LORD ROBERTO wins for 3rd time in Singapore
Story courtesy of Craig Brennan and Singapore Turf Club.
A step up in distance and a return to the Polytrack paved the way to victory for Lord Roberto in the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1700m on the Polytrack on Friday night.
Ridden by Lisa Allpress, Lord Roberto scored by two-and-a-quarter lengths over Casino King (Greg Cheyne) with Daad’s The Way (Corey Brown) three-and-three-quarter lengths back in third place.
Allpress had Lord Roberto tracking the speed set by Casino King (Greg Cheyne) from the outset and was content to allow the leader to control the pace.
In-form jockey Lisa Allpress steers Lord Roberto to a smart win in Race 3 on Friday night.
Turning for home Casino King threw a scare into those chasing as he snuck a two length lead on the chasing pack, but Allpress got to work on Lord Roberto who began to chase gamely, getting on terms with the leader at the 150m mark and proving too strong in the run home.
Daad’s The Way was with the tailenders early but ran on gamely to claim third spot on the line.
Trainer Mark Walker said Lord Roberto was the biggest horse in his stable and went to the post on Friday night weighing 604kg and being a New Zealander, Walker used a rugby analogy in describing Lord Roberto.
“He’s a massive horse,” said Walker. “If he was an ‘All Black’ (the New Zealand national Rugby team) and he stood on you, you’d know all about it.
“He weighs in at over 600kg and is by far the biggest horse we have in the stable.
“He had a few lead-up runs leading into tonight’s race and appreciated getting onto the Polytrack and stepping up in distance.
“This is his favourite trip and he relished it tonight.”
After a double last Sunday, Allpress has now ridden five winners since kicking off her latest Singapore campaign at the start of September.
She described Lord Roberto as “quite a nice horse” and added that he appreciated getting out to Friday night’s journey.
“He’s a big horse but he’s quite a nice horse all-the-same,” said Allpress. “He’s still growing into himself and has just needed a bit of time.
“I’ve been galloping him and he’s been going OK and it’s good to get a win on him tonight.”
After having three starts in New Zealand for one minor placing, Lord Roberto has since had 17 starts in Singapore, registering three wins and four minor placings.
His victories and placings have all come on the Polytrack in nine starts while from his eight turf track starts he has yet to fill a place.
A five-year-old Australian-bred by Encosta De Lago from Prized Glory, Lord Roberto took his prizemoney to around $140,000 for Fortuna NZ Racing Stable with Friday night’s success.
LORD ROBERTO and JETSET MAN start for Fortuna NZ Stable Singapore Friday 27th Sept
LORD ROBERTO, the 5yo son of Encosta De Lago-Prized Glory, already a two time winner in Singapore steps up to 1700 metres for his 3rd run back from a spell Friday night. His first two resuming runs had merit but at 1200 metres and 1400 metres respectively, were too short for him, so he will appreciate the extra distance. He will be ridden by the 2013 Champion NZ Jockey, but now Singapore based, Lisa Allpress in race 3 11.20pm NZ time.
In Race 9 2.20am NZ time, Saturday morning., JETSET MAN ( Golan-Jetset Doll) is second run back from a spell over 1200 metres in a Class 4 event. He will also be ridden by Lisa Allpress, whose skills will be tested as he has drawn wide at the barrier and will need some luck in the running.
SIR DARCI wins at second start Gisborne
Promising 3yo Gelding SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) franked his trial form with a solid 2 length win in a Maiden 1350 metre event at Gisborne today. Ridden beautifully by Matt Cameron, SIR DARCI raced in behind the leaders, pulled out to challenge as they turned and in the end was too powerful for his opposition.
SIR DARCI is trained by Te Akau Racing’s Jason Bridgman and was selected on behalf of Fortuna at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale by David Ellis from the draft of the Oaks Stud. He is raced by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, a grouping of 34 individuals.
Three FORTUNA runners this Sunday 22nd, one in Gisborne, two in Singapore
A busy Sunday of racing for the FORTUNA team with runners in NZ and Singapore.
First away is the promising 3yo Gelding SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant). SIR DARCI made his race day debut at Taupo two weeks ago but was badly hampered by an errant runner as they turned for home and had to be severely restrained. He took no harm from the incident, has trained on nicely since and gets a fresh opportunity to show his ability in a Maiden 1350 metre event ( Race 6 @ 3.05), Mathew Cameron to ride.
Later in the day 5yo VON SNITZEL races in Singapore in a Novice Grade event ( Race 3 @5.45pm NZ time) over 1000 metres; stable apprentice Jimmy Kek takes 4kgs off his back; and then the improving LUCKY GUY, who ran a nice 2nd placing last time out, gets his chance ( Race 7 @ 7.50pm) in an Initiation Grade event over 1100 metres. Shafiq Rusof to ride claiming 2kgs.
Big weekend for FORTUNA SYNDICATES with seven runners, One in NZ and Six in Singapore
A busy weekend lies ahead for FORTUNA Director, John Galvin as he monitors the performances of seven of his charges over the weekend.
Friday night in Singapore, VON SNITZEL, JETSET MAN and MANNY PACUIAO take centre stage.
Saturday, at Ruakaka, the promising 3yo KING SAVINSKY makes his 3yo debut over 1400 metres.
Sunday in Singapore, it is the turn of three time winner EATONS GOLD, two time winner LORD ROBERTO and the yet to win, but promising, OUR RIVER DANCER.
SIR DARCI makes race day debut Taupo Monday 9th. SING LIKE ELLA to resume also,
Promising Fortuna 3yo SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) makes his much awaited race day debut in a Maiden 3yo event at Taupo Race 3 @ 1.49pm) Monday 9th. SIR DARCI was a very impressive trial winner at Te Teko 6th August. Raced by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, SIR DARCI was acquired from the draft of the Oaks Stud at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sales. He has drawn the ace barrier and will be ridden by Kelly Myers; Trainer, Jason Bridgman, is very happy with his charge pre race.
Earlier in the day and dependent on some more scratchings in order to make the field, 4yo Mare, SING LIKE ELLA (Danasinga-Fitzgerelda) will make her first start as a 4yo in a Maiden 1000 metre event. SING LIKE ELLA, a 2011 Ready to Run Sale Graduate, had four starts as a 3yo for one third placing. She has a difficult draw to over come on the tight Taupo track and will be ridden by Te Akau Racing’s new apprentice Michael Dee.
DARCI’S DREAM makes “dream” debut Te Teko Trials
FORTUNA 2yo Filly DARCI’S DREAM ( Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby) showed a great turn of foot when making her trials debut over 600 metres at te Teko Tuesday 27th August. Drawn wide at the barrier, she flew the gates, went straight to the lead, railed the corner like a real professional and ran to the line untested by the opposition. “A real natural Two year Old with heaps of ability” declared rider Mathew Cameron after the trial.
DARCI’S DREAM was acquired at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale by Fortuna Director, John Galvin and is raced by the Fortuna Darci’s Dream Syndicate, made up of 28 Members.
Four runners for FORTUNA in Singapore this weekend
Friday 30th September
LORD ROBERTO – Class 4 1200 on the Polytrack. The winner of two races in Singapore and over $100k in prize money so far, this big strong 5yo resumes after a spell will be ridden by Te Akau Racing’s Apprentice Willy Tan from barrier 7 in race 9 @ 2.20am Saturday morning NZ time.
Lord Roberto winning in Singapore
Sunday 1st September
EATONS GOLD – Kranji Stakes C 1100Turf Track. The winner of three races in Singapore to date, he is second up from a spell after resuming in this same grade over 1000 metres recently. Will be ridden by Champion jockey, Joao Moreira from barrier 8, Race 5, 6.50pm NZ time.
OUR RIVER DANCER – Initiation 1400 Polytrack. Two strong third placings from his first two runs in this grade at shorter distances indicate that this handsome grey 3yo is a horse with no little ability. The 1400 metres will suit him and he gets a run on the Turf track for the first time. Nicely drawn at barrier 3, a featherweight of 51.5kgs and to be ridden by the very talented Manuel Nunes, OUR RIVER DANCER could be very competitive in Race 2 5.50pm NZ Time.
READY FORTUNE – Maiden 1200 Polytrack. Four seconds from nine starts, but no wins yet for this handsome 4yo son of More Than Ready. He is resuming after having been gelded and gets his chance from barrier 7 in a field of 14; will be ridden by Singapore’s leading apprentice. Harry Kasim in race 7 @ 7.55pm NZ time.
MANNY PACUIAO and VON SNITZEL start for FORTUNA NZ Racing Stable Singapore Sunday 26th August
MANNY PACUIAO had the long shot punters sprinting for the payout windows with his stirring last to first victory last time out. This Sunday he gets another go in the same grade ( Class 4) and at the same distance (1200 metres) but will carry 3kgs more (52.5kgs). To be ridden by Te Akau Racing Stables apprentice Shafiq Rusof, who claims 2kgs.
VON SNITZEL starts Race 3 Sunday evening; a bit disappointing of late, he gets into this small Class 4 field with a featherweight; this could be his chance to knock up another Singapore win. He will be ridden by Apprentice Willy Tan, who claims 3kgs.
Singapore Champion Jockey Joao Moreira to ride Two Fortuna runners In Singapore this weekend, OUR RIVER DANCER and UNICORN EXPRESS
FORTUNA has two runners starting in Singapore this weekend, both to be ridden by Joao Moreira. First away in Race 2 Friday evening at 10.55pm NZ Time is OUR RIVER DANCER ( Danehill Dancer-Distinctly), a handsome grey 3yo who is having just his second start after running a bold 3rd on debut on the 26th July. He has drawn 8 in a field of 10 in an Initiation Plate event ( prizemoney $65k) over 1200 metres on the Polytrack.
Sunday evening at 7.55pm NZ time sees 4yo UNICORN EXPRESS ( Lucky Unicorn-Felenic) contest a 1600 metre Maiden event on the Polytrack. UNICORN EXPRESS, who has been running well without winning at shorter distances, should be well suited by the step up in distance and has drawn a nice barrier (4) for the race.
Trainer Mark Walker is very happy with both of these runners and believes they are both strong Each Way chances in their respective events.