MELODY BELLE – Horse Of The Year– yes she did it – a great honour for this wonderful racemare and a huge thrill for her Ownership Group (37 individuals), not to mention a great vindication for the principle of syndication – i.e where are a large number of people, each outlaying a relatively small amount of money, can be involved in a Champion

Fortuna horses racing this coming week are RONALDO’S DREAM at Ruakaka and METEORIC LASS at Awapuni Saturday 14th, SPORTSCASTER in Singapore and EATONS GOLD in Penang Sunday 15th.

RONALDO’S DREAM was solid on his race day debut at Matamata recently but struggled a bit in the Heavy Track – he gets his chance here in a small field and on a Dead 5 surface at Ruakaka – meets a hot field in this Maiden 3yo event over 1400m – Race 1 – he has ability and can certainly feature in the finish – Opie Bosson to ride – blinkers go on. METEORIC LASS ran a bold race for 2nd at Ruakaka on the 31^stAugust – her first run for 9 months – she will be much improved from that, her work has been good and gets a 4kg apprentice allowance in this R72 1300m event at Awapuni – Race 5 – she presents as a strong each way chance and can perform up to that if she handles the Heavy track. SPORTSCASTER– ever consistent, gets his chance in the Class 5 1700 metre event – Race 4 – in Singapore from a good draw and Singapore leading jockey, Vlad Duric in  the saddle. Should be hard to beat.

Trackwork This Week

Matamata

Tuesday 10^thSept –

Course Proper

Preparing to race at Awapuni on Saturday, Meteoric Lass (T Harris) galloped over 1000 metres, last 400 in 39.6.  Ronaldo’s Dream (O Bosson) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.04. final 600 in 36.5.

Thursday 12th–

Course Proper

Due to line up in the $25,000 Rating 72 1300 metres at Awapuni on Saturday, Meteoric Lass (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, running the last 800 in 55.7.

No 2 Sand

No.2 Sand:

Group 1 Tarzino Trophy winner Melody Belle (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.28.5. She is on track to race next in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate (at Hastings on 21 September).

Racing at Ruakaka on Saturday, Ronaldo’s Dream (S Weatherley) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.6 and finished off in 1.13.7.

Starting next at Hastings on 21 September, Burgundy Belle (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.16.

Rhapsody In Blue (S Weatherley) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.13.8, home in 43.

Grand Ariana (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.27.8, final 600 in 43.

Fortuna will also have three starters at Taupo Friday 20^th, LEADERBOARD, GRAND ARIANA and RHAPSODY IN BLUE.

Acceptances are not yet finalised of course, but here are some preliminary thoughts on their prospects. LEADERBOARD, a Maiden winner in Ireland (2400m)  in October 2018 is an out and out staying type. He has impressed in his two trials in NZ and will give a good showing in this race in a fresh state. The 1300m may be a tad short for him on the tight, turning track, but this horse has some real quality about him.

GRAND ARIANAhas given cause for some had scratching throughout her career, as she gets so far back in the running, but goes to 1800m for the first time here – will strike a reasonable surface and can figure.

We have a lot of time for RHAPSODY IN BLUE– she disappointed slightly at Matamata at her 2^ndrace day start, finishing 4^thafter being sent out an odds on favourite – this off the back of a very strong winning trial. Heavy 10 track that day may have been the issue – certainly she has trained on well since and will get a better surface at Taupo

MELODY BELLE was the star of the show at the Annual New Zealand Thoroughbred Awards Evening held at the Ellerslie Event Centre Sunday 8th September. Attended by 500 people at a sold out venue, the Fortuna Syndicated, David Ellis selected and Jamie Richards trained Five Year Old Mare, won two awards, the Champion Sprinter/Miler of the Year and Horse of the Year and was narrowly defeated by DanzDanzDance (32 votes to 30) in the Champion Middle Distance category. Fortuna Principals John and Jessica Galvin were on hand along with 50 supporters of Melody Belle including many of the 37 Syndicate Members plus family and friends.

John Galvin in accepting the Horse Of The Year Award, described the experience as “exciting, thrilling and humbling” and paid tribute to all of the Syndicate Members who had taken shares in Melody Belle as well as David Ellis for selecting the horse on behalf of Fortuna from the Premier draft of the 2016 Karaka Sale and Jamie Richards for training the horse so successfully. John also pointed out that it was the second time in 2019 that a Te Akau trained horse had won a Horse Of the Year Award, the other being the Mark Walker trained Elite Invincible, who was awarded the Singapore equivalent Award in January for his achievements during the 2018 Singapore Season.

Click HERE to read full story from NZ Breeding and Racing News of the Awards evening

Melody Belle winning her 5th Group One of the 2018/19 Season – the New Zealand Bone Crusher Stakes at Ellerslie 9th March 2019

MELODY BELLE soars to a career best rating of 114 after her 7th Group One Victory in the Tarzino Trophy – to put that in perspective, the next highest rated horse in NZ is Bostonian at 108 – 6 points or 3kgs below Melody Belle

Talking of Melody Belle, click HERE to see her footage of her being sold at Karaka Premier Sale 2016

Tarzino Trophy Day – Hastings 31 August

Richards climbs world trainer rankings

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards has become the highest ranked (21st) New Zealand trainer in the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary Global Rankings, following the Tarzino Trophy win by Melody Belle. Akin to the ATP tennis tour rankings, or PGA Golf Tour rankings, the TRC Trainer Rankings are the measure of achievement over a rolling three-year period, based not on prize money but the quality of performances by their horses in Group and Graded races. Racing Post Ratings (RPRs) are used to help calculate the merit of every performance. Broadcaster and jockey agent Aiden Rodley said: “It could be the highest any New Zealander has got in the trainer rankings, or at least anyone training out of New Zealand has got.

Fortuna Matamata Trackwork – Week ending Friday 6^th September

Tuesday 3^rd September – Leaderboard (M McNab) also worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14, home in 45.3

Thursday 5^th September – Preparing to make his NZ raceday debut soon, Leaderboard (M McNab)  galloped over an easy 1000 metres, last 600 in 41.5. Ronaldo’s Dream (D Montes de Oca)) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, last 600 in 45.

Fortuna Runners Coming Up

Runners this weekend for Fortuna are HIDDEN PROMISE (race 1) and SPOKESMAN (Race 4) in Singapore on Sunday 8th. HIDDEN PROMISE is in great form, was very unlucky last start after getting held up for a couple of strides in the run home, has to overcome an outside draw, but if he jumps well and races on the speed, he will be strong winning chance. SPOKESMAN, in great form winning his last race by 6 lengths, also has to overcome an outside draw, but as with Hidden Promise, he will be ridden positively out of the gates and is a strong each way chance if he can make the lead.

Upcoming Fortuna trialists

Avondale Tuesday 10th sees RED JAKKAL trial for the second time this preparation.

NZ Thoroughbred Racing Horse of The Year Awards 

Ellerslie Function Centre Sunday 8th September

Melody Belle has been nominated in two categories, Champion Sprinter/Miler  and Champion Middle Distance  and is an odds on favourite to collect the supreme Horse Of The Year title – can she do it?

A group of 50 people comprising Syndicate Members plus family and friends will be dressed up in their finery at this glittering affair, hoping that she can

The “Belles” were ringing at Hastings race course on Saturday 31 August when one race after Fortuna Mare, MELODY BELLE had won the Group One Tarzino Trophy in dramatic fashion in the hands of Michael McNab, her Fortuna Stablemate BURGUNDY BELLE (Burgundy – Spin N Grin) won the Rating 72 1300 metre event, also in very stylish fashion.

Drawn perfectly in barrier 4, the 4yo Mare jumped well and rider Michael McNab soon had her in a good spot, one off the rail just off the leaders. Traveling sweetly in the run, McNab angled to the middle of the track as they turned for home – in the meantime race leader Tavis Court had gone for broke, putting 3 lengths on the rest of the field with 3oo metres to go and was looking like a certain winner. Burgundy Belle was gathering a full head of steam however and, gradually reeling the leader in, hit the lead in the shadow of the post, winning by a neck on the line

Click HERE to see Race result and Video Replay

Burgundy Belle brilliant at Hastings 31st August 2019

Fortuna Syndicate Manager, John Galvin, was a very happy man post race – “I had left the Winners Circle room with the Tarzino Trophy in my hands after celebrating MELODY BELLE’s win and was only able to watch the race from the birdcage – it’s a bit hard to jump up and down with excitement when you are holding a heavy trophy, but BURGUNDY BELLE was superb today and with four wins from eight starts, she is certainly going places – well done to Jamie Richards and his Te Akau team as this Mare has not been without issues at times, but a patient approach is now paying dividends.”

Burgundy Belle was acquired by John Galvin as a yearling in a private sale for  from her Breeders David Ellis and Karyn Fenton Ellis and is one of number of successful acquisitions made by John from David and Karyn. “It’s been quite amazing really,” says John, “over the years Fortuna has successfully raced Darci’s Dream, Windborne, Jacks Secret (Singapore), Major Tom (Singapore), Colorado Prince and now, Burgundy Belle – all horses bred by David and Karyn and acquired by Fortuna.”

Now the winner of four races from eight race day starts and never finishing out of the prize money in any of them, Burgundy Belle has won over $60,ooo in prizemoney and is raced by the Fortuna Burgundy Belle Syndicate, an ownership Group of 53 Individuals, several of whom were on track at Hastings

Burgundy Belle was strapped by Kate Belsham

Champion Mare, MELODY BELLE, in what will undoubtedly go down as her greatest Group One victory to date, put a high class field to the sword  when winning the Group One Tarzino Trophy (1400 metres – $200,000) at Hastings, scoring back to back wins in the event after winning in 2018 as well.

Nervous punters, concerned about her wide barrier draw, sent the mare out at very generous starting odds of $5.70. Drawn barrier 15 of 16, the draw was of concern to her connections, but having faith in MELODY BELLE’s gate speed led Trainer, Te Akau’s Jamie Richards, Syndicate Manager John Galvin and rider Michael McNab to a pre race tactical plan to jump well and endeavour to take up a position in or near the lead. Uncharacteristically however, MELODY BELLE was tardy away and with huge early speed in the race, McNab had to resort to Plan B and finished up near the tail of the field. No panic on the rider’s part however, the speed up front was hot and the field strung out. On turning for home, MELODY BELLE had only two runners behind her, but seeing clear air as they straightened and with a couple of reminders behind the saddle, the bonny Mare got down to business, maintaining a swooping, compelling and powerful run, gathered in the field and went to the line with almost a length to spare in the very slick time of 1.22.12, the fastest time for this event in the past 10 years

Click HERE to see Video replay

Melody Belle- Simply Amazing – Tarzino Trophy 31st August 2019

Fortuna Director and Syndicate Manager, John Galvin, was ecstatic after the race. “I don’t usually get very emotional on race days,” he said, “but today’s victory was simply outstanding, she had to do it all from the draw and with not getting away well – she is a Super Star. Full credit to a no panic ride by our pinch hitting jockey, Michael McNab and to trainer Jamie Richards for having her spot on for this event.”

MELODY BELLE is a Five Year old race mare by Commands out of Meleka Belle and a descendent of the famous Belle family founded in the 1930’s by Jim and Annie Sarten and continued on by their daughter, Marie Leicester, MELODY BELLE’s breeder.

MELODY BELLE was purchased by Te Akau Supremo DAVID ELLIS, on behalf of Fortuna Syndications at the NZ Bloodstock Premier Sale of 2016 for $57,500. Now the winner of twelve races, including seven Group Ones, two Group Twos, a Group Three and the Listed Karaka Million, MELODY BELLE has won prize money of $1,750,000 for her ownership Group, the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, a group of 34 individuals.

MELODY BELLE was strapped by Mette Mosebo

The patience of Trainer Mark Walker and Members of the Fortuna Sportsman Syndicate were rewarded in spades today at Kranji race course in Singapore when the Five Year Old Gelding, SPOKESMAN (Alamosa-Panthera) broke through for his first Singapore win. Fortuna Director John Galvin picks up the story, “Since acquiring Spokesman in January of this year, he has had 10 starts for us prior to today and had won prizemoney in 9 of them, so while he is no champion, he is honest as the day is long and now gets a well deserved win. Trainer Mark Walker decided that we needed to be positive from the wide draw and try and lead, and rider Zawari executed the tactics perfectly – so big kudos to Trainer and Jockey”

“Spokesman” – First Win In Singapore 25th August 2019

Drawn Barrier 11 in an 11 horse field over the 1600 metre trip in Class 5 Grade on the Turf track, Zawari fired SPOKESMAN out of the gates, soon had him in the lead, maintaining a solid tempo in the run. Still sitting quietly as they turned, Zawari gave the horse some rein, quickly putting a gap on the field and finished up winning the race by a commanding six lengths.

Click HERE to see the race replay

SPOKESMAN is one of two horses in the Fortuna Sportsman Syndicate (the other is SPORTSCASTER), an ownership group consisting of 27 individuals.

SPOKESMAN’S win gave Te Akau Singapore Trainer Mark Walker his 56th win for the season and now leads the 2019 Trainers Premiership by a 14 win margin

The Three Year Old Gelding BRUTUS (by Rubick out of Harvest Queen) has exited quarantine in Singapore and is now in work under the watchful eye of Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker. Purchased by Fortuna’s John Galvin at the Inglis Online Auction in April, BRUTUS (who raced as “Field of Boaz”) in Australia has one race in NSW before being put on the market by his Owners, the China Horse Club.

Identified by Mark Walker as an ideal type for Singapore racing, he was gelded straight away once we acquired him and then spelled in NSW for a few weeks before going into quarantine in Victoria ahead of his flight to Sydney

 BRUTUS – Singapore 12th August 2019

Fortuna’s John Galvin had this to say about BRUTUS “Once we gelded this horse he put on 23 kgs in weight and is now an imposing type, standing at 16.0 hands and weighing 510kgs. Now that he has commenced work in Singapore, I estimate it will take about 10 weeks for him to acclimatise, get race fit and be ready for the first of his two mandatory trials. Once ready to race he is eligible for Restricted Maiden Grade, a Grade which carries S$75,000 of prize money. He is also eligible for the very lucrative Singapore Three Year Old Series – a three Race Series run in April/May of 2020 for total prize money of S$1.35m”

Click HERE to see Video footage of BRUTUS trotting up in Singapore 12th August wth voice over from Trainer Mark Walker

Still shares left in Brutus at NZ$2770 per each 2.5% share and $90 per month from 1 September for ongoing expenses. Click HERE to read more and order a share on line.

A hunch and a punt taken by Te Akau Racing’s Singapore Trainer Mark Walker and Fortuna Syndication’s John Galvin in September 2018 paid off in brilliant fashion in Singapore 2nd August when the Five Year Old gelding RED ROVER (O’Reilly- PinUp) strolled to victory in the Class 4 1000 metre sprint at Kranji racecourse.

John Galvin picks up the story ” Mark and I are always on the lookout for promising types who have good form in Sydney/NSW – we became aware that RED ROVER who had won well at Rosehill in April 2018 was being offered at an online auction by his owners, Waikato Stud. We had him vetted and he scoped a Grade 3 which generally we would walk away from – but clearly he was a super fast race horse and so we decided to take a punt on securing a bargain, we set a budget and bid for him and we managed to secure him for around NZ$15,000. We then applied to the Singapore Turf Club to have the horse admitted to Singapore for racing and they approved his entry. I then went about syndicating the horse, giving potential clients full disclosure about his condition and the fact that he may require wind surgery at some point.

“On arrival in Singapore he went into work and got up to trials fitness level at which time he started to make wind noise and so our very good vet in Singapore performed tie back surgery at that point. The surgery went well and after a short recovery he was back in work and ready to trial – he won his final trial in good fashion and made his race day debut at the end of June, running a 3rd placing off a wide draw over the 1000 metre trip. He backed up on 12th July over the 1000m, again drawing out and ran a bold 2nd, beaten half a length. His race day form was very good and he repaid us in spades with his victory tonight – this time he drew a good barrier and it always seemed during the running that he was going to come up trumps. A huge thank you and congratulations to all of those people who also took a punt on Red Rover, taking a share in the horse, despite the risks that his poor scope presented. And a big thank you to the STC Head Vet for approving Red Rover’s entry to Singapore, Trainer Mark Walker and his team for a great training effort, Dr Dan Shaw our Vet and Azhar, our jockey, who has ridden Red Rover on all three occasions”

Drawing Barrier 5 and leaving the barriers well, rider I AZHAR soon had RED ROVER in the lead and on the rail. Traveling at a good tempo, RED ROVER seemed to be going well as they turned for home and went to the line under a hands and heels ride winning by a length at the line, handsomely rewarding punters who had sent him out an odds on favourite.

Click HERE to see the race replay

RED ROVER, whose stable name is “Bullet”, now boasts a Singapore race day record of three starts for 1 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd for S$45,000 of prize money to date and is owned by the Fortuna Red Rover Syndicate, an ownership group of 60 individuals, a group that is truly International with Members from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines, with 27 of those individuals being brand new clients for the Fortuna Syndications Team

It has been another outstanding season for the Fortuna Syndications New Zealand Team. While undoubtedly Melody Belle has been the star of the show, the results from the total team have been exceptional, with the record for the season standing at 50 race day starts for 13 wins, a Strike Rate of 3.85. Note that this no flash in the pan, with the record over the past three seasons to 31 July 2019 being 91 starts for 26 wins, a three year Strike Rate of 3.50

“Naturally, this is a very pleasing result for the Fortuna Team,”said Fortuna Director John Galvin, “we are a boutique operation, we don’t aim to be the biggest, but we aim to deliver strong results for our large group of loyal clients.”When asked the reasons why Fortuna has been able to maintain such a consistent Strike rate, John Galvin replied. “I think there are four key factors, firstly a very strong selection policy, based around selecting well pedigreed horses with correct physical type – we are aided in this by David Ellis along with Jamie Richards and Mark Walker, secondly we are very patient – we like to ensure that every horse is thoroughly well prepared before it goes to the races, thirdly we ensure that our horses are placed correctly and lastly, we do not persevere for too long with horses who show less than average race day form.”

Fortuna currently has 15 horses in training in NZ, 14 of those with Jamie Richards as Trainer and 1 (Steeplechaser Highly Likely) with Kevin Myers

Fortuna Stable Star, Six Time Group One Winner, Melody Belle