Friday Flash 11th March

Headline News; 2 nice yearlings acquired at Karaka this week – 1 Colt, 1 Filly – see more below

Fortuna has six runners this week, one in NZ on Saturday and five in Singapore on Sunday

New Zealand

Madame Moet races at Counties Saturday – she contests the R65n 1400m event – Race 7 @ 4.13pm. Drawn nicely at barrier 6, she gets the services of Michael McNab. Freshened since her impressive Maiden win at Matamata late January, and a strong trial performance since, she is in contention here. She is a Mare who has shown she prefers some sting out of the track, but is she copes with what will be a firm track Saturday, she is a good each way chance
 

Singapore

Olympia is in the Class 5 1100m Poly – Race 1 @ 5pm NZT and will be ridden by CC Wong from barrier 7 in a 12 horse field. Has had 2 starts in the Fortuna Silks for a 3^rd and a 2^nd. Been working well, has a reasonable draw and a very good rider. Good each way chance

Here is what the STC Tipsters have to say about this race;

1st Pick: GOLDEN DASH (4)
Typical Argentinian-bred who loves the all-weather. Won with something in hand at his last start when the blinkers came off. Will be hard to catch if he gets his own way in front again, but has drawn off the track this time. Stiffer task but not without claims for a double dose.
2nd Pick: LIM’S UNIQUE (5)
Always thereabouts these days. Working well on the training tracks. Nice low draw. Will give the selection a run for his money.
3rd Pick: OLYMPIA (10)
Been knocking on the door. Gives the impression he would be more effective over a longer trip. Include in calculations.
4th Pick: RESURGENCE (7)
First-up and may need the run and more ground. Will probably drop back from the wide alley. If they roll along, he may sneak into the minors.

DECEPTION contests the Restricted Maiden 1200 Turf – Race 2 @ 5.30pm NZT. Four race day starts for 2 thirds and 2 seconds, this high quality son of I Am Invincible is knocking on the door. Drawn mid field with CC Wong in the saddle, he is back in trip with blinkers on and plan is to ride him conservatively and let him finish strong. Has a lot of class about him and is a strong each way chance here

Here is what the STC Tipsters have to say about this race;

1st Pick: DECEPTION (3)
Four placings in as many starts. Won’t be long before he breaks his duck and Sunday could see him do that. Pinched ground off the smart Alqantur last time out. Blinkers on. Horse to beat.
2nd Pick: STREET OF DREAMS (11)
Powerful big-striding colt who registered two barrier trial wins by a margin. Has drawn an alley. Seems versatile enough – can lead or take a drop. Go close.
3rd Pick: EALAMI (8)
Won narrowly at his two barrier trials but ran time on both occasions. May be inexperienced but looks like a horse who doesn’t fret at taking gaps. Forward run expected on debut even if the awkward alley throws a dampener.
4th Pick: SUNSET (4)
Resuming. Showed some potential at first prep. Not fully tested at his second barrier trial but still held his ground nicely for third. Blinkers and shadow roll off. Has drawn off the track but still bears watching.

Hidden Promise contests the Class 5 1600 Poly – Race 8 @ 8.30 NZT with CC Wong in the saddle – a 3rd placing at 1200m and a 2^nd placing at 1400m last two starts indicate that this spritely 9yo will relish the 1600m trip, a distance that he has won at 6 times in his career. Beautifully drawn in barrier 2 and just 53.5kgs to carry, he is a good chance of making it career win No 8 here

Hadeer is in the Class 3 1200 Turf – Race 9 at 9pm NZT with Aus expat rider Jake Bayliss taking the mount for the first time. Disappointed somewhat last start, but previous form had been good. Has won four times in Singapore including a win in this grade – likes to be on speed and gets a good gate here to take advantage of that. Represents a good each way chance here

Here is what the STC Tipsters have to say about this race;

1st Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (8)
Low-flying at the moment winning his races in dominant style. Trialled nicely for this after being scratched with hoof issue a few weeks back. Manoel Nunes sticks and looks the danger.
2nd Pick: HADEER (2)
Not much luck last start in a hot speed race and failed to finish off after burning early. Senior jockey jumps on and with the right run can be there in the finish.
3rd Pick: MOONGATE STAR (5)
First-up since November last year and had a few trials to have him fit for his. Oscar Chavez rides and could be a danger fresh.
4th Pick: BE BEE (4)
Impressive winner two starts ago and makes the switch back to the turf. Has a great record over the course and distance and is a multiple group winner in his younger days.

BRUTUS races in the Class 4 1200 Turf, Race 11 @ 10pm, he will be ridden from barrier 12 by Singapore’s leading rider, Manoel Nunes – this classy son of Rubick has won 4 times in Singapore and has run 1^st or 2^nd 6 times in his last 7 starts, but has not been able to get a decent barrier draw for a while, but if Nunes can get him away to a flier, he can certainly feature here

Here is what the STC Tipsters have to say about this race;

1st Pick: BRUTUS (2)
Gets the services of our leading jockey Manoel Nunes and has very strong form figures for here. Can be adaptable in the run and if he gets luck from a wide barrier will be there in the finish.
2nd Pick: WAR PRIDE (3)
Consistently running into the placings at his last four starts and Oscar Chavez returns from suspension. Just missed last start and with a similar run can be dangerous in this race.
3rd Pick: CHAMPAGNE FINALE (8)
Has not been seen since middle of November when finishing seventh. Goes well in the grade and loves a wet track. Keep an eye on the weather leading into this.
4th Pick: STENMARK (5)
Although drawn wide needs to be kept safe with a lot of form coming out of his races. If Jake Bayliss can plot a course from a wide gate his best can have him in the multiples.

Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday 8th March

Madame Moet (S Pillay) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.05.7, home in 37.

Thursday 10th March

Leaderboard (R Khan) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.31, last 600 46.

Madame Moet (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.10.4, home in 40.1.

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Tuesday 8th March

Olympia (Saimee) – 1000/600 40; Brutus (Nunes) – 1000/600 37; Hadeer (Jake Bayliss) – 1000/600 40; Deception (CC Wong) – C, 800/600 38; Hidden Promise (CC Wong) – C, 1000/600 39; Kermajack (Jerlyn) with Tightwad (Jamil) – 600 42

Other News

Fortuna Acquires Two Yearlings at Karaka

Day One of the sale saw us strike relatively early acquiring Lot 85  – the Merchant Navy – Anchovy Colt. Given a B + by the “brains trust” of David Ellis, Jamie Richards, Mark Walker, Joe Walls and Marcus Corban, the team described this Colt, who was offered by Cambridge Stud, as a real “ get up and go 2yo type” who could be a genuine contender to make the 2023 Karaka Million. Not having had a runner in the KM since Melody Belle won in 2017, I was keen to acquire exactly this type of horse, subject to budget. Budget was $80k and he was knocked down to us for $60k, so a good outcome – he is a lovely walking Colt with a very nice pedigree page, with the dam sire being the mighty Galileo and from a  very strong UK/Irish family. Read more about “Salty” below.

Fortuna acquires a Merchant Navy Colt from the NZ Bloodstock Yearling Sale – A definite “Karaka Million” Type

Lot 85 – the Yearling Colt by the Emerging Stallion MERCHANT NAVY out of ANCHOVY (By Galileo) has been acquired by the David Ellis/Fortuna Racing combination

Given the stable name “Salty” he will now spell at Te Akau Stud in the Waikato ahead of being broken in and will then be prepared for racing in New Zealand by nine time Premiership winning Trainer, Mark Walker of Te Akau Racing Stables at Matamata.

David Ellis comments about this Colt “Merchant Navy was a great racehorse and is an exciting young stallion and this Colt looks to have many of his attributes. On the dam side, he is out of a Galileo mare, out of a Storm Cat mare, and Kingmambo mare and you can’t get better international blood than that – he is closely related to two European Champions, DUKE OF MARMALADE and RULER OF THE WORLD, both who have gone on to be very good Stallions at Stud – This Colt looks like he’s going to be an early Two Year Old runner, I gave him a B + when assessing him and is particularly good buying at the price we secured him for.”

Click HERE to listen to the Te Akau and Fortuna Trainer Mark Walker, talk about this high quality Colt

This Colt will be syndicated by Fortuna to its clients and the general public – Syndicate paperwork still being prepared but shares will be available down to 1% and we are taking expressions of interest NOW  – $11,000 per 10% share, $5,500 per 5% share, $2,750 per 2.5 share, $1,100 per 1% share all inclusive of GST, Fees, Karaka Million Fee, Insurance to 31 Jan 2023 and working capital

Ongoing costs start 1 June 2022 at $40 per month per each 1% share

Click HERE to see the Sales Page for this Colt, including a parade clip – he has been given the Stable Name “SALTY”

Click to see Pedigree  Pedigree

Contact John Galvin HERE to express interest

We then patiently waited for the first day of Book 2 on Thursday, as we had identified Lot 775, a Reliable Man grey Filly out of a winning Encosta De Lago Mare, as a genuine Oaks type staying filly and these are the sorts of fillies we like to buy. As always, Fortuna buys to budget and for this Filly we had set a budget of $50k but did feel she may make less, given that it was Book 2 and much of the International buying bench had filled their orders from Book 1 – and so it proved with this Filly getting knocked down to us for $35k – exceptional value here.
Read more about “Grace” below

Fortuna acquires a Reliable Man Filly from the NZ Bloodstock Yearling Sale

Lot 775 – the Yearling Filly by the proven Sire of  RELIABLE MAN out of CONFERRE (By Encosta De Lago) has been acquired by the David Ellis/Fortuna Racing combination

Given the stable name “Grace”, she will now spell at Te Akau Stud in the Waikato ahead of being broken in and will then be prepared for racing in New Zealand by nine time Premiership winning Trainer, Mark Walker of Te Akau Racing Stables at Matamata
Mark Walker  comments about this Filly “This lovely Grey Filly is well grown, very athletic, looks to be a genuine Staying type – an Oaks type filly for sure – her pedigree page matches her type, being by the veteran Sire of so many good stayers, Reliable Man and out of an Encosta De Lago mare who won 4 times in Australia up to 2400m – this girl is bred to stay and is superb value at the price we got her for. I can’t wait to get her into my Stable”

Click HERE to listen to the Te Akau and Fortuna Trainer Mark Walker, talk about this lovely Filly

This Filly will be syndicated by Fortuna to its clients and the general public – Syndicate paperwork still being prepared but shares will be available down to 1% and we are taking expressions of interest NOW  – $8,000 per 10% share, $4,000 per 5% share, $2,000 per 2.5 share, $800 per 1% share all inclusive of GST, Fees, Karaka Million Fee, Insurance to 31 Jan 2023 and working capital.

Ongoing costs start 1 June 2022 at $40 per month per each 1% share

Click HERE to see the Sales Page for this Filly including a parade clip – she has been given the Stable Name “Grace”

Click to see Pedigree–

Contact John Galvin HERE to express interest

Paperwork is still being finalised for both of these lovely yearlings, but we are taking expressions of interest  on both horses  HERE or call/text John direct 021 921 460

Other Opportunities

Most New Zealand racing fans love Stayers and harbour dreams of having a contender in one of the big “Cups” races, be it the NZ Cup, Wellington Cup or Auckland Cup. If that is you, now here is your chance to take a share in a “ready made” Cups staying type. We have acquired the UK bred 6yo MILESTONE, a genuine staying type on pedigree and a winner at distance in France and Victoria, from his Melbourne based owners – he has been transported to NZ and will be aimed at those “big three” Cups events in the coming season – read all about Milestone on the Fortuna website HERE – Shares available at $800 per each 1% and $40 per month from 1 April

We have also acquired an outstanding Yearling Filly, from the last crop of the most successful Stallion the racing world has ever seen, MORE THAN READY – picked out of the recent Inglis Classic Sale by Mark Walker, this Filly, out of a four time winning Bernadini Mare, represents excellent value at $1200 for each 1% share and $40 per month from 1 April – Read all about “MTR” HERE  Only a few shares left, so be quick if this one appeals

Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival – United Kingdom

For jumps racing fans this festival is the highlight of the year – Jumps Racing is hugely popular in the UK and Ireland and the Irish have dominated the Festival in recent years – and this year, based on form, look to do so again. Interestingly enough the Irish eight year old Gelding “GALVIN” is one of the favourites for the feature, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, run – see some info below about this great race

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious contest in jump racing and has been won by some of the greatest horses in the history of the sport. The Grade 1 chase provides the highlight of the four-day Cheltenham Festival and, with prize-money of £625,000, is the most valuable jumps race in Britain and Ireland after the Grand National. The Gold Cup represents the ultimate challenge for the very best staying chasers, with 22 fences to be jumped during the relentless three miles and two and a half furlongs, and a punishing finish up the famous Cheltenham hill. Among the greats to have won the race are Golden Miller, Mill House, Arkle, Best Mate and Kauto Star.

Galvin, trained by Gordon Elliot, is the winner of 7 from 12 over the big fences. Click HERE to see him winning at the 2021 Festival

The carnival is run over consecutive days, commencing Tuesday 15^th March and ending Friday 18^th with the Gold Cup run on the last day