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