Friday Flash – 12th March 2021
Fortuna has two runners in NZ Saturday March 13th and three runners in Singapore this Sunday March 14th
New Zealand
Melody Belle contests the Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie (race 7 – 4.10pm) – this is a Group 1 race over 2000m – disappointing in a similar race at Te Rapa 13th of February where she received no luck, the champion Mare has not missed a beat since – she trialed very well at Rotorua last week and her trackwork in the lead up to this race cannot be faulted – change of rider with Troy Harris to ride he is unbeaten on her in three Group 1 races to date – she meets stablemate Avantage in this race, the winner of four Group 1 races in succession since January 1 and is the current TAB favourite accordingly. At time of writing Melody Belle was showing $2.50 on TAB Fixed Odds – can win
Khafeef races in the rating 65 2100 event at Trentham (race eight 5:05 pm) – this is a second up run after resuming after a long break over 1600 m recently, where he ran a close-up seventh – has taken improvement from that run and now gets up to a trip where he has won before. Ashwin Mugdoo to ride claiming 3kg – not out of this in the slightest and presents as a good top four chance at good odds
Singapore
Hidden Promise races in the class five 1200 (race 1 at 5.30 pm) – had good form leading into his previous race in which he reared up at the barriers and lost all chance – not his ideal trip preferring to run over 1600m plus, however has put in some excellent performances when fresh at the shorter trips. Jerlyn Seow to ride claiming 4 kg – has a difficult barrier draw but if he gets luck in the running and there is a strong pace he will be running on at the end – can certainly run into the money
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race
1st Pick: GOLDEN DASH (6)
Has come on after three runs from rest. Competed against tougher grade a few starts back. Nice barrier. Leading pick.
2nd Pick: HIDDEN PROMISE (10)
Blew the start at his last outing. Jumped on terms in barrier test last week. Bad draw this time. Shadow roll, tongue-tie off, brow roll on. Place claims.
3rd Pick: PERFECT (7)
Scored impressive win last time out but on turf. Polytrack form not flash and he has drawn off the track. Tougher this time but a place is still on the cards.
4th Pick: BORN TO WIN (2)
All three wins were recorded on grass. May find this too sharp, but can still stake a claim here.
Showbound backs up from last week’s resuming run over 1100m in the same grade (Maiden) but up to 1200m (race 1 at 6pm) – yet to win in Singapore but always tries hard – Vlad Duric sticks – has a difficult draw to overcome but if he gets luck in the running can certainly run into the prizemoney placings
Marcus Antonius backs up in the Open Maiden 1200 event (race 4 at 7pm) – he raced this trip last week running on for fourth place, but meets a much weaker field this week – drawn perfectly at barrier one with Louis Beuzelin to ride again – he presents as a strong top three chance in this race and can win
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race
1st Pick: MASTER SOMMELIER (7)
Another customer with good toe. Will have to overcome wide barrier and extra 200m which may find him out late. Ready to uncork that first win.
2nd Pick: INTREPID (3)
Formerly known as Where She’s Happy and is having her first run for Tim Fitzsimmons. Reunites with Marc Lerner who rode her to second place in a 1700m Polytrack race three starts back. Winkers on. Big say.
3rd Pick: MARCUS ANTONIUS (9)
On the quick back-up following his fair fourth to the much superior Real Efecto last Saturday. Looks safely held by top selection, though.
4th Pick: WIND RHAPSODY (4)
Hasn’t set Kranji alight but showed significant improvement at last two starts over Polytrack mile. Forward run on the cards.
Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata
Tuesday 9th March
Melody Belle (T Harris) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.07.9, last 600 in 39.2.
Soprano Supreme (K Joyce) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 56, home in 40.4.
Charmaine’s Dream (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 58.8, home in 43.7
Thursday 11th March
Rhapsody In Blue (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.15, home in 46.
Charmaine’s Dream (T Harris) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 55, home in 41.1.
Ragamuffin (S Pillay) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 55, last 600 in 39.7.
Other News
Mohawk, our most recent acquisition, is a two-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice (Sire of the unbeaten Jamie Richards trained Palamos and Golden Slipper 2nd favourite Stay Inside) – now in work with Jamie Richards at Matamata and will be aimed to have his first NZ late April – Shares available – Read More HERE
