Headline News;
Magic Millions announce major prizemoney and programme enhancements to their race day Carnival from 2024
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Fortuna has two runners this week, both in New Zealand
SOPRANO SUPREME contests the Rating 87 1600 at Tauranga today – Race 8 @ 4.35pm and will be ridden by Michael McNab on what will be a testing track. A fast finishing 3rd in the Manawatu Cup in December had Soprano on track to race in the Karaka Stayers Cup at Pukekohe 21st January. However she has done so well since her last start that Mark Walker decided she should have a lead up run over a shorter trip ahead of that race. May well be too short for her today, but she will be rattling home at the finish and is a chance of a top 3 finish
RUBICON CROSSING runs in the (Listed) Wellesley Stakes over 1100m at Trentham on Saturday 14th – Race 3 @ 1.47 and will be ridden by Craig Grylls from the outside draw in a field of eight runners. She ran a bold 2ndin a similar event. Meets a smart field of 2yos here and will need some luck from the draw, but has the gate speed to cross and can take a sit if need be. Represents a good top 3 chance here
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Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 10th January
Navalha (T Harris) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.08.2, home in 37.7.
Wednesday 11th January
Rubicon Crossing (H Durrant) galloped over an easy 1000 metres, final 600 in 41.2.
Fortuna Track work – Singapore
Saturday 7th Jan
Elliot Ness (Jerlyn) – 800/600 40; Trident (Jamil) – 1000/600 40;
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Other News
Magic Millions announce major prizemoney and programme enhancements to their race day Carnival from 2024
As readers are no doubt aware, The Magic Millions race day run in the middle of January (14th Jan this year) features a complete card of races for which only horses acquired at the Magic Million Yearling sales are eligible. The Magic Millions Raceday, already the only raceday in the Southern Hemisphere to stage eight million-dollar plus races on one card, will receive additional funds beginning next year. This raceday started seven years ago with A$10 in prizemoney and in 2023 Raceday prizemoney has increased to $11.75 million
In a major press release Monday 9th Jan the following announcements were made
- 2024 – Total Magic Millions Raceday prizemoney will increase to $14.25 million.
- 2024 – Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas prizemoney increasing to $3 million each.
- 2024 – The new $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000 metres) to be run on the Gold Coast during the Magic Millions National Sale in May.
- 2025 – The introduction of Friday night racing will include a new $3 million slot race exclusively for 3-year-old sprinters over 1100 metres, to be held the night before the renowned raceday.
The full Press Release can be seen HERE
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Guest Selector – Andrew Castles
Butch made it two from three with Bruno Magile winning the last at Kumara last Saturday, aided by a clever ride from Lily Sutherland and paying $4.80 on the tote
Here is what Butch selects for us this week
“Dear John and Team – this week I am, unfortunately, taking on a Fortuna runner at Trentham. I think Codigo (race three number one) is a very smart two year old and can make it two from two on Saturday. His debut win from a wide gate at Matamata was very good when narrowly beating the talented Filly, She Turns Heads – they ran nearly 1 second quicker than the other two-year-old race on the card. Aided by the ace draw. I expect this classy son of Ardrossan to be too quick for what is a tidy field. The $2.80 on offer will run through my multiples. Best of luck. Butch”
