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Friday Flash – 27th June 2025

Published 27 June 2025

VIVACIOUS – 4th Career Win – 11th June 2025 – Bruno Queiroz aboard

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Headline News 

Racing to receive major boost from NZ betting law changes

10% Share in West Indies available on the Secondary Market

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Fortuna has no runners this weekend

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata – 24th June

Marokopa Falls (T Mccrissican) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 59.4, last 600 in 44.6.

Riccarton – 24th June

Porcia Catonis (H Durrant) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.7, home in 42.6.

Cranbourne  – 24th June
No timed Fortuna work today

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Other News

Racing to receive major boost from NZ betting law changes  – $100m payment to be made by Entain

Entain Australia and New Zealand
25 June 2025

Changes to New Zealand betting laws which passed in Parliament today will provide a vital boost to New Zealand sporting and racing codes and to the safety of New Zealand bettors when the bill becomes law later this month.

Alongside the strengthened harm minimisation protections for New Zealand customers as a result of these law changes, a NZ$100 million payment from Entain Group, which will be made after the changes to the Racing Industry Act take effect, will further deepen Entain’s commitment to the New Zealand industry and will boost the fortunes for Kiwi racing participants and national sporting organisations.

Entain’s suite of brands in New Zealand include TAB and betcha, offering Kiwis a choice of bookmaker and betting preferences.

Entain’s 25-year strategic partnership with statutory body TAB NZ was established in June 2023 to provide an immediate financial uplift to the New Zealand racing codes and 38 National Sporting Organisations, committing more than $360 million to boost the fortunes of racing and sports in the first two years of the partnership, and almost $1 billion in the first five years.

The payment to racing and sporting codes and ongoing benefits from the law changes plays a crucial role in supporting communities and teams across New Zealand, sitting alongside efforts from government, member participation and sponsorship, Entain Australia and New Zealand’s Managing Director – New Zealand, Sam Moncur said.

“Entain is proud to be building on TAB NZ’s legacy of backing Kiwi racing and sport,” Moncur said. “We are also very aware of the privilege we have to provide a world-class betting experience to Kiwis. Entain, through TAB and betcha, will deliver odds as fair and competitive as a customer would find in the highly competitive Australian market. “Kiwis love a fair go, and we’re committed to providing fair odds for our racing and sports fans into the future.”

Entain Australia and New Zealand has been relentlessly focused on improving both the betting experience through investment in technology and the TAB retail network, as well as harm minimisation measures for customers since the strategic partnership began.

The TAB platform refresh in April 2024 brought with it a world leading suite of safer betting tools available to all customers. These best-in-class tools offer comprehensive choices to help customers tailor the way they manage their betting. These tools also became available to betcha customers upon its launch in August 2024.

These include: the ability to set deposit limits, an individual bet limit, curfews, controlling the markets a customer can choose to see, blocking out days of the week, deposit options, self[1]exclusion and account closure.

More harm minimisation options will be introduced to the New Zealand market to add to Entain’s world-class support in this area.

“We’re honoured to contribute to the future of the racing codes and play a part in keeping Kiwi sport alive and thriving,” Moncur said.

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10% Share in West Indies available on the Secondary Market

WEST INDIES – Derby Day – Flemington November 2024 – Craig Newett aboard
A member of the West Indies Syndicate has had a change of circumstances and wishes to offer his 10% share for the sum of NZ $5000.

West Indies was acquired by Fortuna in late October for AUD $200,000 off the Inglis Digital Sale site, He had run 4th in a Stakes race in Melbourne for his previous ownership group after breaking Maidens in NSW.  He had been owned by a Coolmore Colt syndicate (but had been gelded and so this is why they were offering him for sale) and he had been nominated for the VRC Derby, which was to be run a couple of weeks after we had bought him.

Drawing wide in the Derby, he finished back in the field and our assessment of him at that time was that he was still raw, so we gave him a good paddock spell. Resuming in the New Year, he had two good runs for third placings, before running 4th at Flemington in the VRC St Leger – post race assessment of that run drew the conclusion that the 2800m was just a bit far for him and so the decision was made to bring him back in trip a bit.

Two subsequent runs at Mornington and Bendigo were rather ordinary, but he was hampered by wide draws and tracks that were too firm for him. His most recent run at Pakenham (22nd June) on the synthetic saw him return to form, looking to be a real winning chance as they turned for home, but just got run down closing stages under the impost  of 62 kgs, a big weight for a 3yo. Click HERE to see the last 800m of that race

He will return to the same track and surface 14th of July for a benchmark 64 event in which he will carry 59 kg

Shares are available in this opportunity in minimum parcels of 1% of $500 each and $60 per month ongoing from the 1st of July – if you wish to participate in this opportunity please drop me a note indicating the percentage that you are interested in
 

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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Des tells me that around 40 of our readers took up his “free offer” last week which is a great outcome and later on Friday afternoon I was copied into the note below by one of those readers, who had an immediate significant collect from Friday’s selections – see that note below

Well done Des.
I took your offer through Fontuna Friday Flash this morning and for an interest, spent $24 on the late Quaddie today coupling up your selections and collected 100% of the $1255 quaddie – excellent result. I will owe you a few drinks in Melbourne in November!!
Many Thanks
KH

And as you will see from Des’ comments below, he is extending that free offer for this coming weekend as well –

Here is what Des has for our readers this week – 

Greetings John and Fans of Fortuna

Hopefully the 40 or so who took up my invitation to try my email tipping service ex gratis are enjoying it and appreciate the work that goes into providing the email delivery before 8am each race day.

This complimentary service continues to include the big winter meeting at Trentham on Saturday and Ruakaka as well as Wingatui on Sunday. If you missed the column last week you can still take advantage of my offer as long as you email me dcoppins@xtra.co.nz before 8am on Saturday.

Here are three horses to back at their very next start after what I saw in their latest runs.

OCEAN ROAD  (Te Aroha last Sunday) : it was slowly away and hit the line as good as any to run a close 4th. This horse was my value bet ($10) but the young rider had trouble riding him out effectively as tended to hang out. Keep this horse in mind over 1200m on a heavy track.

VICTOR ROUGE  (Riccarton last Saturday): any horse who over races on a heavy track is a liability. This runner was a total handful for its young rider and ran itself into the ground and was a spent force at the furlong. I wouldn’t let it slip under your guard.

FAST IMPACT (Tauranga last Saturday): the rider copped a suspension for an indiscretion during the running. It may not have been the easiest to ride but clearly it’s due to break its duck. The second placing on Saturday came on the back of a strong form race at Te Rapa.

1O QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Q1:  Isn’t Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson the complete horseman? He grabbed three wins as a trainer on his home track last Saturday; one of his most successful days in his 14 years in this profession. We cannot forget what a handy jockey he was, either; firstly as an apprentice at Woodville and then a CD senior jockey before moving to the south. He had close to 7,000 rides with approximately 465 wins and 15 at black type level and retired from riding after the 2013-14 season.

Q2: While winning races at Riccarton is nothing new to Lance Robinson as a jockey or trainer, three license holders broke their duck at Riccarton last week; Ayush Mudhoo ( Taimate Diva) Suzy Gordon ( Ka Ying Lucky)  and Liam Kauri( Connor O’Cieran and Highland Fling).!
Don’t you agree that Liam is an apprentice to watch right throughout the winter with his 3kgs allowance? It’ll be 2kgs only before the season is too far advanced, however.

Q3: They may have the budget and they may have the horses but there has to be nothing but praise for the season after season with the two year old results of Te Akau. Cool Aza Rene was the tangerine’s 20th two year old success for the season. Getting  a quick return on an ownership investment is something I’m sure all those involved with the Te Akau youngsters agree with don’t you think?

Q4: I know I’m repeating myself but Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz is capable of becoming one of the few jockeys world wide to win a premiership in three countries. He’s done it in Singapore and Brazil and who knows, after 16 wins in the short time he’s been in NZ, could he win the title as early as the 25-26 season?

Q5: Did you see Bruno’s  ride on Gallant Hero at Tauranga last Saturday? He lost both his irons when the saddle slipped and was forced to ride like “John Wayne” for half of the race before shuffling the saddle back somehow in transit and getting his toes back into the irons. He’s a class act, make no mistake!

Q6: Do you agree that common-sense has come to play with the re naming of the Great Northerns to Great NZ Hurdles and Great NZ Steeples? With Ellerslie’s famous hill no longer and no jumps at Ellerslie the hallowed Northern names should be protected in respect of the many  good people and horses over the past century who made the Northerns, in the north, so  famous.

Q7: With these two iconic jumps races staged on Saturday at Trentham who, In the last 50 years, would be the two most famous Wellington Hurdles and Wellington Steeples winners?
In my humble opinion, Royal Mail, in winning the Wellington Hurdles in 1977 is high on my list because four years later he ran 3rd against 36 runners in the famous English Grand National Steeples!
As far as the Steeples goes, maybe the 1990 event because it gave the amazing Ken and Ann Browne the trifecta, Royal Hush, Trelay Boy and Injun Joe.

Q8: Who will be the top apprentice jockey this season?
While Lily Sutherland has a comfortable lead she’s on the injured list and making ground to be close to a dozen behind are Amber Riddell, Triston Moody and Ace Lawson Carroll who are in a battle amongst themselves with all three in splendid form. This is the time of the year the apprentices gain plenty of chances through their allowances. In the meantime congratulations to Amber who rode her 50th career win at Awapuni on Sunday.

Q9: If Lily holds on to her second title it’ll be richly deserved nonetheless as she’s been off the scene since mid April. Agree? We are all wishing her well following her trials mishap which resulted in concussion – and a special mention needs to be made of the Te Akau apprentice, Hayley Hassman, who has ridden 14 winners as a professional rider since the 13th of March 2025,  at a strike rate of 7.57, which is actually the best strike rate in the amateur ranks – she seems to have a bright future

Q10: Do you sometimes wonder why  tracks like Foxton and Waipa are given the green light to hold trials meetings with up to 30 heats but not considered good enough to pick up the slack and hold the occasional 8 or 9 card tote meeting?

Good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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Friday Flash – 20th June 2025

Published 20 June 2025

Porcia Catonis – 4th Career Win – Riccarton  – 11th June 2025 – Bruno Queiroz aboard

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Headline News 

FORTUNA Social Media strategy

Just 1% left in our new OLE KIRK Filly – Click HERE to read details and to place order

OLE KIRK – EMPRESS ALI Filly
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Fortuna has three runners this Sunday, one in NZ, two in Victoria 


Te Aroha – Sunday

INCA BELLE contests the R65 1150m event – Race 8 @3.48pm with apprentice Hayley Hassman, claiming 3kg, to ride from a good barrier. Has been a long time since she greeted the judge but very rarely runs a bad race – gets a good draw here with a very much in form rider claiming 3 kg aboard – and track conditions will suit – represents a good each way chance here – TAB says “looks better placed over the shorter trip and looks to be a leading contender” – No odds showing yet

Cranbourne – Sunday

WEST INDIES runs in the BM64 event over 2050m with the veteran Craig Newitt to ride from an outside barrier – has disappointed last few starts, although has been hampered by wide draws and firm tracks – once again he has drawn wide here, but does find a softer track.  Needs to show improvement and will need a lot of luck from the draw – No TAB comments or odds showing yet. Note that West Indies has also been nominated for Pakenham on Monday and may go there instead if he draws a marble – acceptances for that raceday are Friday afternoon 

Echuca – Sunday

ZEDWILLDO  runs in the BM58 event over 2100m – Race 4 @ 1.05pm Aus time, with Brad Rawiller to ride from a wide barrier – ran a super, fast finishing 3rd over 1600m when 2nd up last start, beaten just 1.5 lengths – an out and out stayer he is building towards a win and gets a suitable trip here this start – third time up – is right in the mix here  – No TAB comments or odds showing yet.

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata – 17th June
No timed Fortuna work today

Riccarton – 17th June
Porcia Catonis (T Solomon) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 56.7, home in 37.2.

Cranbourne  – 17th June
No timed Fortuna work today

Matamata – 19th June

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Other News

FORTUNA Social Media strategy

We are really “upping the ante” with respect to our social media strategy – we have always had a presence on the various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn, but have up until now been a bit “half hearted” with it, relying on the time tested communication methods of our email updates, website posts etc, however there is no question that the world is moving down the path of more “instant” communications. Many people are now reading all of their news on their phones or on their laptops/desktops and the beauty of social media communications is that they are very instant and literally at one’s fingertips, if using a smart phone in particular.

And on top of that we have built up quite a significant following on the social media platforms to date – for example we have over 1000 followers on Facebook and Instagram and so our strategy is named at lifting those numbers and getting more people involved in following our news and updates.

So over the last month or so we have been experimenting with that and for example, if we took a typical race day where I am an attendance, I do a video clip of our runner or runners in their box before the race, this gets sent out on the social media platforms immediately, then there is a pre-race interview with the rider which also get sent out before the race and then, win, lose or draw, there is a post race interview with the rider and if we win the race, there is a closing stages video clip that pops up very shortly after the race.

A similar process is followed on trials days as well. Of course we are well aware that the social media platforms are not for everybody particularly those in the older demographic group, but having said that we have already spotted a number of existing followers on the platforms who are clearly in that older demographic group, so we should never say never should we?

And it is not just race or trial days – other news items that we have will be disseminated on the social media platforms as well – and as existing users will already know, sharing and reposting updates to friends or family members is very easy using the social media platforms

So if you are reading this and would like to dip your toe in the water to give it a go, but not quite sure where to start, there are two guides at the links below – one for for Facebook and one for Instagram  – and if you are having a go at getting all of this set up and running into some problems with it, then just tap the nearest teenage family member or friend on the shoulder and they will for sure be able to show you the right path

Click HERE to see the guide for Facebook
Click HERE to see the guide for Instagram

And don’t forget once you are set up in Facebook search for “Fortuna Thoroughbred Racing” and “Like” one of our posts and for Instagram search for Fortuna Thoroughbred Racing and “follow”

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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week – and please take note of the incredible “free offer” that Des is offering between now and the end of June – I know that Des is incredibly appreciative of the support he has had from our Fortuna client base in subscribing to his regular service and so here is an opportunity to “trial for free without obligation”

Greetings John and Fortuna followers of the Friday Flash.

Rather than hand out three this week to follow I’m keen to highlight three runners from last week’s racing who I feel are so close to a winter win.

INDIAN GOLD: He made up a ton of ground after an ordinary start at Te Rapa over 1300m. His sectionals were way and above all else in the race and Allan Sharrock has him spot on to win at its next start. I had him as a top 2 chance and I couldn’t believe he closed at odds of 28 to one!

QUICK CALL: a questionable, tactical ride last Sunday at the Oamaru meeting. The horse rallied after being held up and attacked the line with purpose on very tricky, heavy ground. She’s poised to win again for Kelvin Tyler.

BRUCIE: is in for a good winter over fences. He found no racing room in the latter stages on the flat at Wanganui when mounting a run near the outside fence. This horse missed 12 months after showing ability on the flat and over fences. In just 3 runs over both hurdles and steeples here’s never been further back than second. He’s trained by a master in Raymond Connors.

My 10 Questions for the week

1. If homes should be painted every 20 years and a domestic roof replaced every 40 why have some racing clubs allowed their buildings to go without any serious maintenance for nearly 100 years?

2. Isn’t it time whip rules are taken more seriously? If a horse wins by a short margin and the winning jockey cops a fine or suspension for excessive use of the whip should the runner up be promoted?

3. If trials allocated to synthetic racing continue to be cancelled because of insufficient entries why bother programming them in the first place?

4. I like the way Logan Bates in Melbourne rides. It’s not surprising is it when you consider his pedigree? His dad is Jamie Bates while his mum is Kylie Williams; both decent jockeys.

5. The Myers family had a milestone day at Te Rapa. Kevin Myers trained his 8th Waikato Steeples winner while niece Kelly Myers rode two winners on the day that coincides with her late father, Patrick Myers, who trained Outright to win the Waikato Hurdles 40 years ago and on the corresponding weekend  her grand dad , Bill Myers,  won the Waikato Hurdles with Even Terms 52 years ago. A roll of honour at Te Rapa in the winter  with a truly inspirational racing family don’t you think?

6. How poignant and special was the win of War Machine in the Stradbroke last Saturday?A horse formerly prepared by mighty Mike Moroney and bred by the Wallace Family of Ardsley Stud in Masterton whose grief is still fresh after their loss of close family member and champion bloodstock agent Michael Wallace last week.

7. Did you know that it’s 10 years tomorrow when the Waipukurau whizz and pocket dynamo, Intransigent, won this third Kiwi Fruit Cup at Tauranga!

8. When it comes to the time honoured winter handicap at Tauranga on Saturday which year stands out for you? Dare I say it could it be the one in 1998 when Watch Officer’s jockey Opie Bosson dropped his hands when seemingly home and hosed and was caught on the line by Quasin?  That ghost was a little laid to rest three years later when Watch Officer in 2001 finally got the job done in the Kiwi Fruit in the hands of Leith Innes.

9. I’m going on memory which may or may not be as sharp as it once was but the chaotic chase at Te Rapa on Saturday brought back the win of Hanut at Trentham in the early 1960’s. On that day 4 horses lined up at Trentham and only Hanut finished but there may have been another that finally completed the course minutes later after the jockey remounted? Don’t you just love the theatre of winter racing?

10. J-Mac sits on 119 group one wins; just 10 behind the highest elite tally of Damien Oliver? He’s an odds on favourite surely to break Damien’s record next season. J-Macs only 32. Will he get a knighthood when he eclipses the record to follow in the footsteps of other sporting champions like Dame Kydia Ko and Dame Susan Devoy, who all received their elite gongs before they were 35? Put simply, he should!

FREE RACE TIPS FOR JUNE

As I’ve had a good run with my email tips I’m happy to maybe brighten up your days until the end of the month with my email race tipping service.

If you’d like to receive them before 8am tomorrow and for the rest of this  month ex gratis please email me before 7.45am on Saturday and voila!!
Email is dcoppins@xtra.co.nz
Whether or not you eventually sign up as a fully paid up subscriber is irrelevant as it’s a try before you buy offer exclusive to Fortuna fans.
Give  it a whirl, there’s nothing to lose!

Good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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Friday Flash – 13th June 2025

Published 13 June 2025

VIVACIOUS records 4th Career Win  – Riccarton 11th June 2025 – Bruno Queiroz aboard

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Headline News

VIVACIOUS records back to back wins on the Riccarton Synthetic

Our new OLE KIRK Filly shares are flying out the door – just 4% left – Click HERE to read details and to place order
 

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Fortuna has three runners this weekend, two in NZ, one in Victoria 

Te Rapa – Saturday

HAYATE makes her jumps debut in the Maiden Hurdle over 2800m – Race 1 @11.11am with apprentice Jay Kozaczek, claiming 1kg to ride. Capable on the flat with 4 wins and 13 minor placings to her credit, she has been well schooled over the jumps and won a jumps trial at Cambridge recently – she represents a good each way chance here – TAB says “ Won a Hurdle trial last month – looks a wonner in waiting – can score without a doubt” – Showing $4.40/$1.70

MALBOROUGH BAY contests the R75 1400m event with Stable Apprentice Tayla Melvin, claiming 4kgs,  to ride from an inside barrier – has been a long tine between drinks for this fellow, but always runs honestly – Track will be very testing and so the claim will be a big help -steps back to R75 Grade here after running in open company last start – appears to be over the odds here and can feature – TAB says “Course winner, Trifecta and First 4 chance” – Showing $21/$6

Terang – Sunday

DREAMFLIGHT runs in the Maiden Hurdles over 3200 m with Jordan Hart to ride – is the relative newcomer to the jumping game but has shown steady improvement in his two starts to date – is looking for a wet track and gets it here with the track currently rated at a heavy 10 – can certainly feature in the finish here if things go right – TAB says “improvement needed to feature ” – No odds showing yet. 

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Trackwork – Fortuna RunnersMatamata – 10th June
Inca Belle (T Melvin) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.16.5, last 600 in 45.9.

Riccarton – 10th June

Porcia Catonis (T Solomon) worked over an easy 800 metres in 58.9, home in 41.6.

Matamata – 11th June
Hayate (O Bosson) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.30.9, last 600 in 44.5.

Malborough Bay (M McNab) galloped over an easy 1200 metres in 1.26.7, home in 42.4.

Cranbourne  -11th June

Dreamflight (C Wilson) and Leaderboard (E Wilson) worked over an easy 1600 metres in 1.56.7, last 600 in 38.9.

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Other News

VIVACIOUS records back to back wins on the Riccarton Synthetic

This promising racemare showed an amazing turn of foot to take this event out – Click HERE to see the closing stages replay – full story below

Published 12 June 2025

Impressive winning on the course last start, Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce, by More Than Ready)repeated the dose with another fine victory in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on 11 June at Riccarton (poly-track). After charging home to win the Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 May,the  remained in the same grade, with a two kilo increase to carry 56kg, but had been racing well, brought winning form, and again rated a top three chance.Ridden by the Brazilian jockey, Bruno Queiroz, who won two races earlier aboard stable-mate Queen Of Naples (Darci Brahma), Vivacious chased a genuine speed in eighth, was eight lengths astern at the 600m, and still well back when getting clear at the 300m, before unwinding powerfully to breeze on by over the concluding stages.

It was another terrific performance by a mare destined for higher honours, and, likewise, by a jockey that appears right at home riding on poly-tracks, given his prior experience in Singapore.

Click HERE to see the race replay

On course, assistant trainer Hunter Durrant said: “Once she lets down, she’s got a great turn of foot and it was an easy watch over the last 100 metres. But top of the straight I was questioning it. We’ve always rated her. Beginning of spring last year, we had a really high opinion of her, but it’s just taken us a bit to get her back to this. I think we’ve got the best of her now. These mares that we keep happy, they’ll run through walls for you, and I think that’s the key to it.”

In the race named Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 21 June, Vivacious ran 1200 metres in a polished 1:09.7 and paid $2.40 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

VIVACIOUS – 4th career win – Riccarton 11th June 2025 – Bruno Queiroz aboard

“It was a terrific win by Vivacious, she’s really starting to come of age and just got stronger,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. She’s been a slower maturing mare, but now as a four-year-old, in the back end of this season and into next season looks quite exciting for her. She’ll only continue to improve with age. It was another lovely ride of Bruno’s and Hunter (Durrant) has got the team humming along beautifully at Riccarton.”

Walker said that Vivacious would now be freshened in preparation for the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (Special Conditions) on Wednesday 6 August at Riccarton, on the middle day of Grand National Week at the course.

Owned by Fortuna Vivacious Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $60,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Riverrock Farm and has an ownership group consisting of 54 individuals“Back-to-back wins, carrying two kilograms more, she looked to be a hopeless chance on the home turn, but once again she showed a really strong turn of foot,” said John Galvin. “It was very, very, pleasing. It was a lovely ride by Bruno (Queiroz). I thought he was in a bit of trouble turning for home, but he managed to get her off heels and, in the end, she was far too strong. I certainly think she’s got the quality to contest the race we’re now targeting there in August. We’ve always held her in high regard and a mare that in time we believe could be a black type winner. She’s now starting to really show what she’s capable of and leaving no doubts as to her ability.”

Vivacious is by remarkable racehorse Dundeel (High Chaparral), who stamped himself as well above average from the day he blew his two-year-old rivals off the track on debut over 1200 metres at Ellerslie. The six-time Group One winner gained titles on both sides of the Tasman: Champion 3YO and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, and Champion Middle Distance horse in Australia. He ended his racing career winning the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) and his progeny have been highly sought after. So much so, that Dundeel has created a stud career on par with his racing deeds, and along with Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, and stable star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), he joined a total of 10 recent inductees to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

The dam side of pedigree of Vivacious is also particularly rich. Incredibly, world renowned dam-sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo) is one of only six stallions to have sired in excess of 200 stakes winners, with 26 Group One winners among them. He has been Champion Sire in both hemispheres, proved an outstanding sire of sires and going from strength-to-strength as a broodmare sire. Vivacious carries a bloodline cross to immortal sire Northern Dancer. Her dam, Vivi Veloce, was a Group Three winner over 1200 metres in Australia, and grand-dam Royal Sash (Royal Academy) also won at Group Three level among five wins to 1400 metres.

Vivacious was strapped by Talib Hussain.


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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Des has delivered some great results for his regular subscribers recently – Last Sunday, he provided the winners of the first six races on the seven race card (two selections per race) and at the Tuesday double header meetings, 16 collects out of the 18 races

Here is what Des has for our readers this week 

Greetings John and Fortuna followers

Hard on the heels of some wonderful jumping at Trentham on Saturday with stand out showings by Billy Boy, Jesko and Yolo, we move on to Te Rapa for the Waikato Hurdles and Steeples amongst two other jumps races.

It goes without saying that the three horses mentioned above are all top liners in the making and they’ll be winning their share this winter. Also worth noting there wasn’t one fall last Saturday although a few jockeys did the right thing and pulled their horses out of the race when clearly beaten.
Here are my 3 jumpers worth following this weekend and beyond:

The Cossack: he’s aiming for three Waikato Steeples in a row and get this he’s either won the Waikato Hurdles, the Brown Memorial ‘Chase or two Waikato Steeples at this meeting since 2021. He will have to get past stablemate Nedwin but many fans will be cheering him on.

Taika: Waikato Hurdles 
He has now won 4 hurdles and as it was only his second run this year when winning on the track a fortnight ago he should continue to improve. He’s another who likes it here.

Countryman: Roger and Ken Browne Memorial:
His third over hurdles at Trentham last Saturday was the pointer for the bigger fences in the Roger and Ken Browne Memorial. He’s a big player.

There’s so much going on in the news of racing and some of its sad. I’ve dissected the week the best way possible with a question time scenario.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

1 What an emotional time it’s been for racing. A week ago the CD team lost long respected owner Denis Leamy of Ashhurst; he was 81. Those heavenly skies shone 6 days following his passing at Trentham last Saturday with his horse Billy Boy a convincing winner of the Awapuni Hurdles?
2. Speaking of Billy Boy, did you know that a horse with the same won the Wellington Steeples in 1932 and 1934?
3. While the track was a heavy 10 “officially” last Saturday at Trentham and at New Plymouth on Tuesday
“unofficially” it was a heavy 11 at both venues.  I’m not convinced the official change is in the best of interest of punters, are you?
4. The passing of bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, Herb Rauhihi and a fortnight ago, the hall of famer, Syd Brown, who all played a major role in the CD and often further afield, adds so much sadness to the region wouldn’t you say?
5. What a legacy Syd Brown left? Recently Bjorn Baker, who’s low flying  in Sydney, mentioned how he learnt from his dad, the great man, Murray, who in turn learnt from another great man, Noel Eales, who himself was a prodigy of Syd Brown. All champions wouldn’t you agree. With so much historical hand me down  knowledge no wonder Bjorn is a beaut!
6. Did you know outstanding winger Stu Wilson answered the call to play alongside Bernie Fraser in a charity racing –  rugby match at Fraser Park in Wellington about 45 years ago? It was the day after a test match at Eden Park? “Just kick off and run off” I said to Stu. He replied “nah, I’ll bring my boots and play half a game” –  and he did! ( check out Noel Harris’s book; it was the day Noel sidestepped Bernie Fraser to score a try)! RIP Stu!
7. Will Per Incanto hold on to win his first Centaine award over Savabeel this season? For the record the Centaine criteria is around all stallions whose Nz conceived progeny have accumulated the highest stake earnings world wide. Per Incanto currently sits on $19m and  change to Savabeel’s $17.2m. Savabeel has won this award 9 years on the trot!
8. Per Incanto, by the way, is the dam sire of world champion sprinter’s Ka Ying Rising who’s been confirmed as a definite starter in $20m Everest in the spring. Who would’ve thought his dam, Missy Moo, who ran second last in her very  last race start in the 2019 Wellington Cup, would ultimately become more famous than the Wellington Cup winner, Gorbachev?
9. Chris Waller, with 19 group ones in a season, has the most elite wins of any trainer in a season in Australian history after Joliestar’s big win  last Saturday in Brisbane . How good when it was achieved with fellow kiwis  J-Mac and Brendan and Jo Lyndsay?
10. Lisa Allpress, who turned 50 the other week, is not finished with riding. She’s keen to make it a softly-softly return to the track in her quest to ride 2000 winners and she’s progessing well after that nasty kick behind the barrier on Cup Day at Trentham. She has 44 wins to go to reach her personal goal and significant milestone.

In the meantime why don’t you seriously consider joining  Lisa and myself on the Sporting Tours Melbourne Cup Tour this year? If it’s on your bucket list this will be a great year to tick it off. Email me if you’re keen dcoppins@xtra.co.nz

Have a great weekend and good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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VIVACIOUS makes it back to back wins at Riccarton 11th June 2025

Published 12 June 2025

Impressive winning on the course last start, Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce, by More Than Ready) repeated the dose with another fine victory in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on 11 June at Riccarton (poly-track). After charging home to win the Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 May,the  remained in the same grade, with a two kilo increase to carry 56kg, but had been racing well, brought winning form, and again rated a top three chance.

Ridden by the Brazilian jockey, Bruno Queiroz, who won two races earlier aboard stable-mate Queen Of Naples (Darci Brahma), Vivacious chased a genuine speed in eighth, was eight lengths astern at the 600m, and still well back when getting clear at the 300m, before unwinding powerfully to breeze on by over the concluding stages.It was another terrific performance by a mare destined for higher honours, and, likewise, by a jockey that appears right at home riding on poly-tracks, given his prior experience in Singapore.

Click HERE to see the race replay

On course, assistant trainer Hunter Durrant said: “Once she lets down, she’s got a great turn of foot and it was an easy watch over the last 100 metres. But top of the straight I was questioning it. We’ve always rated her. Beginning of spring last year, we had a really high opinion of her, but it’s just taken us a bit to get her back to this. I think we’ve got the best of her now. These mares that we keep happy, they’ll run through walls for you, and I think that’s the key to it.”

In the race named Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 21 June, Vivacious ran 1200 metres in a polished 1:09.7 and paid $2.40 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

VIVACIOUS – 4th career win – Riccarton 11th June 2025 – Bruno Queiroz aboard

“It was a terrific win by Vivacious, she’s really starting to come of age and just got stronger,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. She’s been a slower maturing mare, but now as a four-year-old, in the back end of this season and into next season looks quite exciting for her. She’ll only continue to improve with age. It was another lovely ride of Bruno’s and Hunter (Durrant) has got the team humming along beautifully at Riccarton.”

Walker said that Vivacious would now be freshened in preparation for the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (Special Conditions) on Wednesday 6 August at Riccarton, on the middle day of Grand National Week at the course.

Owned by Fortuna Vivacious Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $60,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Riverrock Farm and has an ownership group consisting of 54 individuals

“Back-to-back wins, carrying two kilograms more, she looked to be a hopeless chance on the home turn, but once again she showed a really strong turn of foot,” said John Galvin. “It was very, very, pleasing. It was a lovely ride by Bruno (Queiroz). I thought he was in a bit of trouble turning for home, but he managed to get her off heels and, in the end, she was far too strong. I certainly think she’s got the quality to contest the race we’re now targeting there in August. We’ve always held her in high regard and a mare that in time we believe could be a black type winner. She’s now starting to really show what she’s capable of and leaving no doubts as to her ability.”

Vivacious is by remarkable racehorse Dundeel (High Chaparral), who stamped himself as well above average from the day he blew his two-year-old rivals off the track on debut over 1200 metres at Ellerslie. The six-time Group One winner gained titles on both sides of the Tasman: Champion 3YO and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, and Champion Middle Distance horse in Australia. He ended his racing career winning the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) and his progeny have been highly sought after. So much so, that Dundeel has created a stud career on par with his racing deeds, and along with Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, and stable star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), he joined a total of 10 recent inductees to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

The dam side of pedigree of Vivacious is also particularly rich. Incredibly, world renowned dam-sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo) is one of only six stallions to have sired in excess of 200 stakes winners, with 26 Group One winners among them. He has been Champion Sire in both hemispheres, proved an outstanding sire of sires and going from strength-to-strength as a broodmare sire. Vivacious carries a bloodline cross to immortal sire Northern Dancer. Her dam, Vivi Veloce, was a Group Three winner over 1200 metres in Australia, and grand-dam Royal Sash (Royal Academy) also won at Group Three level among five wins to 1400 metres.

Vivacious was strapped by Talib Hussain.

Friday Flash – 6th June 2025

Published 6 June 2025

PORCIA CATONIS – 2nd Career Win – 29th May 2025 – Hayley Hassman aboard

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Headline News 
 

Today is the 80th Anniversary of D – Day and we pay tribute to those hundreds of thousands of men and women from a coalition of “free nations” who put aside their differences to come together and defeat a barbarous common enemy 

 

Fortuna acquires an Ole Kirk Filly at Magic Millions Sale

Chris Waller speaks out on prizemoney

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Fortuna has no runners this weekend but note that VIVACIOUS and ANGELS WINGS are to be nominated to run at Riccarton 11th June
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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata 
No timed Fortuna Runners trackwork this week

Riccarton – 3rd June

Vivacious (T Solomon) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.09.6, home in 38.9.

Cranbourne  
No timed Fortuna Runners trackwork this week

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Other News

Fortuna acquires an Ole Kirk Filly at Magic Millions Sale

OLE KIRK – EMPRESS ALI YEARLING FILLY

Fortuna Racing secures a strong, powerful Filly by first season Sire sensation Ole Kirk from the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale 

We went into the sale with four lovely yearlings on our shortlist, although in the end two of those failed their vet check, so we were left with two and we were keen to buy both of them, however the first one, who was the full sister to the Fortuna 2yo Filly Marokopa Falls, whom we bought at this sale last year, went over our budget – however we got lucky with this lovely Ole Kirk Filly, whom we were able to secure significantly under budget – read all about this beautiful Filly below and you can see her parading at the link below also

PEDIGREE

By Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), the Champion 3yo Colt in Aus 2020/21 and the winner of the two Group Ones as a 3yo, the Caulfield Guineas and the Golden Rose – he has commenced his Stud career in sensational fashion with 11 winners (15 wins) from just 22 runners, including 5 Stakes winners and leads the 1st Season Sires table in Australia over Wootten Bassett and Farnan

The Dam, Empress Ali (Holy Roman Empire) won 6 times in the UK from 9 Furlongs to 11 Furlongs and has one foal to the races (Thunder Gulch) who is a winner in Australia – she is a half sister to Shared Ambition who won 8 times at trips from 1600m to 2800m in Ireland and Australia, winning at Group 3 level (ATCNeville Sellwood Stakes) and 2nd placings at Group 2 level (MRC Peter Young Stakes, Moonee Valley Gold Cup and the ATC Kingston Town Stakes), collecting just under A$1m in the process

Click HERE to see her pedigree

Physical Type

A Filly of genuine size, she is an early October foal with a strong free flowing walk – you can see her parade Video  HERE – Mark Walker had picked her out from the Video Clips as one for our list and our on site Team of David Ellis, Marcus Corban and Mikey Grey, all loved her physical type when they conducted physical inspections

Mark Walker comments “Beautiful Filly, wonderful walk, great hindquarter, she really caught my eye when I was going through the parade videos – she is by a high flying 1st season Stallion in Ole Kirk, who is taking all before him as a freshman Sire and she is out of an Irish bred multi time winning racemare from a family with considerable Black Type success in the UK and Europe. She was bought for incredible value as John and Dave had a budget of A$150k for her and managed to secure her for just A$65k. Looking ahead, I think she can run as a 2yo, but will definitely train on as a 3yo and she has 1000 Guineas type written all over her”

John says “It was an interesting day for us on day two of the sale – on day one we had had a couple on our original list but they failed the vet and so on day two we had just two Fillies on our list and we were prepared to buy both of them – the first one was the full sister to Marokopa Falls (lot 1406) whom we bought at this sale last year and I thought that we had a really good chance to secure her within budget, but she was chased down by another party who seemed to have an unlimited budget and then with the Ole Kirk Filly (lot 1470), I was doubtful if we could secure her within budget, but in the end, she was knocked down to the bid of David Ellis for less than half her budget – its a funny old game at times, but just rapt that we have secured her”

Ongoing Plans

Having secured this Filly at an Australian sale, we are open minded about where she will eventually finish up to race, but what we have decided to do is to keep her in Queensland where the weather is significantly warmer than it is in New Zealand, have her broken in by Julian Blaxland and his team at Newington Farm, about an hour from the Gold Coast – Julian has broken in 80 years this year to date and is a great horseman with a great set up  – click HERE to see their website – on top of that Julian’s wife, Kacy Blaxland, is a licenced trainer and so after our Filly has been broken, Kacy will give her an initial preparation and then give us an opinion as to whether she would be better suited to Australian or New Zealand conditions – at this stage our own view is that she probably is going to be well suited to Cranbourne rather than Matamata, but we are open minded on that and will await Kacy and Julian’s opinion

The Numbers

All up, she will be syndicated for NZ$130,000 – this includes her purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Magic Millions Series Fee, Insurance to 31 Jan 2026 and working capital of just under $14k

10% share is NZ$13k, 5% NZ$6.5k, 2.5% NZ$3.25k, 1% NZ$1.3k – ongoing costs are NZ$60 per month per each 1% commencing 1 August 2025

Syndication paperwork is still being finalised, but what we are doing at this stage is taking “expressions of interest and if you give an expression of interest it means you are guaranteed whatever percentage you have advised and then once you have had the opportunity of perusing the finalised paperwork, you can make a final decision – all you need to do to go on the list is respond to this email with your preferred percentage.

Note that this Filly is registered for the Magic Millions Race Series – this is a Series of 28 races across Australia carrying in excess A$20m of prizemoney and only runners registered for this Series are eligible to be nominated – Click HERE to see detail

Just email a response to this update to express interest or call/text John 021 921 460

OLE KIRK – EMPRESS ALI YEARLING FILLY
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Chris Waller speaks out on prizemoney

Waller’s prize point – Is it time to slay the prize money beast?
By Bren O’Brien – The Straight – June 03, 2025Australia’s leading trainer of the past decade, Chris Waller, believes the prize money in his adopted country has reached a tipping point and it is time to take a step back. Bren O’Brien examines how ever-increasing returns to owners led to Australian racing’s inflationary bubble.  

As Chris Waller surged past $50 million in prize money for the second straight season recently, the man himself took time to reflect on the current challenges facing Australian racing. Responding to the outcome of the divisive Rosehill debate in his weekly CWR preview video, one of the few forums where Waller has been open and honest about his concerns over the past 12 months, the champion trainer advocated for a minor reset.

“Maybe we have to look at prize money and just have a little bit of a cut, put some money into facilities, infrastructure and plan for the future, not just beg all the time,” he said.

There has arguably not been a racing participant in the country who has done as well out of the record prize money levels of the past decade as Waller. His horses have compiled over $420 million in earnings since 2014/15, of which he is entitled to 10 per cent. On Saturday, his stable took 30 horses to the races across five venues, and while Waller was unable to secure a win, his runners still banked over $140,000 in prize money. That was, quite literally, an average day for Waller, with that daily amount expanded out across the racing year worth $50 million annually.

This is not a criticism of Waller, who is within one Group 1 win of the seasonal Australian record, but a reflection of the effectiveness of scale as a business model when it comes to training. Both he and Ciaron Maher have had over 2000 starters this year, and both have their lowest winning strike-rate in over a decade. Yet both will easily break the previous Australian prize money record of $51.7 million, set by Waller last year – Maher already has $56.2 million

That level of Australian prize money – which grew from $528.8 million in 2014/15 to $985.8 million in 2023/24  – would not be an issue if all other aspects of the industry were in strong financial health. But as Waller himself acknowledged, there is little point having some of the world’s best prize money if infrastructure is being left behind. Three weeks ago, referring to the standalone Gosford meeting, which featured a $500,000 race, Waller suggested the race could be worth $450,000, with the additional $50,000 put into track maintenance.

Waller plays his politics carefully, but he does use the forum of the weekly preview, hosted by Charlie Duckworth, as an opportunity to air his grievances. Prize money allocation has become one of those, as has the financial status of the clubs.

“We need some guidance, some good leadership and … they can easily get things back on track,” he said last week. “They can get a better relationship with Racing NSW, ATC if they’re not getting enough money, so sort it out and get more members. We’ve only got 11,000 members, we need 100,000.”

Waller is far from the first to raise these concerns, but he is by far the most prominent,   And these issues are far from localised within Waller’s base of NSW. Last week, Racing Victoria announced its annual schedule of racing for the 2025/26 season. But conspicuous in its absence was the schedule of prize money to go with this. That is still being worked on and is due to be announced in July.

Racing Victoria has a much-publicised budgetary issue. Last year, it recorded an $11.4 million loss, and while CEO Aaron Morrison has sought to address it with cost-cutting, including a round of redundancies last month, as well as a reduction in the number of meetings, there is increasing pressure on sustaining metropolitan prize money at its current level. In 2014/15, the top 10 trainers in Victoria earned $48.2 million in total prize money. With two months remaining of the current campaign, that figure stands at $78.6 million. And it’s not just trainers. The top 10 Victorian jockeys collected $41.1 million in prize money receipts a decade ago, while this year that figure stands at $74.8 million to this point of the campaign.

Prize money grew off the back of increased turnover through this period, which in turn saw more funding returned to racing, through race fields fees, and later, through Point Of Consumption Tax returns. Those who argue against prize money reductions say that the expense of doing business, particularly training, has skyrocketed over the last decade. Anyone who has been on the wrong end of an owners’ bill in recent times can certainly attest to this. But the beast of record prize money has fed an inflationary system, also driving bloodstock values ever higher, to the point where the market has become polarised. Smaller trainers and smaller breeders are wearing the cost and exiting in droves.

There has never been as much money in Australian racing as there has been in the past five years, but there is also evidence that never has there been so many finding it hard to make it work.

The concern, as Waller alluded to, is that the industry during the post-pandemic boom, may have squandered a generational opportunity to invest in tracks and other infrastructure, and lay the platform for generations to come. Hopefully, his clarion call, and the influence it carries, has not come too late.


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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week 

Greetings John and the Fortuna Team

Farewell autumn and hello winter!

Well done on Leaderboard’s brave second behind the outstanding weight carrier Stern Idol in last week’s Australian Steeplechase. The lighter weighted Fortuna multi tasker made up a couple of lengths on the winner after jumping the last fence and proved yet again what a versatile horse he is.

Of the three I penciled in last week the 10 to one chance Te Atatu Dream went down fighting while Cypress was clearly in need of the run and Dusty Road didn’t disgrace after finishing out of the money after copping a check from race rival Lux Libertas halfway up the straight. All three should be given another chance.

Before putting  three in the hat for Saturday and beyond let’s first pass on my editorial piece for the week.

10 QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Is Amber Riddell potentially the best amateur turned professional since Jason Collett?

2. Did you know that the once premiership champion Rogerson stable had a 52 losing sequence before making it back in style with a treble at Cambridge midweek?

3. Has there been a better exponent of synthetic racing in NZ than Lhasa, who lumped 62kgs to win his 6th at Cambridge on Wednesday?

4. If Pride of Jenni was yours would you say enough is enough and now let’s find a suitable sire?

5. It looks like more than 24 NZ trainers will surpass one million in stakes won this season. Before Entain came on board, did you know the highest number of “million earners” in stakes won by our trainers was just 11?

6. Craig Grylls has twice as many wins on the current premiership than second placed Michael McNab at time of writing ( 134 – 65 ). How staggering is that?

7. While the much liked “Gryllsy” wouldn’t be complaining on stakes won this season which is close to $6m, that amount of money would only have him 12th on the NSW premiership. In saying that he’s only about $50k short of the all time stakes record set last year by Warren Kennedy and that’s truly  outstanding isn’t it?

8. Has there ever been a more consistent jumper in NZ in modern times than West Coast. For the record he’s had 19 jumps races for 12 wins, 5 seconds and two thirds. In other words he’s never been out of the money over jumps.What a drawcard isn’t he therefore in the Awapuni Hurdles on Saturday at Trentham?

8. If he wins it’ll be West Coast’s second hurdle win – he won his maiden here two years ago at Trentham – and how about this if gets the job done it’ll celebrate yet another Awapuni Hurdles for trainer Mark Oulaghan whose winning record in this race date dates back 33 years ago with Ipso Facto?

9. For the sake of our jumps jockeys and jumps trainers, (some who have been around as long as Mark) don’t you wish them a safe and rewarding season? They deserve it!

10.  When scrolling through the Kings Birthday honours list did you give a big smile when reading the dame hood bestowed on LA Stud Catriona Williams? Despite her riding accident which has left her as a tetraplegic for over  20 years her work to find a cure in the spinal research holds no bounds. She oozes quality and an honour richly deserved and so say all of us!

My three to follow this weekend:

It’ll be almost gumboot day at Trentham on Saturday.

Yolo ( Kevin Myers) is half sister to 2016 Great Northern Steeples winner Kick Back and looks ready to go one better in race one at Trentham after a bold second in the jumps arena on Monday at Te Aroha.

So Call Me ( Kevin Myers), from all accounts has been good at the hunts and/ or trials over jumps and with his ability to plough through the heavy stuff there should be money for him in a big way in race two.

West Coast, race 3.
Just 4 starts over hurdles but surely a weight special!

Good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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Fortuna Racing secures an outstanding Yearling Filly at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale

Published 5 June 2025

OLE KIRK – EMPRESS ALI YEARLING FILLY


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Fortuna Racing secures a strong, powerful Filly by first season Sire sensation Ole Kirk from the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale 

We went into the sale with four lovely yearlings on our shortlist, although in the end two of those failed their vet check, so we were left with two and we were keen to buy both of them, however the first one, which was the full sister to the Fortuna 2yo Filly Marokopa Falls, who we bought at the sale last year, went over our budget – however we got lucky with this lovely Ole Kirk Filly, who we were able to secure at significantly under budget – read all about this beautiful Filly below and you can see her parading at the link below also

PEDIGREE

By Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), the Champion 3yo Colt in Aus 2020/21 and the winner of the two Group Ones as a 3yo, the Caulfield Guineas and the Golden Rose – he has commenced his Stud career in sensational fashion with 11 winners (15 wins) from just 22 runners, including 5 Stakes winners and leads the 1st Season Sires table in Australia over Wootten Bassett and Farnan

The Dam, Empress Ali (Holy Roman Empire) won 6 times in the UK from 9 Furlongs to 11 Furlongs and has one foal to the races (Thunder Gulch) who is a winner in Australia – she is a half sister to Shared Ambition who won 8 times at trips from 1600m to 2800m in Ireland and Australia, winning at Group 3 level (ATCNeville Sellwood Stakes) and 2nd placings at Group 2 level (MRC Peter Young Stakes, Moonee Valley Gold Cup and the ATC Kingston Town Stakes), collecting just under A$1m in the process

Click HERE to see her pedigree

Physical Type

A Filly of genuine size, she is an early October foal with a strong free flowing walk – you can see her parade Video  HERE – Mark Walker had picked her out from the Video Clips as one for our list and our on site Team of David Ellis, Marcus Corban and Mikey Grey, all loved her physical type when they conducted physical inspections

Mark Walker comments “Beautiful Filly, wonderful walk, great hindquarter, she really caught my eye when I was going through the parade videos – she is by a high flying 1st season Stallion in Ole Kirk, who is taking all before him as a freshman Sire and she is out of an Irish bred multi time winning racemare from a family with considerable Black Type success in the UK and Europe. She was bought for incredible value as John and Dave had a budget of A$150k for her and managed to secure her for just A$65k. Looking ahead, I think she can run as a 2yo, but will definitely train on as a 3yo and she has 1000 Guineas type written all over her”

John says “it was an interesting day for us on day two of the sale – on day one we had had a couple on our original list but they failed the vet and so on day two we had just two Fillies on our list and we were prepared to buy both of them – the first one was the full sister to Marokopa Falls (lot 1406) who we bought at this sale last year and I thought that we had a really good chance to secure her within budget, but she was chased down by another party who seemed to have an unlimited budget and then with the Ole Kirk Filly (lot 1470), I was doubtful if we could secure her within budget, but in the end, she was knocked down to the bid of David Ellis for less than half her budget – its a funny old game at times, but just rapt that we have secured her”

Ongoing Plans

Having secured this Filly at an Australian sale, we are open minded about where she will eventually finish up to race, but what we have decided to do is to keep her in Queensland where the weather is significantly warmer than it is in New Zealand, have her broken in by Julian Blaxland and his team at Newington Farm, about an hour from the Gold Coast – Julian has broken in 80 years this year to date and is a great horseman with a great set up  – click HERE to see their website – on top of that Julian’s wife, Kacy, is a licenced trainer and so after our Filly has been broken, she will give her an initial preparation and then give us an opinion as to whether she would be better suited to Australian or New Zealand conditions – at this stage our own view is that she probably is going to be well suited to Cranbourne rather than Matamata, but we are open minded on that and will await Kacy and Julian’s opinion

The Numbers

All up, she will be syndicated for NZ$130,000 – this includes her purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Magic Millions Series Fee (this gives potential entry to A$20m of races restricted to those runners who are Series registered), Insurance to 31 Jan 2026 and working capital of just under $14k

10% share is NZ$13k, 5% NZ$6.5k, 2.5% NZ$3.25k, 1% NZ$1.3k – ongoing costs are NZ$60 per month per each 1% commencing 1 August 2025

Syndication paperwork is still being finalised, but what we are doing at this stage is taking “expressions of interest and if you give an expression of interest it means you are guaranteed whatever percentage you have advised and then once you have had the opportunity of perusing the finalised paperwork you can make a final decision – all you need to do to go on the list is respond to this email with your preferred percentage.

Click HERE for the link to express interest

OLE KIRK – EMPRESS ALI YEARLING FILLY

Friday Flash – 30th May 2025

Published 30 May 2025

PORCIA CATONIS – 2nd Career Win – 29th May 2025 – Hayley Hassman aboard

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Headline News

PORCIA CATONIS wins again

Australian Turf Club Members vote “NO” to Rosehill Sale

Team Te Akau head to the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale 2nd/3rd June

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Fortuna has five runners Friday – Sunday, two in NZ, three in Victoria

Bendigo  – Friday

WEST INDIES runs in the BM58 2200m  event – Race 6 @ 3.30pm Aus time and will be ridden by Stable Apprentice Sage Duric, claiming 3kgs, from a wide draw – drew wide last time, got back on a very firm track and was forced to race against the pattern – wide again here, but this is easier – TAB says “West Indies was 4th in the VRC St Leger two back which augers well for this –  ran on late last time and this race is easier, so have to include on best form”” – No Odds Showing Yet

Te Rapa – Saturday

INCA BELLE contests the R65 1300m event – Race 5 @ 2.40pm NZT time and will be ridden by the in form George Rooke from Barrier 12  TAB says “Inca Belle has drawn out once more – this Mare has been placed in both of her course runs – Quinella and Trifecta must in this” – Showing $14 /$4.20 Fixed Odds

Wanganui – Saturday

RAGAMUFFIN races in the R75 2040 event – Race 8 @ 3.42pm NZT time and will be ridden by Premiership leading Craig Grylls from Barrier 7 – Is racing in great form and steps up in trip for this  TAB says “Going well” – Showing $8.50/$2.80 Fixed Odds

Sandown – Sunday

LEADERBOARD contests the Australian Steeples over 3900m – Race 2 @ 12.30pm Aus time time and will be ridden by  Will Gordon from the Ace barrier – Fell in sensational fashion when going like a winner at Warnambool 29th April, but had won his two previous races over the big fences prior – gets into this race beautifully at the weights  – TAB says “on his best form is sure to prove hard to beat” – Showing $3.70/$1.26 Fixed Odds

Moe – Sunday

ZEDWILLDO races in the BM 58 event over 1628m – Race 10 @ 4.05pm Aus time time and will be ridden by Paul Gatt from a wide draw – broke maidens over a trip in December was then spelled and resumed over 1400 m at Werribee 16th of May where he was well beaten at a trip far too short for him – will have taken good improvement from that and steps up and trip here – a definite staying type, he will need a longer trip than this but should be running home strongly at the finish – watch and wait – No guidance or Odds from TAB up yet
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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

 

Matamata – 26th May

Inca Belle (C Barnes) and galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.07.5, home in 39.2.
Riccarton – 26th May

Vivacious (H Durrant) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.06.7, last 600 in 38.9.

Cranbourne  – 26th May

Leaderboard (L Winks) worked over 1600 metres in 1.45.6, last 600 in 40.8.

Dreamflight (C Anderson) and West Indies (S Duric) worked over 1600 metres in 1.40.7, final 600 in 37.9.

Matamata – 27th May

Inca Belle (H Hassman) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.08.8, last 600 in 40.3.

Cranbourne  – 27th May

West Indies (S Duric) worked over 1600 metres in 1.48.4, final 600 in 40.6.

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Other News

PORCIA CATONIS makes it two wins from three stars at Riccarton 29th May

(If you did not see this race, the Replay is a “must watch” featuring a last to first finish, with a 3 length margin at the line)

Recent course/distance winner Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather, by Cape Blanco) sailed home again in the $17,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 May at Riccarton. Having responded well to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 1 May, Porcia Catonis finished sixth after contesting a genuine pace in the Pearl Series 1400 metres on 15 May, and the race looked an ideal opportunity to bounce back as a top three chance. Ridden quietly on this occasion by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (claiming 4kgs), who guided stable-mate Sense Of Timing (Time Test) to a stunning win last Saturday at Te Rapa, Porcia Catonis reversed the pattern of her previous start by settling second last. Although back to last just inside the 600m, a genuine pace had ensued, and once drawn widest in the straight she joined in for fun before clearing out to win by nearly three lengths.

PORCIA CATONIS – 2nd Career Win – 29th May 2025 – Hayley Hassman aboard

“That was a really strong win by Porcia Catonis,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson. “Hayley is riding in great form, she’ll be down to a three-kilo claim before we know it, but the filly really quickened when she presented her and that’s a sign a rider being able to balance them up properly in the straight. Her previous run had us wondering, but she won with a lot of authority today. The progeny of Super Seth, they’re just continuing to get better and better with racing experience, and he’s a very exciting New Zealand based sire.”

In the race named Thank You Brad Thistoll, who managed the crossing on track work mornings at Riccarton, Porcia Catonis took her record to two wins and a second, from four starts on the poly-track, ran 1400 metres in 1:23.2, and paid $6.70 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the Race Replay

Owned by Fortuna Porcia Catonis Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $110,000 by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds.

“That was quite impressive,” said John Galvin, who had watched the race from his Hamilton home. “She won her Maiden very well, off a wide draw, then disappointed us a bit last time after racing on the speed, which was a head-scratcher, but she came to life today after being ridden off the pace and zoomed down the outside of the track. She had the draw (2) last time, so we looked to utilize that, but it seems she prefers to settle off the pace and get home strongly. The (poly-track) surface is agreeing with her and it was another nice victory, to make it two for the owners in a month. I’m pleased for Hayley (Hassman), she’s riding out of her skin at the moment. Obviously, she took four kilograms off what was already a lightish weight, to carry 52.5kg, and that is a big help. Well done to the training team, Mark and Sam, Hunter (Durrant), there at Riccarton – Porcia Catonis is starting to build a reasonably impressive CV at this early stage of her career.”

Porcia Catonis is a daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth (Dundeel), whose oldest crop three-year-olds have been to the fore this season with three Group One wins in Australasia, including her Te Akau stable-mate La Dorada who won the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) following victories in both the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) to secure front-running for Champion Two-Year-Old honours.

Super Seth made a fantastic impact as a three-year-old colt, especially when ‘coming from nowhere’ to beat race favourite Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) in the Caulfield Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Super Seth is a son of six-time Group One winner Dundeel, a recent inductee to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, and a very good sire in Australia, with 73 stakes wins including 14 Group One, in turn by sire of sires High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells). Porcia Catonis carries a bloodline cross to breed shaping sire Sadler’s Well (Northern Dancer) through her two sire lines.

Porcia Catonis is raced by the Fortuna Porcia Catonis Syndicate, an ownership group of 64 individuals and was strapped by Leah Norvall.

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Australian Turf Club Members vote “NO” to Rosehill Sale

Members reject ATC’s Rosehill proposal
By Warwick Barr – May 27, 2025

Australian Turf Club members have voted against a controversial proposal to sell Rosehill racecourse for housing during an extraordinary general meeting. Marking the end of a chapter of a saga that has divided the NSW racing industry, the ATC membership rejected the plan first publicly pitched by chairman Peter McGauran and the NSW government in December 2023. At the time, NSW Premier Chris Minns described the potential sale as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” that would provide 25,000 new homes in Sydney amid the city’s housing shortage.

During a meeting that insiders say became “hostile”, the “no” vote gained 56.1 per cent, or 4413 of the 7864 received. “Yes” received 3451. There are more than 11,500 members of the ATC. McGauran insisted a sale was vital to future-proof Sydney racing, claiming the ATC is suffering severe financial pressure as wagering turnover declines. Under the terms of the proposal, the ATC would sell the western Sydney racetrack to the NSW government for a $5 billion asking price.

Addressing the media after the ballot, McGauran said: “I am disappointed that the vote wasn’t successful but I understand why people opposed it. I always saw it as both an opportunity and a necessity. An opportunity to completely change and modernise in the face of declining attendance, declining membership as well as necessity (during a) wagering downturn. Racing is not the dominant, nor let alone cultural pursuit, that it once was.”

Asked if he would step down from the board as a result of the vote, McGauran vowed to continue his role as an independent director and chairman.
“I believe (the proposal) was in the best interests of the club and of racing and so no, I won’t be retiring,” he said. “I serve as chairman at the pleasure of the board and so that’s always within their power but I don’t intend to resign.”

Despite the sale proposal causing a split among the ATC’s seven-member board and earning widespread industry condemnation from high-profile figures such as Gai Waterhouse, McGauran insists relationships can be mended. “I think we’ll come together very quickly because we all love racing,” he said. “There are obviously strong differences of opinions about how we fund and develop racing for the future. I don’t think there will be personal enmities going forward, but there will still remain strong differences of opinion as to how we shape the future.”

The ATC said it would use the proceeds to fund a $1.9 billion suite of upgrades to its remaining tracks, including $802 million on two new racetracks and new facilities at Warwick Farm. A new training centre to replace Rosehill was planned for land on which the Penrith Golf Club currently sits. Details of how the ATC would spend the windfall emerged after an April 3 vote was called off following a Racing NSW directive to provide more details on the proposal.

But McGauran warned the broader NSW racing industry should now be prepared for monetary pain as he foreshadowed reduced prize money and a review of the ATC’s expenditure.
“What we have to do is go back to core business, seek to reduce our operating costs where we can, discuss with Racing NSW and the state government how we can better align with their objectives and strategies,” McGauran said. “The funding would have transformed the entire Sydney racing scene for the next 100 years as it would have funded with certainty the ATC, non-dependent on wagering income. I am disappointed that we’ll never have the funding to better cement ourselves in the mind of the wider community who have a declining – rapidly so – interest in racing.  We’ll have to squeeze the lemon even drier because we are dependent on wagering and wagering is turning down. So sadly, I think prize money is brought into question (as is) our ability to provide the services members rightly demand as well as encourage young people.”

McGauran claimed the unimproved land value without a Metro station on the 60-hectare Rosehill site was a mere $27 million while saying there were many unknowns surrounding a potential sale of Canterbury racecourse in Sydney’s inner west. “We would look at Canterbury in the future but there are more uncertainties to that,” he said. “The beauty of the (Rosehill) resolution put before members was that we go to government with an offer of net $5 billion, not a dollar less. The resolution wouldn’t allow us to. Its simplicity, I believe, was compelling and we will never get that opportunity again because there’s not going to be a metro station.”

After earlier ruling out compulsorily acquiring the site if the club voted against the sale, Minns said he was disappointed with the decision of ATC members. Minns also hinted the government had contingency plans in place to help solve Sydney’s housing crisis. “They’re not ready for me to announce today, and not everyone will love them, but they’re absolutely necessary for Sydney,” he said.

John Comments “I have followed this saga from the very start reading all the reports and taking a note of all of the pros and cons, comments from a range of interested and involved parties and it was obvious to me ahead of the original vote (which was eventually delayed) that the ATC were probably going to fail to get this controversial proposal over the line. The vote was delayed and at that point the ATC produced a more enhanced proposal with a lot more detail and some members incentives to the value of around $70 million included – while the additional detail did address some of the concerns that have been raised by members, in the end clearly it wasn’t enough to get this proposal over the line. It was notable that a number of high profile trainers such as Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, John O’Shea etc were all strongly opposed to this proposal.

I think it is pretty obvious that there is going to be some significant fallout from this “no” vote – the ATC board had made it pretty clear that they were relying on this $5 billion asset sale to “future proof” Sydney racing, although it’s notable at three of the five elected board members were opposed to the proposal, however the independent directors (who are board appointed) were in favour, including the chairman, Peter McGauran. You would think that McGauran’s position in particular would now be under threat, however, at this stage he is refusing to resign.

For the immediate future, I think the ATC need to get back to basics, control their costs, reengage with their membership base, make better use of the assets they have, unlock capital assets that are not delivering adequate returns – in other words make the hard decisions just like any business needs to make in these tougher times

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Team Te Akau head to the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale 2nd/3rd June

Yes, this Yearling sale is just around the corner and David Ellis along with Marcus Corban and newly appointed Te Akau racing manager, Mikey Gray, are attending – Mark Walker will not be attending the sale but he has been hard at work researching the catalogue and the video clips and the team have a shortlist of horses from that initial research that they will conduct physical inspections on ahead of the sale. From a Fortuna perspective the Magic Million sales over the years have been very good to us and every single purchase we have made from Magic Millions going right back to 2006, bar one (Titahi Bay who ran 3rd on debut at her only start to date) have been winners for us including yesterday’s winner, the very promising Porcia Catonis – and at this Sale in 2024, we acquired Marokopa Falls, who won on debut as a 2yo last December – Fortuna will be buying at this sale, subject to the lots we want to acquire coming in at or under budget, so keep a look out for our “Breaking News” updates next week


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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Attending To Rapa last Saturday for the first jumps meeting of the season, I had a very enjoyable day on the punt following Des’ regular subscriber selections, collecting returns from six winners on the day including the winners of the three jumping races

Here is what Des has for our readers this week plus he reminisces on one of the iconic days of NZ Racing’s past and he provides a special offer to the Friday Flash readers for his regular tipping service

HOLDING ON TO THE MAGICAL MEMORIES OF THE GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLES AT ELLERSLIE

It’s Kings Birthday weekend but from a racing stance not as we know it. In wishing all the racing clubs conducting meetings over this long weekend all the best, there’s something about the old Queens Birthday holiday that’s missing.

As we know the famous hill at Ellerslie  made way for housing development 3 or 4 years ago and, while through the sale, a much needed  investment was ploughed into racings future, especially at Ellerslie , racing lost arguably the greatest racing spectacle on the planet, the time honoured Great Northern Steeples, run on the Monday.

If you’re a die hard racing enthusiast I’m sure you’ll agree.

For me, I probably cut my teeth in racing on Great Northern Steeples day. Let me share my brief story for what it’s worth.

In the mid to late 1950’s we lived in Marua Road, close to Ladies Mile; the road that runs parallel to the old Ellerslie hill. As a primary schooler I’d tag along with my two older brothers and push through the outside hedge and stand alongside hundreds of people at either the first or second fence on  top of the hill to watch  the Northern steeples. It was an adrenaline rush for us all as we stood back and saw  both horse and rider master the epic hill three times. I recall the ultimate winning runs of Irish Ace ( 1958); Ben Vola (1959); Patrick Molloy (1959) and Patrick Molloy (1960) while watching from the same spot.

It was one of the Patrick Molloy wins that was a stand out although I’m not sure which one. Lochgair, who was a dominant leader on the last lap, swerved badly on landing and catapulted jockey Reg Turnwald out of the saddle. Miraculously Turnwald held on and after easing his mount to a stand still;  remounted and from the back the pair made up good ground to pass a few stragglers to end up in 5th. It was truly a remarkable piece of horsemanship and a gutsy effort by Lochgair and they  returned 5 days later for redemption in the McGregor Grant Steeples.

Fortunately I’ve  enjoyed decades  of great, Great Northerns to add to my initial excitement. For example I watched in awe as Eiffel Tower did a 360 degree turn at the water jump which claimed the mighty Kumai in winning  in 1967. That was unforgettable! Then there was one of the top jumps hoop of his era Baggy Hillis, who won two Northerns on the Colin Jillings trained Brockton; once with a broken arm which he refused to acknowledge prior to the race in case the authorities stood him down.

A few Northerns later Baggy’s two sons  Paul and Wayne added to the Hillis Great Northern haul with Wayne’s deadheat on Sir Avion. You may recall how he  shared it with Smart Hunter ( Michelle Hopkins) in 2001. To be on course and watch both horse and jockey eager to provide the knock out punch as they traded blows right from the start took the excitement of the race to another level. Adding to the go to whoa epic the colourful on course commentator Keith Haub immediately called it a dead heat as they crossed the line! Outstanding!

Naturally 18yo Grant Cooksley’s win on track record holder Ballycastle and both Hunterville and Hypnotise’s three peats  are other  performances that stand out for me as personal highlights of a race that jumps jockeys labelled  their “Melbourne Cup” and all jumps trainers agreed while racegoers didn’t always go mad on the punt but enjoyed it for what it was, simply an outstanding spectacle!

You’ve probably got your favourite Ellerslie Great Northern Steeples; I dare say more than one because each year there was another great story to share.

Of course there are so many changes in racing that we’ve had to accept for obvious reasons. Sometimes it’s hard. However, hanging on to the magical memories the Great Northern Steeples over the once famous  Ellerslie hill is something we can all  hold on to. And those memories may well come flooding back on Monday.

Happy Kings Birthday weekend one and all.

3 FOR CONSIDERATION

While the 3 gallopers released last week didn’t run in the money it may pay not to drop them entirely. I was reminded during the week that 3 horses in the last few weeks, that I had labelled initially, either won at their next start or the start after –  Nigella Lane, Acapalego and Who Knows.

DUSTY ROAD, Race 6 at Te Rapa

He likes the track and he likes this time of the year. Last winter between May and August he had 6 starts in variations of rain affected tracks and collected 2 wins, three seconds and a 4th.

TE ATATU DREAM, Race 8 at Te Rapa

She won around the same time last year on this track with a dominate on pace performance over 1600m. She was keen when leading last week here and fought well to just miss second.

CYPRESS, Race 4 at Wanganui

Kevin Myers has taken this boy to a couple of trials with a win and a cosy third behind Ima Brazen One. He won first up last season on debut at Woodville on a heavy 10. I rate this horse as one to follow all season.

Good punting!

 PS – the 4 month offer for my email tips starts Saturday with one month free which means you’ll get all of June, July, August and September for an outlay of $240 gst inclusive.
For the second Saturday in a row the card, bar one race, has had a clean sweep with two main quaddies on a 2 x 2 x 2 x2 ($16) basis for a total return in excess of $1,000! If you are keen to get involved simply email me dcoppins@xtra.co.nz and you’ll be in the swing from tomorrow morning before 9am.

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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PORCIA CATONIS makes it two wins from three starts at Riccarton 29th May

Published 29 May 2025

Recent course/distance winner Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather, by Cape Blanco) sailed home again in the $17,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 May at Riccarton. Having responded well to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 1 May, Porcia Catonis finished sixth after contesting a genuine pace in the Pearl Series 1400 metres on 15 May, and the race looked an ideal opportunity to bounce back as a top three chance. Ridden quietly on this occasion by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (claiming 4kgs), who guided stable-mate Sense Of Timing (Time Test) to a stunning win last Saturday at Te Rapa, Porcia Catonis reversed the pattern of her previous start by settling second last. Although back to last just inside the 600m, a genuine pace had ensued, and once drawn widest in the straight she joined in for fun before clearing out to win by nearly three lengths.

PORCIA CATONIS – 2nd Career Win – 29th May 2025 – Hayley Hassman aboard

“That was a really strong win by Porcia Catonis,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson. “Hayley is riding in great form, she’ll be down to a three-kilo claim before we know it, but the filly really quickened when she presented her and that’s a sign a rider being able to balance them up properly in the straight. Her previous run had us wondering, but she won with a lot of authority today. The progeny of Super Seth, they’re just continuing to get better and better with racing experience, and he’s a very exciting New Zealand based sire.”

In the race named Thank You Brad Thistoll, who managed the crossing on track work mornings at Riccarton, Porcia Catonis took her record to two wins and a second, from four starts on the poly-track, ran 1400 metres in 1:23.2, and paid $6.70 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the Race Replay

Owned by Fortuna Porcia Catonis Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $110,000 by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds.

“That was quite impressive,” said John Galvin, who had watched the race from his Hamilton home. “She won her Maiden very well, off a wide draw, then disappointed us a bit last time after racing on the speed, which was a head-scratcher, but she came to life today after being ridden off the pace and zoomed down the outside of the track. She had the draw (2) last time, so we looked to utilize that, but it seems she prefers to settle off the pace and get home strongly. The (poly-track) surface is agreeing with her and it was another nice victory, to make it two for the owners in a month. I’m pleased for Hayley (Hassman), she’s riding out of her skin at the moment. Obviously, she took four kilograms off what was already a lightish weight, to carry 52.5kg, and that is a big help. Well done to the training team, Mark and Sam, Hunter (Durrant), there at Riccarton – Porcia Catonis is starting to build a reasonably impressive CV at this early stage of her career.”

Porcia Catonis is a daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth (Dundeel), whose oldest crop three-year-olds have been to the fore this season with three Group One wins in Australasia, including her Te Akau stable-mate La Dorada who won the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) following victories in both the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) to secure front-running for Champion Two-Year-Old honours.

Super Seth made a fantastic impact as a three-year-old colt, especially when ‘coming from nowhere’ to beat race favourite Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) in the Caulfield Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Super Seth is a son of six-time Group One winner Dundeel, a recent inductee to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, and a very good sire in Australia, with 73 stakes wins including 14 Group One, in turn by sire of sires High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells). Porcia Catonis carries a bloodline cross to breed shaping sire Sadler’s Well (Northern Dancer) through her two sire lines.

Porcia Catonis is raced by the Fortuna Porcia Catonis Syndicate, an ownership group of 64 individuals and was strapped by Leah Norvall.

Friday Flash – 23rd May 2025

Published 23 May 2025

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VIVACIOUS – 3rd career win – Riccarton 15th May 2025 – Courtney Barnes aboard
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Headline News

Matamata Racing Club unveils major expansion plans

Leaderboard in the News
 

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Fortuna has one runner in NZ on Saturday

New Plymouth  – Saturday

MALBOROUGH BAY contests the R75 1400m  event – Race 7 @ 3.50pm and will be ridden by Apprentice Jim Chung, claiming 2kgs, from barrier 5 – racing in good consistent form, has good record this venue, nice draw, feather weight to carry  – good top 3 chance here  – TAB says “placed in three of five course runs – quinella and trifecta must here at 52 kgs with the claim” – Showing $6.50/$2.30

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata – 20th May

Malborough Bay (C Barnes) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.05.5. last 600 in 37.3.

Cranbourne  – 20th May

West Indies (S Duric) and Leaderboard (L Winks) worked over 1600 metres in 1.41.6, last 600 in 38.2.

Matamata – 22nd May

Marlborough Bay (C Barnes) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.15.2, home in 43.9.

Riccarton – 22nd May

Angels Wings (H Durrant) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.11.4, home in 39.2.

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Other News

Matamata Racing Club unveils major expansion plans
 

In a significant move set to reshape the New Zealand racing landscape, the Matamata Racing Club has confirmed the acquisition of a neighbouring property formerly owned by Valachi Downs. The purchase will pave the way for the development of a major new training facility, capable of housing up to 20 state-of-the-art barns with capacity for 250 horses.

The new complex will bolster the club’s already substantial infrastructure, currently accommodating around 150 horses on-course. With approximately 850 horses training at Matamata every month, the expansion is poised to make the Waikato venue the largest training centre in New Zealand.
The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Matamata Racing Club General Manager, Regan Donnison, to hear more about the ambitious plans. “The club purchased the property about three years ago with the idea of possible expansion,” Donnison said. “At the moment, there is a lot of positivity around the industry and high demand for trainers to be able to set up on-course, as per what is becoming the norm in Australia. There are many reasons for this. There is significant cost involved in training off-course, with trucks and staff, and having all staff in one place obviously works financially and logistically. We are mindful that we need to act now and it is the first step of a process. We want to grow and for everyone to benefit, and we have to play our part in order for this to happen.”

Matamata: A centre of equine excellence

Founded in 1919, Matamata Racing Club remains a cornerstone of the New Zealand racing industry, both historically and in modern times. In the 2024/25 season, the club held eleven race meetings under its own banner and hosted an additional fixture for the South Waikato Racing Club. The venue has also established itself as a prolific nursery of elite talent. In the 2023/24 season alone, Matamata-trained horses won 45 individual stakes races, including 40 per cent of all Group 1 races run in New Zealand. This season is already shaping up as another strong campaign, highlighted by significant results in spring and summer majors, including the inaugural running of the R. Listed NZ$3.5 million New Zealand Bloodstock Kiwi.

Already servicing around 40 trainers and approximately 850 horses, the club’s on-course amenities include a variety of training tracks, a swimming pool, weighing scales, schooling fences, custom-built jump out gates, and more. The next phase of development is aimed at future-proofing the venue and elevating it to truly world-class standards.

“This is more than just an expansion. It’s a vote of confidence in our trainers, our horses, and the future of New Zealand racing,” said Donnison. “We’re responding to real demand and positioning ourselves, and our region, as a key contributor to the national industry moving forward. This next phase of development will ensure Matamata remains at the forefront of the industry for years to come, while strengthening the Club’s ability to continue investing in its facilities with the goal of achieving world-class standards in the near future.”

Industry reaction
Among those welcoming the project is Andrew Scott, co-trainer of the powerhouse Wexford Stables, based at Matamata.

“It’s great to see a local club taking a progressive approach,” Scott said. “If all goes to plan, their proposed facilities will be a real asset to the industry, creating more opportunities for people to train on track, in line with a growing trend across Australasia. There’s still a way to go before it’s fully realised, but it’s a strong step in the right direction.”

Mark Walker who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson as part of the Te Akau team commented “Matamata has stood the test of time, Dave O’Sullivan and Jim Gibb’s are the pioneers of Matamata and there have been a lot of very good Matamata trained horses over the years. It is great to see Matamata looking towards the future and it provides an opportunity for the younger generation to get involved in leasing barns of 15-20 horses which is great. Especially as the price of land around race tracks in the Waikato in particular involves big, big bucks, and it is beyond young people. The area that the club has purchased is the old Wexford Stables were Paul and Dave O’Sullivan used to train, so there is good history there. Things in New Zealand are looking positive and Entain has basically saved us, it was looking pretty bleak, but with the prizemoney changes there is light at the end of the tunnel which is positive.”

While investment and and development is great, Walker commented that “Work is still to be done in New Zealand, Matamata are doing a great thing here but across New Zealand we need to improve race track surfaces, if you got no dance floor you can’t have a dance can you.”

John comments – this is certainly an interesting development by the Matamata Racing Club to further develop what is already a pretty good regional training centre – with my regular trips to Victoria over the last 18 months or so I have seen how regional training centres like Cranbourne and Pakenham have developed their training infrastructure and created major training centres  even though they are quite a distance away from the Melbourne City Centre


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Australian Steeplechase likely option for Leaderboard

LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
20 May 2025

Te Akau Racing’s Group Three winner Leaderboard has made a big impact on the Australian jumping scene over the last 12 months, and he is set to return to the discipline in the coming weeks

Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna Racing, Leaderboard was victorious in seven races on the flat, including the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m), before transitioning to a career over fences.

He made an immediate impact when transferred to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn, winning his maiden hurdle at just his second start in Australia before going on to place in the Australian Hurdle (3900m), Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m), Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and Grand National Steeplechase (4800m).

He returned with the same vigour this year, winning both of his steeplechase starts last month before falling at the Tozer Road double when favourite in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) at Warrnambool.

The Mark Walker-trained gelding was unharmed in the fall and will likely return to racing on the flat at Mornington next Monday before heading towards the Australian Steeplechase (3900m) at Sandown next month.

“He’s come through fine and it’s just a matter of him regaining his confidence,” Te Akau Racing assistant trainer Ben Gleeson told Racing.com. “He’ll go to Mornington and then might go over a couple next week in the lead-up to Sandown on the Sunday.”

John  says, “Ben mentions Mornington – this is a Benchmark 70 3000m flat race on Monday 26th and is aimed at giving him a solid hit out on the flat over a decent trip before tackling the 3900m Aus Steeples at Sandown Sunday 1st June”
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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week – incredibly Des tipped out a $45 winner at Cambridge during the week – one of two tips for the race and altogether he tipped out six winners on the Cambridge card – and his best bets (one per meeting) have delivered regularly of late – check out his Stop Press offer below

Greetings John and Fortuna followers

8 Cup Race Days at Trentham

I mentioned the other week how well Trentham has dodged the weather bullet time and again. And again a decent surface prevailed last Sunday, just 12 hours before a storm hit and a deluge clobbered it. For the record Trentham hasn’t presented a slow 6 track in May in the last 25 years. I kid you not – you could almost hear the pounding of the hooves standing by the birdcage fence. It was music to our ears.

Trentham has been the serious back up for failed tracks in the CD this season as we all know  and incredibly it has hosted 8 Cup days! Yes, the Wellington Cup, the Awapuni Gold Cup, the Feilding Cup, the Manawatu Cup, the Marton Cup, the Rangitikei Cup, the Masterton Cup and the Hawkes Bay Cup have all relied on Trentham from November through to last Saturday.

Trentham now moves into winter gear. The rain was necessary for upcoming figure 8 chasing in June  and there was doubt whether or not there would be jumps racing on the infield had the rain not arrived.

WELCOME BACK WAIPUK! 
On the subject of tracks the good work Kirsty Lawrence and her team have done in keeping Waipukurau up to the mark with trials and jump outs has paid off. The draft calendar for the new season is out and Waipukurau has been given the sign off from NZTR for 3 tote meetings. How much of this is down to the semi closure of Hastings is  maybe a moot point but let’s not lose sight of the fact that the Waipukurau team never intended to die wondering despite not seeing competitive racing since pre Covid days.

JUMPING FOR JOY

We’re ready to launch into the jumping season and those of us who really enjoy the excitement jumps racing brings at this time of the year once again need to thank the good old reliable Paul Nelson, Kevin Myers, Mark Oulaghan and John Wheeler.

We kick of with hurdles and ‘chasing at Te Rapa and of the 23 acceptors in the 3 jumps races the above famous 4 stables  make up almost half the runners. While it’s so refreshing to see other trainers featuring on Saturday in the jumps races – and I get the feeling the name Fannin will play a leading part in his relatively new capacity this winter – the effort those regulars put in season after season should never be lost on us. Their consistent winter contribution with runners from their stables  has certainly kept jumps racing alive in NZ and the stars they’ve produced – of which there are many – is the icing on the cake.

Three to follow this weekend:

 Stayintouch , engaged at Te Rapa and New Plymouth

She was a dominant trial performer who has accepted for both Te Rapa( race 3) and New Plymouth (race one). I think she may head to seemingly the easier option in the Naki. It’s more of a staying family on the dam’s side but it’ll come as a surprise if she doesn’t run boldly.

Chanel Surfer, race 6, Te Rapa

He hasn’t been far away in his last two runs at Te Rapa when not getting the rub of the green either at the start or in transit. I reckon this race is a slight come back in class on its last run and again if he gets a trouble free run I see no reason why he won’t play a part in the outcome.

Fancypants, race 5, New Plymouth

He showed enough promise last season to suggest time was always going to be his friend despite winning twice in wet ground. The first up run at Trentham the other week had next up written all over it. The 3kgs apprentice claim is also an assist. It’ll be a surprise if he doesn’t run a beauty.

 STOP PRESS
My email tips per meeting have had a great run in the last week. Two tips per race have included an $800 plus quaddie at Trentham and a $45 win dividend at Cambridge midweek. I’m offering my regular subscribers, who are up for renewal, a bonus month; 4 months instead of 3 at $240 ( gst inclusive).

Fortuna readers, this offer is for you as well ( May 1 – Sept 1)!
My email is:  dcoppins@xtra.co.nz if you are keen. I’ll bonus you the rest of the month as well starting this Saturday!
Have a good weekend.

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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Fortuna 4yo Racemare, VIVACIOUS, scores a stylish victory at Riccarton Park 15th May 2025

Published 16 May 2025

Premiership leading trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson recorded their 110th win this season when Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce, by More Than Ready) sailed home in the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 May at Riccarton. Although over a month between runs, having missed a start when the Riccarton poly-track meeting was abandoned prior to her race on 1 May, Vivacious had finished solidly in tight quarters for close fourth in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 12 April at Riccarton, and rated a top four chance from barrier one, although was fortunate to get a start as originally she had been on the ballot and needed a scratching to get in the field

Ridden again by Courtney Barnes, who has come of age as jockey this season, Vivacious was unable to utilize pole position in the early rush, but improved on the rail to be midfield at the 800m, and with a clever piece of riding at the 400m was able to angle clear and charge home for victory.

Stable-mates in the race, Alminette (Burgundy), kept alive her good course form when finishing third, while the other Fortuna runner, Mitre Peak (More Than Ready) followed her fresh-up second with a solid fifth.

Winning by one and a half lengths, in the race named Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 21 June, Vivacious clocked 1400 metres in a slick 1:21.6, fractionally outside the course record (1:21.4), and shortened appreciably from an earlier $9.00 & $2.80 fixed odds quote to pay $5.30 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the race replay

On course, co-trainer Mark Walker said: “It was a strong effort and good to get another winner for John and Jessica (Galvin) and the Fortuna Racing owners. She’s always been a slower maturing filly, but that win could be quite timely in her career and give her confidence to go on in this campaign.”

Although first start on a poly-track, Vivacious had won her first trial on the poly-track as two-year-old at Cambridge, and Walker was pleased to see her cope with it at race pace. “It was also pleasing to see her let down like she did on the synthetic surface, and there’s plenty of options coming up on the poly-track at Riccarton,” he said.

Owned by Fortuna Vivacious Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $60,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Riverrock Farm.

“She won so well earlier in the season at Ashburton, when coming from last on the home turn, but since then she often hasn’t had the rub of the green, with wet tracks, wide draws etc,” John Galvin, who was on track along with some of her Ownership Group, said. “I thought she was a real chance today, given her form, light weight (54kg), and the barrier draw (1), and she was beautifully ridden by Courtney (Barnes). She was a bit slowly away, but had a lovely soft run and Courtney just got her out at the right time. In the end she was too strong. We’ve always thought a bit of her and now she’s got her third win it could give her added confidence. Being rated 66 she’s been on the cusp of Rating 75 grade, but will probably pick up five or six points which will allow her to remain in that grade for her next start at least. And we’re hoping she’ll have a black type race in her, sometime in the future.”

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VIVACIOUS – 3rd career win – Riccarton 15th May 2025 – Courtney Barnes aboard

Vivacious is by remarkable racehorse Dundeel (High Chaparral), who stamped himself as well above average from the day he blew his two-year-old rivals off the track on debut over 1200 metres at Ellerslie.

The six-time Group One winner gained titles on both sides of the Tasman: Champion 3YO and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, and Champion Middle Distance horse in Australia. He ended his racing career winning the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) and his progeny have been highly sought after.

So much so, that Dundeel has created a stud career on par with his racing deeds, and along with Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, and stable star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), he joined a total of 10 recent inductees to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, which was celebrated last Sunday in Hamilton.

The dam side of her pedigree is also particularly rich. Incredibly, world renowned dam-sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo) is one of only six stallions to have sired in excess of 200 stakes winners, with 26 Group One winners among them. He has been Champion Sire in both hemispheres, proved an outstanding sire of sires and going from strength-to-strength as a broodmare sire.

Vivacious carries a bloodline cross to immortal sire Northern Dancer. Her dam, Vivi Veloce, was a Group Three winner over 1200 metres in Australia, and grand-dam Royal Sash (Royal Academy) also won at Group Three level among five wins to 1400 metres.

Vivacious is raced by the Fortuna Vivacious Syndicate, an ownership group of 61 individuals  – Vivacious was strapped by Emma Angland.

 

VIVACIOUS and her connections Riccarton Park – 15th May 2025
1 … 6 7 8 9 10 … 83