READY FORTUNE’s very patient ownership group were rewarded for their patience at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse on Friday night when their charge scored a nail biting dead heat win in the Class 5 event over 1600 metres on the Polytrack on 18th July. Prior to the race, 4yo READY FORTUNE (More Than Ready-Bahira), had faced the starter 22 times, with sixteen prizemoney winning placings, including five seconds. While sent out the favourite, BASIL, as the horse is nicknamed, did have the top weight and a wide barrier draw to overcome from the tricky 1600 metre start. Indeed, with 100 metres to go in the event, it looked for all money as if READY FORTUNE was going to run 2nd again as the Laurie Laxon trained FOREIGN EXCHANGE headed him. However  with his characteristic strong finish, READY FORTUNE clawed back over the concluding stages and two strides short of the line, looked to have mastered his rival, but in a compelling heads up, head down finish, the judge could not separate the two. Click HERE to see the race replay

“That was marvellous” said Fortuna Director, John Galvin, “he is as honest as the day is long, hardly ever runs a bad race and has been unlucky not to have won before this.”

Trained by expatriate New Zealand Trainer, Mark Walker, READY FORTUNE was ridden by Singapore’s leading jockey, Manuel Nunes.

READY FORTUNE was selected by David Ellis for Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndicators at the 2011 Karaka Yearling Sale and is raced by the Fortuna Ready Fortune Syndicate, an ownership group comprising 37 individuals

“Two out of three ain’t bad” according to the Meatloaf song, but three out of three is even better. And so it was at the Te Teko Trials August 5th with Fortuna presenting three of its runners and scoring a 100% success rate. Fortuna Director John Galvin, who was present, was understandably very pleased with his charges. “Well, it is always nice to have horses, that you believe are talented, to perform well on trials days, but what was special today was that all three won their trials with a stamp of authority.”

First away in an Open Trial over 1040 metres was the well performed 4yo SIR DARCI (Darci Brahma-Dominant). SIR DARCI is no stranger to success, having won three times as a 3yo, but has really strengthened and developed as he has transited to a 4yo. He finished off his trial under no pressure in the hands of Danielle Johnson.

SIR DARCI in birdcage Te Teko 5th August

Second away in a 3yo 1040 metre event was 3yo DARCI’S DREAM (Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby). Already a winner as a 2yo, DARCI’S DREAM has trained on nicely into her three year old year and went to the line strongly in the hands of Danielle Johnson, one and a quarter lengths clear.

DARCI’S DREAM strides clear Te Teko Trials 5th August

Last but not least was 3yo Gelding PRINCE HENRY (Henrythenavigator-Ocean of Tears) in a Maiden 3yo event. Not yet tried on raceday, PRINCE HENRY had shown ability as an Autumn 2yo running 2nd and 3rd in two trials. Spelled subsequently, this strong, scopey gelding was particularly impressive at Te Teko, winning his 800 metre trial with a lot in hand. Rider Matt Cameron was fulsome in his praise of the horse post trial.

PRINCE HENRY showing a clean pair of heels Te Teko 5th August 2014

NEW FORTUNA SYNDICATION OPPORTUNITY ABOUT TO BE LAUNCHED – 2yo FILLY BY DARCI BRAHMA

” I have yet to train a bad DARCI BRAHMA” says Fortuna NZ Trainer, Jason Bridgman, ” they have great temperaments and go particularly well fresh.”
Unquestionably DARCI BRAHMA is forging a great record as a young Sire, second only on the 2013 Stallion Premiership to the mighty O’REILLY. FORTUNA has had two DARCI BRAHMA progeny to the races to date, SIR DARCI and DARCI’S DREAM and both have been winners on the track. We also have two 3yo’s, DURAN and OUR DRAHMA QUEEN, who have yet to get to the races, but both have trialed impressively as 2yo’s. 

Recently we have been offered a strong, rangy 2yo Filly (turned Two on 1st August 2014) by DARCI BRAHMA out of BREEZED (by Fusaichi Pegasus); this makes her a full sister to our talented 3yo DURAN. The deal is not yet finalised as we are still undergoing due diligence on this filly with a full Vet Check and inspection by two valuers, but am bringing the opportunity to your attention as she is being offered at compelling value and I am sure that shares will go quickly. Her full brother DURAN trialed twice as a 2yo, November and March, running strong ends each time and is rated highly by the Te Akau Racing Stable staff. He is set to trial again at the Teko 26th August as a precursor to his racing debut. Our initial assessment of the filly is that she is a slightly larger and stronger type than DURAN was at the same age.

This filly has been broken in, has already had her initial stable preparation at Matamata, has spelled in the paddock for two months since the end of that initial prep and is about to commence her second prep at Matamata in the care of Jason Bridgman; this preparation will lead through to a trial or two and probably a race day debut in the early Autumn. As is typical of the Darci Brahma’s, we do not see her as a natural 2yo type, but will come into her own as a 3yo.

Subject to our due diligence process proving satisfactory, shares will be available in this lovely filly @$4600 per 5% share and $150 per month ongoing (commencing 1st October 2014). As always, larger shares will be available and we will also do 2.5% shares as well. Please let me know soonest if you have interest in becoming involved in this lovely filly. I don’t yet have an up to date picture of her, but will be taking fresh pictures later this week or early next week.

DURAN at Cambridge trials March 2014

MATT CAMERON TO BE CROWNED AS PREMIERSHIP WINNING JOCKEY

After a frustrating couple of years in which he finished a close runner up each time, Te Akau Racing and Fortuna Stable rider, Matthew Cameron, finally nailed the NZ Jockey Premiership, with a compelling victory riding 143 winners, well clear of his nearest rival, Jonathan Parkes. Matt rode 11 Group and Listed winners, including the Auckland Cup on Who Shot The Barman and had an overall winning strike rate of 6.05, a great effort. Matt is no stranger to being on the podium as he did win the Apprentice Jockey Premiership in 2005/06; he would credit two major steps to his success, firstly moving from the Central Districts to Cambridge after he completed his apprenticeship and secondly, his link to the powerful Te Akau Racing team in 2012 propelling his career forward, not to mention, of course, a fabulous work ethic and a willingness to learn and adapt to his craft.

Aged 27, Matt is fast approaching 800 career wins and could nudge through the magic 1000 win mark over the next couple of seasons. CongratulationsMatt and we look forward to you kicking home a lot of winners in the Fortuna colours in the coming season.

Matthew Cameron – Premiership winning jockey

UPCOMING RACING NEWS

Excitement and anticipation builds as the news season gets under way here in NZ. The three successful trialists at the Te Teko trials, SIR DARCI, DARCI’S DREAM and PRINCE HENRY will all get their racing seasons underway in the next three to four weeks. In the meantime 4yo Gelding HIGHLY LIKELY (High Chapparal), who won in June at his second start, has had a break, and is penciled in to resume in a Rating 65 1600 metre event at Woodville on 21st August. 4yo mare, SELINE (Pentire),  is back in work and will trial in September. 2yo fillies WINDBORNE (Darci Brahma) and LORDE* (Iffraaj) will trial at Te Teko on 26th August along with Singapore bound 3yo Gelding ROYAL ASCOT (Keeper) and 3yo Gelding DURAN (Darci Brahma). The 2yo Gelding BUTCH* (Darci Brahma)  is in his second stable prep while 2yo Filly EBONY* (Bachelor Duke) has recently returned to work following a spell after an initial stable preparation. Fellow 2yo Filly BELLA* (Savabeel) is spelling after completing an initial stable prep and 2yo Gelding JACK* (Sakhees Secret) has just commenced his breaking in process at Te Akau Stud. 3yo Filly OUR DRAHMA QUEEN (Darci Brahma) is battling a shoulder issue at the moment and is box spelling.

Note, horse names marked with * are stable names as they do not have official names yet.

In Singapore 4yo Gelding KING SAVINSKY (Savabeel) has completed his two mandatory trials, will have one more trial and then be ready to make his race day debut in Singapore, 3yo Filly SECRET SPICE (Sakhees Secret) trials Thursday 7th August after being spelled and will resume racing shortly. The recent winner, 6yo Gelding VON SNITZEL (Snitzel) races Friday 8th August while fellow recent winner, 5yo Gelding READY FORTUNE (More Than Ready) is enjoying a wee freshen. Meanwhile 6yo Gelding EATONS GOLD (Jetspur) and 4yo Gelding OUR RIVER DANCER (Danehill Dancer) are both having paddock spells in Malaysia following knee surgery.

All in all, the Fortuna team is shaping up nicely with a lot of depth and talent and we wish all of our owners the very best of good luck and fortune as the 2014/15 season unfolds.