All sorts of interesting news this week for the Fortuna horses.

3yo Gelding HIGHLY LIKELY (High Chapparal-Starrinka) will make his race day debut this coming week. An impressive trial winner recently at Waipa, coming from last to first to win his trial, this strapping Gelding has all the hallmarks of a winter galloper. As we write this, two venues are options for his debut, Hawera on Monday or Pukekohe on Wednesday. Fellow 3yo REDOUTES FORTUNE (Redoutes Choice-Lady’s Delight), also trialed well at Waipa recently for a 2nd placing and is being readied for his race day debut.

Promising 2yo OUR DRAHMA QUEEN (Darci Brahma-Queen Cha Cha) returned to Matamata Stables during the week after enjoying a nice break after trailing nicely in the early Autumn. Out of a High Chapparal mare, this lovely filly is shaping as a very nice 3yo type.

Other 2yo’s still in the paddock at Te Akau but soon to return to work for their spring preparations are DARCI’S DREAM (Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby), who has already won as a 2yo, and the strong trials performers DURAN (Darci Brahma- Breezed) and PRINCE HENRY (Henrythenavigator – Ocean of Tears); all three of these horses have strong 3yo aspirations.

SIR DARCI (Darci Brahma-Dominant) a three time winner as a 3yo, is also coming to the end of his spell and his connections are looking for him to extend his very good record  into his 4yo year. Fellow 3yo, the filly SELINE (Pentire-Dion), still a Maiden, but never out of the money from five race day starts, is also spelling; a slow maturing type, she will benefit from a nice winter spell before resuming as a 4yo in the Spring.

In Singapore news, a big Friday night racing coming up for Fortuna horses, with READY FORTUNE (More Then Ready-Bahira), Double Jeopardy (Mettre en Jeu-Flyin Finnish) and VON SNITZEL (Snitzel-Lumir) all due to compete. Stable mates EATONS GOLD (JetSpur-Road Ranger) and OUR RIVER DANCER (Danehill Dancer-Distinctly) are both recovering from knee surgery.  2yo Filly, SECRET SPICE (Sahkees SecretCaparison) – who put in a strong run for fourth recently at just her 2nd race day start, has come to the end of a mini break and will resume work shortly. A recent Singapore arrival is the well performed 3yo, KING SAVINSKY (Savabeel-Lynisky), who exited quarantine there this week and is now in the capable hands of Mark Walker’s team. Singapore bound 2yo ROYAL ASCOT (Keeper-HighRank) is coming to the end of a paddock spell and will head to Singapore once he has trialed again here in New Zealand.

Finally, all six of the Karaka 2014 acquisitions are coming along nicely in their various stages of development. First out of the blocks was the Darci Brahma-Twelve Carat Gelding, nicknamed BUTCH; a really strong type, he has already completed his initial stable preparation and is enjoying a spell at Te Akau Stud. Two of the four fillies we acquired, the Iffraaj-Naturo, nicknamed LORDE and the Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby, nicknamed ANNIE, are now in the final stages of their first stable preparation at Matamata. The other two fillies, the Savabeel-Lynisky, nicknamed BELLA and the beautifully bred Bachelor Duke-Keepa Cruisin, nicknamed EBONY, are coming to the end of  of their breaking in phase at Te Akau Stud and will soon travel to Matamata to heve their first stable preparation. Last but by no means least is the big, strong yearling Colt by Sakhees-Secret-Spin N Grin, nicknamed JACK. Singapore bound, he has 3yo type written all over him and he will commence his breaking in phase soon.

Shares are still available in BELLA, EBONY and JACK. Click HERE to see more details of these three Opportunities.

Acquired by Fortuna at the Karaka Yearling Select Sale, this lovely big strong yearling Filly, nicknamed BELLA, has been described by Fortuna’s Thoroughbred Selector, David Ellis as follows, ” if you wanted to buy a horse capable of contesting big staying races like the Caulfield or Melbourne Cup, this is the type of horse you would buy.”  David is of course referring to the physical attributes that this Filly possesses.

Her Sire, SAVABEEL, is on fire as a Stallion, currently sitting third on the NZ General Sires list, but most importantly with seven individual Stakes Winners this year, notably COSTUME winning the Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa and LUCIA VALENTINO taking out the Group One Vinery Stakes in Sydney, with that filly then running a gallant 3rd in the Australian Oaks. BELLA’s dam, LYNISKY, has been a prolific broodmare with all four of her progeny that have reached being winners on the track.

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, sums up his purchase of BELLA like this, “it is probably the dream of everybody to own a horse that is capable of being a contender in the three year old Classic events like the Guineas, the Derby and the Oaks and ultimately the bigs Cup races like the Wellington/Auckland Cups and even the Caulfield/Melbourne Cups. Accordingly, we are always on the lookout for Yearlings with the pedigree and the physical attributes necessary to be such a contender. When we first conducted our pre sales inspections, this Savabeel-Lynisky Filly really caught our eye and we are rapt to have acquired her.”

Since the Sales BELLA has been enjoying a lovely long spell in the big, spacious paddock at Te Akau Stud, but recently has begun her breaking in process under the care of master horseman, James Jackson. James has this to say about her, “This filly is a really strong girl, she moves with a lot of power and has a good head on her; a smart filly who picks everything up very easily.”

The racing plan for this filly is to aim her initially at her three year old year with races like the NZ 1000 Guineas, the Eight Carat Classic, the NZ Derby and the NZ Oaks on her radar and even the Australian Oaks run at Randwick in April. Obviously, the level of success she has in these events will determine her future racing plans.

Shares are still available in this outstanding Filly @ $7,400 per 5% share and $150 per month for ongoing expenses. We will also do 2% shares at $2,960 and $60 per month ongoing and 1% shares @ $1,480 and $30 per month ongoing. Click HERE to see more details.

Contact John Galvin directly on 021 921 460 or email John HERE.

Fortuna Syndicates 3yo SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) put in a strong  performance at Te Rapa Saturday 15th March  earning  his third win from eight starts, as he fought the length of the straight to get his nose in front in the $17,500 Red Cabs (Hamilton) Ltd Rating 85 Benchmark event over 1600m with in form Sam Spratt aboard. Watch Race Replay HERE

A fortnight from a top effort for second in the Lindsay Mile at Ellerslie on Derby Day, SIR DARCI started favourite as adverse conditions worsened.

Bred by The Oaks Stud, home of Darci Brahma, SIR DARCI  was a $140,000 purchase, selected  by David Ellis from the 2012 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale for  Fortuna Syndications.

SIR DARCI  overcame the inclement weather of Cyclone Lusi which saw the track was down-graded to a dead 4, impressing his trainer, Jason Bridgman. “It was a good tenacious win against older horses in a Rating 85. The track conditions were marginal for him today but he settled nicely and he quickened so fast on the corner that he probably got to the front a little too soon. It was very brave for him to keep finding like he did,” he said.

Fortuna Director John Galvin agreed, saying: “It’s never easy for a three year old to beat older horses, particularly when you are out of your grade. Jason has been very patient with him, letting him strengthen, and his natural ability carried him through today. His last two starts have been top efforts, so we were happy to see him get another win.”

Jockey Sam Spratt had plenty of praise for her mount, saying “he is a lovely horse , he travelled up nicely and  got to the front so easily, I was afraid I had gone too soon but he kept finding as they came to him. It was a big effort.”

Next on the program for SIR DARCI  is the Group 3 Manawatu Classic for 3 year olds over 2000m at Awapuni on March 29. This has been his target race ever since he was taken out of the Derby. John Galvin explains, ” The Derby simply came up too quick for him but he is looking for more ground, so the 2000 metre trip of the Manawatu Classic should suit him nicely.”

SIR DARCI is raced by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, an ownership group of over thirty individuals.

KING SAVINSKY contests the 2400 metre New Zealand Derby Saturday 1st March, a great thrill for the 30 Members who make up the Fortuna King Savinsky Syndicate. A true staying type, he will be in the event at the finish but does have a very wide draw for his jockey, the highly experienced, Hayden Tinsley, to overcome. A graduate of the 2012 Karaka Select Sales KING SAVINSKY is by Savabeel out of the Stravinsky mare, Lynisky.

Earlier in the day, the talented 3yo gelding, SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) will look to make it two wins in a row when he takes on a small but classy field in the Lindsay Mile, a Listed event over 1600 metres. Raced by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, SIR DARCI will be ridden by Matt Cameron.

Meanwhile, at Hastings, the promising 2yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM ( Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby) also a last start winner, steps up to 1200 metres on an Open 2yo event. She will be ridden by leading apprentice, Michael  Dee.

Promising Two year Old filly, DARCI’S DREAM turned her owner’s dreams into reality when producing a strong tough win in a 1000 metre event at Te Aroha on Friday 14th . Drawn at barrier three in a field of seven, DARCI’S DREAM was ridden on the speed by leading jockey, Matt Cameron. Turning for home, Cameron sat tight but then released the breaks as challenges were mounted by other runners. In a finish described by Fortuna Director, John Galvin, as a “real dogfight”, DARCI’S DREAM prevailed in a four way finish. ” Full credit to Matt Cameron for his vigour in the finish,” said Galvin, ” that made all of the difference.” Click HERE to watch Race Replay

Owned by the Fortuna Darci’s Dream Syndicate, (an ownership group of  30 individuals) and acquired by Fortuna Syndications at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale for $45,000, DARCI’S DREAM ( Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby), nicknamed “Baby” by her owners, has always show early promise, winning a trial in August 2013 before making a race day debut at Ellerslie at the end of October. She was given a break after her solid but unplaced performance that day and commenced a new preparation pre Christmas before  winning another trial on 4th February ahead of tackling the Te Aroha event.  “From here, we will keep pressing on to the better quality races,” said John Galvin, “she deserves an opportunity to be tested against the best 2yo’s and subject to her coming through Friday’s race in good shape, she will get her opportunities.”

DARCI’S DREAM is trained by NZ’s leading Trainer, Jason Bridgman of Te Akau Racing.

Fortuna acquired the full sister to DARCI’S DREAM at the Karaka 2014 Select Sale; shares still available in her @ $8,000 per 5% share.

The Good 3 surface at Ellerslie’s twilight meeting last evening was a far cry from the rain soaked surface of the Karaka  3yo Mile event on 26th January, SIR DARCI’s last race. The torrential rain that evening effectively extinguished the strapping 3yo’s chances on that occasion, however he made amends in emphatic style when taking out the Rating 65 event over the 1600 metre trip yesterday.

With just a seven horse field, there was always a strong chance that the race would be a tactically run affair, so SIR DARCI’s connection took no chances with tactics and planned to race the horse handy. Jockey Matt Cameron executed the race plan perfectly, slotting in on the rail just behind the leaders. The pace was muddling and so was always going to develop into a sprint home. As they turned, Cameron eased SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) off the rail, came around two horses and set sail for home. His turn of foot proved devastating and he went to the line a length and a half clear of the opposition. Click HERE to see race result and Video Replay

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, expressed relief after the race. ” We have always had a high opinion of the horse,” he said.” but race conditions have been against us the last two starts, so he needed to answer some questions for us today and he has done so in no uncertain terms. We can now aim at some of the higher grade 3yo races to be run over the coming months.” 

Bred by The Oaks Stud, SIR DARCI was selected for Fortuna by Te Akau Supremo, David Ellis at the Karaka 2012 Premier Sale and is trained by Jason Bridgman. He is owned by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, an ownership group comprising 30 individuals.

SAVABEEL-LYNISKY Yearling Filly

A full sister to FORTUNA 3yo KING SAVINSKY, a well performed galloper who contests the Group Two DARCI BRAHMA WAIKATO GUINEAS at Te Rapa on Saturday 2nd, this Filly is an imposing type with plenty of size and scope to her. KING SAVINSKY has always presented as a strong, staying type and this Filly has very similar physical characteristics. David Ellis, who identified her for FORTUNA, describes her as follows, ” if you ever wanted to have a Mare capable of contesting the big Australian Cups races, this is the one; she has all of the physicality needed for such events- as a 3yo, she will undoubtedly be a contender for the Oaks events in both NZ and Australia.”

A 10% share can be acquired in this Filly of $14,800, a 5% share for $7,400 and a 2.5% share for $3,700. These initial costs include the cost of the horse, GST, Sales and Promoters Fees, Karaka Million Fee, Pearl Series Fee, Insurance Premium through to 31st January 2015 and over $12k of working capital. Ongoing costs which commence 1st April 2014 are $300 per 10% share, $150 per month per 5% share and $75 per month per 2.5% share.

Applications can only be made after Investors have perused and signed the NZ Thoroughbred Racing approved Disclosure Statement. This can be obtained from Fortuna Director, John Galvin by emailing john@fortuna-nz.com or calling John on (+64) 21 921 460.

Fortuna Ltd is an Authorised Syndicator in accordance with the Code of Practice established under The ( New  Zealand) Securities Act (Bloodstock) Exemption Notice 2002

No 1

BACHELOR DUKE-KEEPA CRUISIN FILLY

Lot 75 by boom Stallion BACHELOR DUKE out of KEEPA CRUISIN (By Keeper). KEEPA CRUISIN is a half sister to the might SEACHANGE but was a Group One winner in her own right, taking out the Levin Classic as a 3yo and also winning the Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes as well as running 2nd in the Group One NZ 1000 Guineas. An August foal, she ticks all of the boxes physically and with this pedigree, she will have excellent residual value as a future broodmare proposition, particularly if she can perform well on the race track. David Ellis has her marked in his notes as “strong, physically imposing filly, Oaks type.”

$16,000 for  a 10%  share, $8,000 for a 5% share and $4,000 for a 2.5% share. This includes all initial costs and fees and insurance through to 31st Jan 2015 and over $12k of working capital in the Syndicate account. Ongoing expenses commence 1st April 2014 @ $300 per month per 10% share, $150 per month per 5% share and $75 per month per 2.5% share.

N0 2

LOT 152. This is an absolute steal. Earmarked by Mark Walker as a “straight to Singapore” option, she was knocked down to Mark for less than half what he was prepared to pay. By IFFRAJ out of NATURO ( By Postponed), we are still shaking our heads as NATURO won the Group 2 Matamata Breeders Stakes and the Group Two Hawkes Bay Highview Stakes and was the 2nd top Filly on the 2yo Free Handicap that year. Physically, she ticks all of the boxes, Mark has her in his notes as a “real runner”.

$8,000 for a 10% share, $4,000 for a 5% share and $2,000 for a 2.5% share. This includes all initial costs and fees and insurance through to 31st Jan 2015 plus all of the costs of getting the horse to Singapore once she has ben broken in and prepared here in NZ. It also includes over $12k of working capital in the Syndicate account. Ongoing expenses commence 1st April 2014 @ $300 per month per 10% share, $150 per month per 5% share and $75 per month per 2.5% share.

No 3 –

SAKHEES SECRET-SPIN N GRIN Colt

Lot 266 Yearling Colt by SAKHEES SECRET out of SPIN N GRIN. Another horse identified by Mark as a “straight to Singapore” option, this Colt, like the two Fillies above, is out of a top quality mare in SPIN N GRIN, who won the Group Two Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie and also ran 2nd in theGroup One Te Aroha Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. SAKHEES SECREThimself was a very, very fast racehorse, rated as the fastest horse in the world in 2007, taking out the prestigious July Cup at Newmarket as a 3yo competing against the older horses. At Karaka 2013, we acquired a SAHKEES SECRETfilly, now a talented 2yo called SECRET SPICE, who is about to go to Singapore and she has been dream to handle and train. Again, this horse was knocked down to us well below our budget and we are very pleased to own him. Mark has him in his notes as “a strong 3yo type.”

$7,600 for a 10% share, $3,800 for a 5% share and $1,900 for a 2.5% share. This includes all initial costs and fees and insurance through to 31st Jan 2015 plus all of the costs of getting the horse to Singapore once he has been broken in and prepared here in NZ. It also includes over $10k of working capital in the Syndicate account. $300 per month ongoing for a 10% share commencing 1st April 2014, $150 for 5% and $75 for 2.5%. This Colt represents huge value given that his all up syndication cost is just $76,000 and yet when he first starts in Singapore, he will contest a race with minimum prizemoney of $75,000.

Disclosure Statements are available for all these three syndicates; if you have interest in participating in one or more, please do not hesitate to contact Joh Galvin by email john@fortuna-nz.com or call me directly 021 921 460.

Applications can only be made after Investors have perused and signed the NZ Thoroughbred Racing approved Disclosure Statement. This can be obtained from Fortuna Director, John Galvin by emailing john@fortuna-nz.com or calling John on (+64) 21 921 460.

Fortuna Ltd is an Authorised Syndicator in accordance with the Code of Practice established under The ( New  Zealand) Securities Act (Bloodstock) Exemption Notice 2002

FORTUNA’s promising 3yo SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) steps out in the $100,000 Karaka 3yo Mile at Ellerslie Sunday 27th January. On an evening dominated by the $1m Karaka Million event for 2yo’s, the Karaka 3yo Mile is, nevertheless, a very worthy undercard event.

SIR DARCI, who won a Maiden race at Gisborne in September, was then spelled and on resuming, ran a close up 4th at Taupo and then a bold third at Ellerslie over 1400 metres on 11th January, setting him up nicely for the 1600 metre event at Ellerslie today. Fortuna Director, John Galvin, reflects on SIR DARCI’s prospects. ” The two well performed fillies in the event, Spellbinder and Hera are clearly strong prospects given their form and ratings and the set weight conditions of the race, however SIR DARCI has taken strong natural improvement from his two resuming runs. From his nine barrier draw, he will be ridden mid field and rider Kelly Myers will endeavour to use his turn of foot to finish the event off strongly. 

Bred by The Oaks Stud, SIR DARCI is trained by NZ’s leading trainer, Jason Bridgman, is a graduate of the 2012 Karaka Premier Sales where he was selected for Fortuna by David Ellis  and is owned by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, an ownership Group consisting of thirty one people.

KING SAVINSKY wins stylishly at Rotorua
by Jeff Dore

King Savinsky in work

Backed as if unbeatable, and rightly so given his form, King Savinsky(3 g Savabeel – Lynisky, by Stravinsky) delivered the desired result in the Mills Reef Winery & Restaurant Maiden 1950 metres on Jan. 6 at Rotorua, and in doing so gave the trainer and jockey combination, Jason Bridgman and Matt Cameron, their third success for the day.

Each on top of their game, leading their respective premierships, with Bridgman having already gained 45 wins this season, and Cameron 73 in the saddle, the duo made the seven-race programme their own with additional dominant wins by the promising debutante Equanimity (More Than Ready) and the strapping newbie Rapid Gain (Flying Spur).

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $90,000 at the 2012 NZB Select Yearling Sales, from the draft of Phoenix Park, and owned the Fortuna King Savinsky Syndicate (managed by John Galvin), King Savinksy rated as one of the best Maidens in the country given his form in stakes races and the stakes victories around him.

At his previous start he ran home solidly for fourth on Dec. 15 in the Championship Prelude (Listed, 2100m) at Ellerslie, with the second placed horse Show The World (High Chaparral) going on to win the Championship Stakes (Gr. 2, 2100m). Prior to, he finished sixth to subsequent Royal Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m) winner Rising Romance (Ekraar) in the Trevor Eagle Memorial (Listed, 1500m) at Ellerslie. And with form behind subsequent 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) winner Atlante (Fastnet Rock) in the Canterbury Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Riccarton, and Great Northern Guineas (Gr. 2, 1600m) winner Puccini (Encosta De Lago) when second to him at Taupo, he was clearly the one to beat.

Starting at the top of the straight, King Savinsky was sent forward to take up a handy position in fourth. Nicely poised at the 600 metres and unimpeded when staking his claim around the home turn he stayed on in good fashion to win by three-quarters of a length.

“I think we should give the credit to Jason (Bridgman) for his ability to analyse the horse’s racing pattern and he made the decision to bring him back to a weaker grade and take the blinkers off,” said Fortuna boss John Galvin. “The form around him had been very good and the horses finishing in front had all been performing, and at times he had not quite been doing everything right – changing legs in the run for example. But today he was very relaxed and I was interested to note that he never gawked around in the straight, whereas in the past, even with blinkers on, he was keen to look around.

“So, I think Jason might have worked the oracle by ironing out that little wrinkle,” said Galvin. “It’s a fantastic syndicate of owners and I think there was eighteen including myself there today; they travelled from all over the country to come and watch him race.

“One of my questions to Matt (Cameron) after the race was: ‘is he still a Derby contender’? And he said ‘yes, for sure’. So I guess races like the Waikato Guineas (Gr. 2, 2000m) [Feb. 1 at Te Rapa] or Avondale Guineas (Gr. 2, 2100m) [Feb. 15 at Ellerslie] are still on his agenda,” said Galvin.

“Obviously, bringing him back from good company to Maiden company and he wins by a length, but he did win strongly, on a track that doesn’t really suit him, it’s a bit hard to gauge the quality, hence my question to Matt. We have pitched him into the deep end several times before, so I don’t see any reason why we should stop doing so when we’re only seven weeks away from the Derby [$750,000 NZ Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) March 1 at Ellerslie]. So, we need to keep pressing on in good company and let him tell us whether he’s up to the grade or not. He is a dead-set staying type and I think a Dead4 or 5 would suit him better for sure but there have been more wet Derbies than dry Derbies in recent years,” said Galvin.