Friday Flash – 13th March

Published 13 March 2020

Fortuna horses racing this week are – in Singapore, Federation – Race 5 Friday evening, and on Sunday Brutus – Race 2 and Sportscaster – Race 7 – and of course in Melbourne on Saturday, Star Mare, Melody Belle contests the world’s richest Mile race, the All Star Mile, for total prizemoney of A$5.5m

Federation ran a solid 3^rd this trip for first time at last start – better for that run, he is right in this race – he needs to run1st or 2^nd to be a contender for the S$400k Group 2 Stewards Cup Friday 27^th March – he is a good each way chance in this Friday’s race. John Powell retains the ride.

Brutus, with two thirds and two seconds from his four Singapore runs to date is a very good chance in his race – beaten a close 2^nd in Novice Grade last time and now back in Restricted maiden Grade, he has a slightly tricky draw to contend with (Barrier 8) over the 1000m trip, but we have elected to claim with the highly talented K Hakim to ride and claiming 4kgs – Can win and would be surprising if not in first 3

Sportscaster cannot take a trick – 2^nd last time over 1600m, we wanted to race him over 1800m last week – that race was cancelled due to insufficient entries, so we have elected to run over 1600m again – and he has drawn the outside barrier from the tricky 1600m start on the Poly track – Vlad Duric takes the mount. He is a chance in this but would need a lot of luck to go his way

Melody Belle, a 10 time Group One winner meets nine other Group One winners in a field of 15 runners in this wonderful race, she is absolutely primed for this, great trackwork on Tuesday with Opie Bosson saying she had never felt better, 2^nd up, a bit of give in the track, perfect draw at Barrier 5. She is in this boots and all – can win but is certainly a very strong each way chance.

Melody Belle with Opie Bosson aboard – Haunui Farms Otaki Mile – Group One – February 2019

Fortuna Trainer Jamie Richards is taking all before him at the moment – now ranked No 6 Trainer in the World by the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary international rankings, he was featured on both TV 1 and TV 3 news this week with respect to Melody Belle running in the All Star Mile this week – Click HERE to see the TV 1 News clip

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 10th March

Sand

Beau Geste (R.Cole) worked over 1200 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.25, home in 43.

Khafeef (C.Burdan) worked over an easy 800 metres, home in 40.

Burgundy Belle (S.Pillay) worked solo over an easy 800 metres in 57, home in 41.

Thursday 12th March

Plough

Beau Geste (M.Roustoby) worked over an easy 1200 metres in 1.24.6, home in 38.7.

Burgundy Belle (M.Roustoby) galloped over 800 metres, home in 36.2.

Leaderboard (O.Bosson) worked over 1000 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.13, home in 43.