Friday Flash – 6th September 2024
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Friday Flash – 30th August 2024
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Friday Flash – 23rd August 2024
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Friday Flash – 16th August 2024
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Friday Flash – 09 August 2024
MITRE PEAK – 2nd career win – Riccarton 12th July – Niranjan Parmar aboard
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Headline News
Jumps racing in NZ under review
Leaderboard runs 3rd in Grand National Hurdle in Victoria – Grand National Steeples is next
Vale Peter Joyce and Peter Hamling
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Fortuna has two runners on Sunday, both in Singapore
RHETT BUTLER contests the Class 5 1400m Polytrack event – Race 1 @12.30 Sing time (4.30pm NZT) with Darren Danis to ride from Barrier 4 – has been very disappointing now for several months, needs to lift significantly to feature here in what maybe his last run in Singapore as he is under contract for sale to Malaysia – TAB says “Impossible to entertain” – Odds not showing yet
KNIPPENBERG races in the Class 3 1200m Turf event – Race 6 @ 3pm Sing time (7pm NZT) with Calos Henrique to ride from Barrier 4 – has won four times this trip and surface in Singapore and all on the Long Course which is the course for Sunday’s racing – Great draw, lovely light weight, talented rider – he is a strong each way chance in this – TAB says “has shown enough ability in the past to take this out” – No Odds posted yet
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Matamata Trackwork – Fortuna runners
Thursday 8th August
Matamata
Malborough Bay (D Montes de Oca), worked over 800 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.01.2, home in 46.2.
Star Shadow (T Melvin) worked over 800 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.01.0, home in 45.0
Cranbourne Trackwork – Fortuna runners
Bellatrix Star (L Winks) worked over 1000 metres in 1.12.2, home in 41.6.
Singapore Trackwork
Saturday 3rd August
ELLIOT NESS(AWAH)1000/600-39; KNIPPENBERG(ASLAM)800/600-40
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OTHER NEWS
Jumps racing in NZ under review
Full story below – this has been rumbling around for a while and clearly this consultation process is all about gaining feedback from racing people across the board and then determining a way forward – as readers would know, Fortuna and Te Akau are big supporters of jumps racing and we would regards it as a tragedy if jumps racing in NZ was to come to an end. We only have to look across the Tasman at Victoria, where there is a vibrant jumping programme and a passionate group of participants supporting it, including leading Trainers like Ciarin Maher, the Hayes brothers and a host of specialist jumping trainers. Any member of the public can make a submission – click HERE to see the discussion document. The Fortuna submission will focus on some key points as follows
- The need to make significant investment into jumping events prizemoney to create additional incentive for those considering participating – after all, we have seen huge increases in prizemoney for flat racing, not to mention new races such as the NZ Kiwi – we mentioned in this column recently how one particular Group One race, the NZ Bonecrusher Stakes, a race we won twice with Melody Belle (2019 and 2021) has gone from $200k in those days to $1m in 2025, a fivefold increase. Clearly these initiatives are designed to create a more vibrant and interesting racing product, one that punters (and not just NZ based punters) and spectators want to get involved in. Jumps racing, given its 150 year record in NZ deserves a similar “investment mentality” to revitalise it. A clearly defined reinvestment programme with, say, a five year window, is needed urgently to encourage confidence and participation in the sector.
- Rider shortage – this is a significant issue with a lower number of NZ based riders available for wanting to participate – however this is not dissimilar to Victoria, who are now relying on a significant number of British/European riders to come to Victoria to ride (in what is the Northern Hemisphere off season for jumps racing – we could be doing the same here
- Infrastructure – with a smaller number of jumping venues on offer – investment into the jumping infrastructure of those venues that continue to host jumping events is critical
- Horse welfare – the rehoming program in New Zealand for horses retired from racing is already under significant pressure and will only be more so if jumps racing is abandoned, because it closes off an ongoing racing outlet for those horses whose flat racing career has come to an end – further significant investment into the jumps racing program would encourage more trainers and owners to extend the racing careers of their horses, allowing those horses to stay in training for a few more years, which has to be for the overall benefit of all parties, not least the horses themselves.
So, if you, like I, feel strongly about this issue, then please take the time to make a submission – every submission will carry weight I can assure you of that
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NZTR to Consult on Future of Jumps Racing
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has today (August 5) released a consultation document to aid in deciding the future of jumps racing in New Zealand.
The consultation, which will run through to September 6, presents two main options for the future of jumps racing: continuation with a dedicated strategy and additional investment, or a managed wind-down leading to eventual closure.
Bruce Sharrock, NZTR Chief Executive Officer, has asked those involved in jumps racing to carefully consider the document and provide feedback with their preferred option.
“Jumps racing in New Zealand is at a crossroads and as an industry we now need to decide what path we should take. Unfortunately, the economic reality means doing nothing is not an option,” said Sharrock.
“We are asking participants to carefully read the document, understand the situation we’re currently facing, and ultimately provide feedback on their preferred option.
”The consultation document outlines the work that has been done to arrest the decline in the participation of jumps racing as well as the broader contribution jumps racing makes to the thoroughbred racing industry.
A number of reasons for the need to consult are laid out, supported by statistical analysis.
These include;
Decline in Jumps Racing Participation and Races:
● The number of jumps races in New Zealand has decreased from 122 in FY10 to just 61 in FY24. This decline mirrors a reduction in the participant base.
Wagering Statistics:
● In the 2022/2023 season, the average turnover for flat races was $162k, significantly higher than the $91k average for jumps races. This disparity highlights a major challenge in the sustainability of jumps racing.
Decline in Community Participation:
● The number of trainers participating in jumps racing has dropped from 146 in FY10 to just 54 in FY23. Similarly, the number of jockeys has halved over the same period. Only 22 jockeys were involved in FY23.
Challenges in Jumps Racing Infrastructure:
● An audit revealed that the infrastructure supporting jumps racing is, at best, average. Riccarton Park remains the only South Island venue for jumps races.
Sharrock emphasised that no decision will be made until 31 October 2024 and called for those responding to the consultation to give feedback on whether there were aspects of jumps racing that the document had not considered.
“We encourage all participants and stakeholders to have their say. In particular, we would like to understand if their level of investment or participation is likely to change over the next 12 – 24 months and whether those participants would consider involvement with a dedicated investment strategy,” said Sharrock.
“At this stage this is purely a consultation, and no decision has been made. Once the consultation closes, NZTR will spend some time analysing the responses and further working groups will take place before a final decision is made by 31 October 2024.”
Those interested in responding to the consultation can download and review the consultation document here.
Feedback needs to be submitted by September 6, 2024.
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Leaderboard runs 3rd in Grand National Hurdle in Victoria – Grand National Steeples is next
Leaderboard has had a marvelous jumps campaign in Victoria in 2024 to date in what is his first full season at the jumping game. Six starts over fences have seen him win twice (once over hurdles and once over steeples) run two 2nds and a 3rd in three hurdles races (including the Australian Hurdles and the Grand National) and a 3rd in another high quality Steeples race (the Thackeray at Warrnambool). He is proving adept at both Hurdles and Steeples, but we are inclined to think that the big fences will prove to be his forte – he will get the chance to prove that with his next start being the Grand National Steeples at Ballarat on 25th August over 4200m, where he will meet the creme de creme of Australasian jumps participants. In other news, he will head back to NZ 28th August in order to have a nice spell at Te Akau Stud, but first, he will have one more race, that being the Great Northern Steeples (6500m) at Te Rapa 15th September – this will be a big thrill for his connections, the great majority of whom have had to watch his Aus exploits from this side of the Tasman. “Tiger” is a well loved horse, with a great flat record in NZ also, including wins in the Wellington Cup and the NZ St Leger and a 3rd and a 5th in two NZ Cups
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Vale Peter Joyce and Peter Hamling
Sad news last week with the passing of the Fortuna and Te Akau stalwart Peter Joyce – Peter had shares in 14 Fortuna horses at the time of his passing, including Leaderboard and also had shares in several Te Akau syndicated horses, the most notable being the multiple Group race winner, Campionessa. Peter, aged 85, had not enjoyed the best of health in recent years, but he never let that get him down, attending every race meeting he could, including some in Australia. Peter, whose first wife, Lorna, had passed away some years ago, had married Noeleen in recent years and they made a great couple. A great family man, Peter was the father of five children, including the former National Party Minister, Steven Joyce, a grandfather of 10 and a great grandfather of 4.
A couple of weeks earlier, we had seen the passing of another Peter (this one Peter Hamling) – Peter, along with his wife Irene, had shares in several Fortuna runners, including Leaderboard. Peter was 84 at the time of his death and was a Dad and a Grand Dad. Like Peter Joyce, he hailed from Taranaki and in his younger days, he was a raceday photographer and maintained a strong interest in photography until the end
I am sure that all readers of this newsletter will join with me in extending deepest sympathies to the Joyce and Hamling families
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Guest Selector – Des CoppinsHi John and the Fortuna Team
Firstly congratulations on Leaderboard’s brave third in the Grand National in Melbourne last week. He continues to do you and your syndicate proud.If Leaderboard was human he’d be Hayden Wilde, tough as teak from top to bottom, just like our super triathlete. I’m sure there’s another win in him before the winter season ends.
Speaking of winning it was good to see Donnybrook get up for us last week at Riccarton. The $6 price on the morning didn’t last long did it?Another suggested bet 7 days ago, Makabar, at $12 on the TAB surge button, was game in running second and in a couple more strides may well have won!
Let’s now look at this weekend.
I really think that the form should hold up on the last day at Riccarton despite rain falling on and off some 48 hours prior to the race day.
It should be a favourites day.
I’m going to suggest a multi to give us odds of better than 20 to one, Jestin Case ($4.2) into Mr Twinkletoes ( $4.8).
They are in races 5 and 8 respectively.
As you know I’ve been on Jestin Case’s page ( our third nominee from last weeks column) a few times and her record stacks up well but dodging trouble has never been easy for her.
The run on the first day saw her doing things wrong at the start by way of a sluggish beginning but overall she was the quickest to the line over the last 200m. She’s as fit as hands can make her.
The run of Mr Twinkletoes on the first day was also good enough to suggest he will go close in race 8.
He appeared to have every chance last week but he is sure to improve with the run.
I think most of you will agree that Mr T’s trainer is one of the best in all aspects of horsemanship. She had a lot to do as a conditioner and owner of the champion jumper Tallyho Twinkletoe the winner of both Grand Nationals on the track a season or three ago.
Young Amber Riddell replaces the injured Lisa Allpress and the 4kgs allowance is a huge assist. Amber know the horse and in fact rode him in a trial at Foxton not that long ago.
Te Atatu Dream, r10 Te Rapa
The above broke its maiden status on this track in May on a heavy 8.
I see the Wexford team, who it must be said seem to have as good a strike rate as any at Te Rapa, have applied the blinkers for the first time. She unwound solidly last time here to register the quickest last 400 and 200. The blinkers may well assist in her keeping closer to the pace. She’s at double figure odds and I’ll be having a little each way.
Melbourne Cup:
Ps just a reminder that our popular Melbourne Cup tour with almost 80 on board closes off within the next week.
Feel free to email me at dcoppins@xtra.co.nz and I’ll be happy to pass your name onto our experienced travel broker Kel Munro for complete details if you’d like enjoy a great bunch of like minded people.
Des
Fortuna Friday Flash – 2nd August 2024
MITRE PEAK – 2nd career win – Riccarton 12th July – Niranjan Parmar aboard
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Headline News
Te Akau Racing secure another Trainers Premiership
TAB Turnover figures staying strong
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Fortuna has two runners on Sunday, one at Sandown and one in Singapore
Sandown
LEADERBOARD contests the prestigious Grand National Hurdles over 4200m event for A$300k – Race 4 @ 2.15pm Aus time (4.15pm NZT) with Aaron Kuru to ride. Five jumps races to date in Victoria, in his first full season as a jumper, have yielded a 2nd, a Win, a 2nd, a Win and a 3rd – back to the Hurdles here after two previous runs over the big fences, but gets to run over 4200m which will suit perfectly – rock hard fit, his trackwork has been very good – is ready for this -TAB says “Continues to make headway – top chance”” – Showing $6/$2 and is 5th fave
Singapore
ROCKY races in the Class 4 1200m Turf event – Race 10 @ 5pm Sing time (9pm NZT) with Calos Henrique to ride from Barrier 6 – not seen on race day since January – is resuming after a long lay off due to knee surgery – has been working well and trialed nicely recently – resuming at a trip short of his best but has placed when fresh previously, we are looking to see him run home strongly – TAB says “Has claims on best form” – No Odds posted yet
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Matamata Trackwork – Fortuna runners
Thursday 1st August
Court Of Appeal (C Grylls) worked over 800 metres in 55.5, home in 40.6.
Singapore Trackwork
Saturday 27th July
ELLIOT NESS(AWAH)1000/600-39
Tuesday 30th July
ELLIOT NESS(AWAH)1000/600-39
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OTHER NEWS
Te Akau Racing secure another Trainers Premiership
The champagne corks were popping at headquarters Te Akau on Tuesday with the stable recording another Premiership win with 169 winners for the 2023/34. This premiership win was notable for the fact that it was recorded by the new training partnership of Mark Walker and Sam Bergeson which came into affect on the 1st of August 2023. What a great thrill that must be for Sam to win a training premiership in his very first year as a registered trainer. For Mark Walker this was his seventh New Zealand premiership with the previous six being recorded in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2023 and in the years between 2010 and 2023, Mark recorded four Singapore Premierships in his time there, this giving him a career total of 11 Premierships altogether. Notable that the record for New Zealand training premierships is held by Graham Rogerson at 11 and so Mark has equaled that number of winning premierships, but over two different jurisdictions
For Te Akau Racing, as well as recording the seven premierships mentioned above, they also enjoyed further three premierships, when the now Hong Kong based Jamie Richards was at the helm, making 10 NZ Premierships in total for the stable. Looking back in history Dave O’Sullivan recorded nine premiership wins, eight of those in partnership with his son Paul and you have to go back to the 1930s for further comparison, with Tommy George winning nine premierships between 1931 and 1942, although Bill and Graham Sanders had a great run with five successive premiership wins in the 1973 to 1977 seasons
It is also worth mentioning that as well as 169 wins recorded by the New Zealand stable the Te Akau Cranbourne stable, with Mark Walker at the helm as sole trainer, recorded an additional 24 wins which is quite remarkable in itself, given that they only had 20 boxes during the season and also notable that Mark’s strike rate in Victoria was over 21% putting him in second place behind Sam and Anthony Freedman on strike rate. I am sure that Mark would be giving his Cranbourne based assistant Trainer, Ben Gleeson, a lot of credit for this success
TAB Turnover figures staying strong
Thoroughbred turnover for June was up 32% on June 2023, Harness and Dog figures a bit soft, Sports betting up 17% on June 2023 (Warriors are a key factor here we think) and active Racing customers are up 13.7% year on year
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Guest Selector – Des Coppins
Greetings John and the Fortuna Team
In punting at this time of the year most of us have a clear understanding that heavy tracks vary from one track to another.
Indeed it’s not always a case that a horse that handles a heavy 10 with more water around comprehensively on one track will repeat the dose on another track that also reads 10 but on a surface that’s lacking moisture and maybe even glue-like! Inconsistent winter form is something we’ve always had to live with.
For what’s it’s worth I’d much prefer to see a horse I’ve had a bet on running on a track that’s been rained on right up until race time, rather than one hasn’t had rain for a couple of days and is holding.
Sadly that doesn’t always transpire and that’s why we have to utilise all the form avenues we can get our hands on to try and maintain some consistency on the punt especially at this time of the year.
Study and more study is the key for me and noting rain measurements close to start time.
While we all run into a brick wall and we don’t always get it right on these tricky tracks whether there’s rain or no rain it’s worth a fist pump when we do and on that note it’s very pleasing to see the email selections firing this week like the suggested long odds value bet to run top 4, Five Bells, obliging. ( It was a 30 to one chance at Otaki on Saturday).
We also had nose defeat by 21 to one value tip, Hokitika Bell at Waverley on Sunday ( jockey slightly stopped riding when it lay in) and on Wednesday the value bet at Tauranga Divine Essence (12 to one)thankfully had a last stride win to give us a decent windfall.
I appreciate the positive feedback from the Fortuna clients who have signed up with my email tipping service.
Let’s hope the run continues.
With the new season now under way and the real likelihood of improving tracks it’s a good time to come on board as a subscriber for the top tier tips for every race and a best and value bet on each NZ race day before 9am.
Simply email me for relevant details as soon as you can to
dcoppins@xtra.co.nz and the sub of $240 ( gst inclusive) takes you right up until October 31 ( 3 months) equating to approximately $3.50 per race day.
I’ve focussed on the Grand National carnival for my three to keep an eye on this Saturday.
( From last week incidentally I’d be sticking with Oppenheimer. He didn’t get all favours at the start at Te Rapa and he looks promising).
Donnybrook, r7 and r9.
Donnybrook is engaged in two races.
I’m hoping he runs in the Winter Cup. He’s the first off the ballot.
I backed it when the markets came out almost one month ago.
He’s an up and comer and has been judiciously placed.
He’s reasonably fresh and goes well in this state.
His run last month at Hastings under 59kgs in lower class was enormous.
He’s also in race 7.
Jestin Case r8
She’s another promising type who doesn’t know how to run a bad race.
She should’ve won two starts ago and unfortunately she has a bad habit of doing things wrong at the start.
A feature of her races is always her ability to attack the line nonetheless.
She’s poised to win again.
Makabar, race 4
He was victorious at the winter carnival twice last year carrying 60kgs in the rating 75 and winning this very race with 54kgs, exactly the same weight again!!
He’s a tough customer and his run last time was convincing enough to suggest win number 10 is on the cards.
Good punting!
Des
Friday Flash – 26th July 2024
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Friday Flash – 19th July 2024
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MITRE PEAK wins again at Riccarton – 12th July 2024
Stepping in the right direction, Mitre Peak (3 f More Than Ready – Liten Prinsessa, by Bernardini) produced a big effort to win the $22,000 3YO 1400 metres on 12 July at Riccarton. Having won the Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $26,000 bonuses) on 31 May and finishing close third in the 3YO 1400 metres on 13 June, both on the poly track at Riccarton, Mitre Peak brought the right form amongst similar company to rate a top three chance.
Continuing her fine association with Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar, who leads his peers in the apprentice premiership, Mitre Peak was content to lope along at the rear (seven lengths 600m), presented to the outside on straightening and let down with raking strides in a well timed finish to snare victory. In beating strongly supported Motiontime (Showtime), who had won four races, the performance by Mitre Peak was in keeping with the good progress she had made since recently winning her Maiden. Running 1400 metres in 1:24.0 on the poly track, in the race sponsored by Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap, Mitre Peak returned $6.30 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.
Click HERE to see the race replay
For the Te Akau South Island stable at Riccarton, managed throughout the season by Hunter Durrant and Ashley Handley, Mitre Peak became the 62nd win from the Riccarton base, among a total of 168 for premiership leading trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson.
Co -Trainer Mark Walker was on track at Riccarton to watch his charge’s inpressive win “She looked terrific in the coat and it was a really good run to win, so well done to Ashley and Hunter,” he said. “They’re two highly accomplished horse people, totally dedicated and professional and we’re very fortunate to have them on staff. They’ve helped manage the horses and staff for Sam and I in the South Island and it’s all worked well to have that many wins from the stable there this season. Well done to John Galvin and his owners – they have allowed us to be patient with this filly and she’s now starting to string together some good performances. It was a really good win today because she stuck her neck out and tried very hard.”
MITRE PEAK – 2nd career win – Riccarton 12th July – Niranjan Parmar aboard
Fortuna Director John Galvin watched the race on Trackside from his Hamilton home. “My heart went into my mouth when she was slowly away,” he said. “She seemed to travel well and on the corner I thought she was a chance to run in the money, but she really motored home down the straight and she had me well and truly up and out my chair that last 200m – she showed a great turn of foot – very pleasing as she’s beaten a good field – and a lovely ride by Parmar – he didn’t panic when she was tardy away and he was really vigorous on her at the business end of the race. We don’t think Mitre Peak is the full deal yet, because she still has quite a bit of furnishing to go. So for her to win a couple of races, as she’s done this time in, is very satisfying. It was reported to us that her work had been good leading up to the race, we couldn’t fault her, but there were a couple more favoured in betting that appeared quite hard to beat. We were confident that she was going to run well, but not completely convinced that she was going to beat the others. But in the end she did – so a great training effort by Mark and Sam, ably assisted at Riccaron by Hunter and Ashley”
From the last crop of world renowned sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo), with over 2000 winners, Mitre Peak is from Liten Prinsessa, by another worldwide acclaimed sire Bernardini (A. P. Indy).
Liten Prinsessa, winner of four races to 1400 metres in Australia, is a sister to Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) winner and Champion Two-Year-Old Ruud Awakening, now the dam of Group Three winner Rise Of The Masses (Russian Revolution).
Mitre Peak was purchased for A$60,000 by David Ellis CNZM/Fortuna Racing at Inglis 2022 Classic Yearling Sale in Sydney.
Mitre Peak is raced by the Fortuna Mitre Peak Syndicate, an Ownership Group consisting of 53 individuals, mostly from NZ but with one syndicate Member from Australia
She was strapped by Naomi Warrender
Friday Flash – 12th July 2024
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