pulled him out to the centre of the track on  turning and set off after the leaders who had established a three length break – steadily he reeled them in and went to the line 1.5 lengths clear of the 2nd horse. Click HERE to see the race replay.

Ronaldo’s Dream was acquired by Fortuna Director, John Galvin at the 2018 Karaka Yearling Sale for NZ$80,000 out of the draft of Phoenix Park. John picks up the story, “Ronaldo was a horse I had liked since I first saw him as a weanling at Te Akau Stud. Fortuna had previously acquired his two full sisters, Darci’s Dream and Windborne, both stakes winning fillies and we had also acquired his half brother, Colorado Prince (by Alamosa), also a race day winner here in NZ, so we knew the family well. Not a natural 2yo, we took Ronaldo along quietly before giving him his race day debut at Matamata in August, where he ran 5th on a Heavy track, that was followed by an improvers run for 4th at Ruakaka and then a fighting 2nd at Taupo. Clearly he had ability, however the stable view was that he still lacked maturity as a spring 3yo and was unlikely to be competitive in the top 3yo races. Accordingly, we recommended to his Ownership group that he go to Singapore to race. The Syndicate Members agreed and now they have been rewarded with this nice result. I  want to acknowledge that David and Karyn Ellis bred this horse (they were also the breeders of Darci’s Dream, Windborne and Colorado Prince) and a big thanks to them for putting him up for sale. A big thanks also to Trainer Mark Walker and his team for producing Rnaldo’s Dream in great order and thanks to Hakim for a great riding effort”

“Ronaldo’s Dream” – Wins on Singapore debut 11 July 2020

Now eligible for Novice Grade, Trainer Mark Walker will take Ronaldo along quietly  and set targets for him as he progresses – he is a potential contender for the Singapore Guineas which has been deferred until 26th September due to Covid-19.

Ronaldo’s Dream is raced by the Fortuna Ronaldo’s Dream Syndicate, an ownership group of 51 Members, 16 of whom were brand new to the Fortuna family when they took shares in this syndicate.

Finally, Hidden Promise ran boldly for a 4th placing later in the day, capping off a solid result for the Fortuna NZ Stable on resumption day.

Fortuna horses racing this week are at Te Rapa – the 2yo Filly CHARMAINE’S DREAM on debut and the 3yo Filly RHAPSODY IN BLUE

CHARMAINE’S DREAM, a 2019 Ready To Run graduate, has really impressed her handlers in her preps to date – she has trialed well and is all set to make bold debut at Te Rapa in the 2yo 1000m event Race 1 at 10.30am in the hands of Danielle Johnson – unfortunately she has a horror draw at 14 over the 1000m trip, so is hard to be confident of her being a winning chance.

Charmaine’s Dream

RHAPSODY IN BLUE has had a quiet 3yo season since breaking Maidens in the Spring, however she is another who has trialed well and looks well place in this Rating 64 event over 1200m – Danielle to ride this one also and with a wee bit of a tricky gate at Barrier 10 to contend with – she is a reasonable each way chance

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 30^th June

Charmaine’s Dream (O Bosson) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 56.8, last 600 in 41.1.

Rhapsody In Blue (C Burdan) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.10.5, last 600 in 41.5.

Burgundy Belle (J Kamaruddin) looked good working at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1.02, last 600 in 46.

Khafeef (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1.02, last 600 in 44.5.

In other news, Singapore Racing will get underway after lockdown on Saturday 11^th July with a 12 race programme – Fortuna will have three definite starters with three more on the ballot  – more on that in next week’s Friday Flash

In Australia MELODY BELLE is coming to hand nicely with an exhibition gallop and a trial planned during July and new season debut in the Missile Stakes (Group 2 1200m) at Rosehill 8^th August

The Fortuna NZ Stable ranks in Singapore gained another newcomer late March when the Three Year Old gelding ENTERTAINER exited quarantine and entered the barn of current Singapore Champion Trainer, Mark Walker. ENTERTAINER (by Zoustar out of Laughing) had been acquired from his previous Ownership group in Australia in late December – a high priced yearling, he was a dominant winner of a trial in Australia in September, then raced four times with close up placings, but not winning. His ownership group decided to move him on and when Mark Walker and Fortuna’s John Galvin reviewed his form, they determined that he would be an ideal type for Singapore.

“We did not pay a lot of money for this horse,”says John Galvin, “and now that he has arrived in Singapore and been in Mark Walker’s hands for several weeks, we are convinced that we got a great bargain, as he is a horse with plenty of size and scope with a really nice galloping action.”

Click HERE to see a Video Clip of ENTERTAINER parading in Singapore recently with voiceover from Trainer Mark Walker.

Entertainer in Singapore March 2020

A 5% share in Entertainer all inclusive of Initial Purchase cost, transport to Singapore, Insurance to 31 Jan 2021 and syndicate working capital is NZ$3680 with ongoing monthly costs of NZ$180 from 1 May. Shares are available in any percentage right down to 1% – Click HERE to read complete details on ENTERTAINER and to access our online ordering page. Note also that in the light of the Covid-19 situation, Fortuna is offering for a limited period a 10% “Hard Times” discount on all share purchases.

Fortuna horses racing this week are – MELODY BELLE in the Group One Doncaster Mile at Randwick Saturday 4^th April – Race 9 at 7.17pm NZT

Melody Belle is primed for this race but does have to lug topweight of 57kgs. Drawn 14 she will probably jump from 11 with withdrawals of the emergencies – Opie says “perfect draw for her”. Track is a Soft 5 today with significant rain forecast tonight so could race as a Soft 7 – no problem for her. She has firmed a touch in the betting today and is the race favourite at around $7 to $7.50 with most bookies – 3yo Brandenburg who shot into favourtism after barrier draws came out, has eased a bit to $7.50 and Super Seth is around $9.50 – the rest are all double figures – my bet will be 1 unit to Win on Melody Belle and 3 Units to Place – I reckon that’s a smart bet at these sort of odds, plus I am picking Trifecta and First 4 could be huge so will be trying to find the right combinations there as well

No Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners – and there will be none for at least the next four weeks

Fortuna horses racing this week are – in Singapore,  Sportscaster – Race 2 and Showbound – Race 5  – Friday evening 27^th March

Sportscaster has raced well without luck – two 2nd’s in a row over 1600m and with difficult draws to contend with – tonight he steps up to 1700m and gets Barrier 4 with leading Singapore rider Vlad Duric in the saddle. He will be hard to beat in this Class 5 event.

Sportscaster

Showbound made his Singapore debut at his last start, finishing a creditable 6^th of an outside barrier draw. Tonight he races over 1100m same Grade (Restricted Maiden), gets Barrier 3 and has Alysha Collett to ride. He trialed very nicely last week and presents as a good each way chance in this

No Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners – and there will be none for at least the next four weeks

Fortuna Director John Galvin was at the Flemington Visitors Stables this morning to check on the Fortuna and Te Akau Stable Star Melody Belle – click HERE to see the footage

Melody Belle at Flemington Visitor Stables 13th March

Fortuna horses racing this week are – in Singapore, Federation – Race 5 Friday evening, and on Sunday Brutus – Race 2 and Sportscaster – Race 7 – and of course in Melbourne on Saturday, Star Mare, Melody Belle contests the world’s richest Mile race, the All Star Mile, for total prizemoney of A$5.5m

Federation ran a solid 3^rd this trip for first time at last start – better for that run, he is right in this race – he needs to run1st or 2^nd to be a contender for the S$400k Group 2 Stewards Cup Friday 27^th March – he is a good each way chance in this Friday’s race. John Powell retains the ride.

Brutus, with two thirds and two seconds from his four Singapore runs to date is a very good chance in his race – beaten a close 2^nd in Novice Grade last time and now back in Restricted maiden Grade, he has a slightly tricky draw to contend with (Barrier 8) over the 1000m trip, but we have elected to claim with the highly talented K Hakim to ride and claiming 4kgs – Can win and would be surprising if not in first 3

Sportscaster cannot take a trick – 2^nd last time over 1600m, we wanted to race him over 1800m last week – that race was cancelled due to insufficient entries, so we have elected to run over 1600m again – and he has drawn the outside barrier from the tricky 1600m start on the Poly track – Vlad Duric takes the mount. He is a chance in this but would need a lot of luck to go his way

Melody Belle, a 10 time Group One winner meets nine other Group One winners in a field of 15 runners in this wonderful race, she is absolutely primed for this, great trackwork on Tuesday with Opie Bosson saying she had never felt better, 2^nd up, a bit of give in the track, perfect draw at Barrier 5. She is in this boots and all – can win but is certainly a very strong each way chance.

Melody Belle with Opie Bosson aboard – Haunui Farms Otaki Mile – Group One – February 2019

Fortuna Trainer Jamie Richards is taking all before him at the moment – now ranked No 6 Trainer in the World by the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary international rankings, he was featured on both TV 1 and TV 3 news this week with respect to Melody Belle running in the All Star Mile this week – Click HERE to see the TV 1 News clip

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 10th March

Sand

Beau Geste (R.Cole) worked over 1200 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.25, home in 43.

Khafeef (C.Burdan) worked over an easy 800 metres, home in 40.

Burgundy Belle (S.Pillay) worked solo over an easy 800 metres in 57, home in 41.

Thursday 12th March

Plough

Beau Geste (M.Roustoby) worked over an easy 1200 metres in 1.24.6, home in 38.7.

Burgundy Belle (M.Roustoby) galloped over 800 metres, home in 36.2.

Leaderboard (O.Bosson) worked over 1000 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.13, home in 43.

Fortuna horses racing this week are in Singapore, Hidden Promise – Race 1 Friday evening and Red Rover – race 9 Saturday evening

Hidden Promise, a five time winner in Singapore at this 1600m trip, certainly gets his chance in this very even field. Nice barrier draw at 4, top rider in Benny Woodworth, at a dangerous place in the weights, he presents as a very good each way chance.

Red Rover, chasing his 5th career win, never runs a bad race and he presents as a good winning chance in this Class 3 1000m trip on the Poly – drawn perfectly at Barrier 4 but may start from 3, he will get a sweet trip in the hands of Singapore Champion jockey, Vlad Duric

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 3^rd March

No Fortuna track work today

Thursday  5^th March

Plough

Khafeef (C.Burdan) worked at three-quarter pace over 800 metres in 59.8, home in 44.

Singapore Track work this week – Fortuna runners

Hidden Promise (Jerlyn)– 800m/600m 38.5;

Federation (Syahir) – C, 1000m ¾ /600m 40.8;

Ronaldo’s Dream (Aiman) – 800m ¾ /600m 39.4;

Hadeer (Jerlyn)-  600m 42.9

Cassius(Woodworth)– 600m 43;

Brutus (Duric) – 800m ¾ /600m 38.1;

Red Rover (Collett) – 800m/600m 37.8

Fortuna runners this week are, on Friday in Singapore,  Sportscaster in the Class 5 1600m on the Poly – Race 6, while the same venue in Saturday sees the 3yo Showbound, make his debut in the Restricted Maiden event on the Turf – Race 2, and Beau Geste tackles the Rating 65 2100 at Awapuni on Friday

Sportscaster is right in this event, nice draw, top rider in Vlad Duric, an even field and he is getting very fit – a good each way chance

Showbound has not put a foot wrong in his first Singapore preparation, he trialed beautifully the week before last and is primed to run well – unfortunately he has drawn barrier 14 of 14 runners and that will make it very difficult for him – Alysha Collett takes the mount and with luck in the running, he could sneak into the placings.

Beau Geste led most of the way Sunday 16^th Feb at Gisborne over 1600m, today at Awapuni he gets out to 2100m and will be significantly improved from his Gisborne run – Jonathan Parkes to ride – drawn wide but he will go forward and be up on the speed. A Good each way chance

 Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Tuesday 25^th Feb

 Plough

 Racing at Awapuni on Friday, Beau Geste (M Roustoby) galloped over 1200 metres in 1.24, home in 41.1.

Burgundy Belle (M Roustoby) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 50.1, last 600 in 36.3.

Thursday  27^th Feb

 Plough

 Khafeef (C Burdan) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres, last 400 in 31.

Fortuna runners this week are, on Friday in Singapore,  Hidden Promise in the Class 5 1100m on the Poly – Race 5 and  Federation in the Class 3 1400 on the Turf – Race 7,  Melody Bellecontests the Group One Futurity Stakes at Caulfield Saturday – Race 6, Leaderboard is in the last at Matamata, the rating 72 2000m the same day and Beau Geste tackles the Rating 65 2100 at Gisborne on Sunday

Hidden Promise is racing over a trip that will be too short for him but will be a useful stepping stone for when he goes up to the Mile on 6^th March

Federation, a four win horse in Singapore, steps up to 1400m for the first time – the trip will not bother him, he has drawn the ace, has Johnny Powell to ride, but does meet a very strong field – can win but won’t be easy – Each Way

Melody Belle is all class as we know – is resuming over 1400m in a Group One race at Caulfield – not an easy task – her work is spot on, she has drawn Barrier 3 in a field of 8 runners, Opie takes the mount – heavy rain earlier in the week has softened the track – she is right in this but meets some quality types in Kolding and Super Seth. Each Way

Leaderboard, who won two races in a row at Riccarton in the late spring in very stylish fashion, disappointed significantly at Te Aroha in January. He has not put a foot wrong since and cannot be faulted. Home track, senior rider in Michael McNab, does have to lug 60kgs but can atone – Each Way

Beau Geste led most of the way last Sunday at Gisborne over 1600m, this Sunday he gets out to 2100m at Wairoa and will be significantly improved from last week – he has the in form apprentice Chelsea Burdan aboard claiming 3kgs – drawn nicely at barrier 2, he will race on the speed and can feature in this event.

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 18^th Feb

Plough

Burgundy Belle (M Grylls) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres, running the last 600 in 45.

Thursday  20^th Feb

Plough

 Leaderboard (R Kozaki) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres and quickened for the last 600 – no time due to heavy fog