Headline News;
Fortuna secures a Charm Spirit Colt for Singapore Racing at the Inglis R2R Sale in Sydney
Jamie Richards scores his 1st Hong Kong winner with the former Fortuna owned Handsome Rebel
Fortuna has seven runners this weekend, three in NZ and four in Singapore
New Zealand – Saturday 15th
NAVALHA contests the R75 1400 at Ashburton – Race 10 @ 5.16pm – will be ridden by Jason Laking. A strong winner at Riccarton R65 1200 in September, he ran 4th R75 1200 1st Oct on a track that was softer than he would have liked. 1400m suits and will be hard to hold out if track conditions continue to firm
Singapore – Saturday 15th
DECEPTION runs in the Novice 1200m Turf event – Race 6 at 2.30 pm Singapore time (7.30pm NZT) – Simon Kok, claiming 1kg to ride from an outside draw. A talented galloper, he has had a frustrating run of bad luck in recent runs. Ridden upside down last time, he will be ridden more conservatively this time. Can feature in the top three here
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race;
1st Pick: EJAZ (8)
His two starts have been impressive with his last start victory really catching the eye. He comes into this with a lightweight and a small field is big advantage. He is an exciting youngster. Nunes on and jumps from barrier two.
2nd Pick: WINNING STRIDE (3)
Started his career in winning style on the Polytrack last start. Looks to be a nice horse who should work his way up the classes. Duric takes over the reins and will get plenty of support from that.
3rd Pick: MONTANA FLASH (1)
Scored an Open Maiden win two starts ago and was defeated by his stablemate Trident at his next run. Has since trialed nicely and one of the few strong Logan hopes in this field.
4th Pick: DECEPTION (4)
Just the one win to his name but does have plenty of strong form around his name. Must be considered as an exotics finisher if he brings his best performance this weekend.
TRIDENT runs in the Class 4 1400m Turf event – Race 9 at 4 pm Singapore time (9pm NZT) – will be ridden by Apprentice Rosman Iskandar, claiming 2kgs, from Barrier 3. Four Singapore starts for two wins and two 2nds says it all for this 4yo son of Deep Field. Just run down closing stages 24th Sept after being pushed wide on the turn, he gets his chance to go one better here. On paper should prove very hard to beat
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race;
1st Pick: TRIDENT (2)
Draws a good gate once again and looks to be a horse progressing through the grades nicely. Should be in the finish again.
2nd Pick: IRONCHAMP (1)
Hasn’t drawn a gate once again and will have to work early to find the top but he should be in front for a long way, maybe all the way if he gets an easy lead.
3rd Pick: IMPLEMENT (7)
Great performance in behind Mr Black Back. Race was run in good time so it should hold up, looks a big lightweight threat.
4th Pick: NO MORE DELAY (8)
If you like Implement and the form behind him, No More Delay comes out of the same race. Has been knocking on the door to win again, place hope.
KERMAJACK also runs in the Class 4 1400m Turf event – Race 9 at 4 pm Singapore time (9pm NZT) and will be ridden by Jake Bayliss. First start back from wind surgery, he is a staying type who will get better the further he goes. Will be ridden quietly and we are looking for him to be running home strongly – a close up finish would surprise
BRUTUS contests the Class 4 1200m Turf event – Race 11 at 5 pm Singapore time (10pm NZT). A five time winner in Singapore, he has not won since March, but been racing well of late. Jumps from Barrier 3 and Jerlyn Seow takes 3kgs off his back. Back to a rating where he can win, he represents a very strong top 3 chance here
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race;
1st Pick: AFTERMATH (4)
His two most recent runs in class 4 since heading up to the grade have been solid despite poor barrier draws. Great chance to win here now he finally draws a gate and gets a senior rider in the saddle.
2nd Pick: BRUTUS (1)
Weight relief could come in handy here for Brutus who has been racing incredibly well of late in the grade without picking up a cheque. Draws well, respect.
3rd Pick: DR KARDO (5)
Last start performance was a pass mark. 1100m would be better than 1200m but with a rolling tempo in the run, he should be looming late, big watch.
4th Pick: MINI FORCE X (2)
First run for new stable, track work and preparations have been solid. Good enough to win at class 4 but just hasn’t found his best form since arriving in Singapore.
New Zealand – Rotorua – Sunday 16th
SOPRANO SUPREME races in the Staphanos Classis, a Listed event over 1950 metres – Race 7 at 4.50 pm – will be ridden by Joe Kamaruddin claiming 1kg – a talented galloper, she disappointed last start over 1600m at Ruakaka, possibly due to a shifty track. A two time winner on this track in the Autumn over 1950m and 2200m, the step up in trip will suit, she gets in on the minimum and aided by a 1kg claim as well. She rates a top four chance in this event
HAYATE races in the R65 over 1215 metres – Race 6 at 4.15 pm – to be ridden by Craig Grylls – a strong Maiden winner on debut at Matamata in May, this well bred daughter of Maurice disappointed when resuming at Taupo in August when we were expecting better – has been freshened since. Take on trust but gets a nice draw here and an in form rider and can feature in the finish if back to her best.
Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 11th October
Soprano Supreme (O Bosson) worked over 1200 metres in 1.33.5, home in 36.5.
Hayate (J Kamaruddin) worked over 1000 metres in 1.05.67, home in 37.8.
Thursday 13th October
Hayate (M Roustoby) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.10.1, home in 40.7.
Soprano Supreme (L Macnab) worked over an easy 1200 metres in 1.15.24, home in 43.6.
Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 11th October
Hayate (J Kamaruddin) worked over 1000 metres in 1.05.67, home in 37.8.
Angels Wings (O Bosson) worked over 1000 metres in 1.02.6, home in 36.58.
Inca Belle (R Sheehan) worked over 1000 metres in 1.05.2, home in 37.74.
Thursday 13th OctoberHayate (M Roustoby) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.10.1, home in 40.7.
Soprano Supreme (L Macnab) worked over an easy 1200 metres in 1.15.24, home in 43.6.
Fortuna Track work – Singapore
Saturday 8th October
Trident (Yusoff) – C, 1000/600 39.4; Deception (Aslam) – 1000/600 36.2; Rocky (Jake) – 1000/600 38.2;
Tuesday 11th October
Brutus (Jerlyn) – 800/600 41.3; Kermajack (Aslam) – 800/600 36.3; Trident (Jake) – 800/600 43.9; Deception (Simon) – 800/600 41.4; Entertainer (Nunes) – 800/600 40.1;
Other News
Fortuna secures a Charm Spirit Colt for Singapore Racing at the Inglis R2R Sale in Sydney
On Tuesday of this week, we secured the Charm Spirit – Thurlow Colt – Lot 79 for A$80,000 from the Inglis Ready 2 Race sale in Sydney – Donna Logan was down from Singapore for the sale and she had identified this Colt as a “must buy” – this after inspecting every horse on the Sales ground Sunday and Monday – she had picked out five potential purchases for us to consider – Lot 79 (who was Donna’s No 1 preference) was the first to go through the ring. We were not confident that we could secure him as the vendor had paid A$65,000 for him at the Inglis Premier Yearling sale in Melbourne and our budget was A$80,000 but in the end we prevailed. This horse will be gelded immediately and will be sent to Singapore to race
Physical Type – a strong, athletic type standing just under 16 hands and tipping the scales at 496 kgs, he is a lovely physical specimen.
Click HERE to see the catalogue page which contains the pedigree page and also the Breeze up Video, a Breeze up Day Video Clip, a Parade Clip and a clip showing some of his preparation.
Pedigree – by the Irish Bred Group One winning CHARM SPIRIT, the Sire of over 290 winners, including 15 Stakes winners, he is out of the dual Stakes winning (in Victoria) Mare, THURLOW (by Sebring), this is a very strong pedigree page. Interesting to note that Donna currently has two up and comers in her Stable by Charm Spirit, the Te Akau syndicated 4yo Charminton (3 wins, 3 2nds from 5 starts) and the Kylie Bax syndicated 3yo Luxury Brand (2 wins, 2 2nds from 5 starts)
Vetting – this Colt had his X Rays and Scope inspected by our Singapore Vet, Dr Dan Shaw, who declared his X Rays clean and he was a Grade One (highest grade) on his scope and our very good Matamata Vet, Dr Ronan Costello, was at the sales ground – he undertook a physical inspection for us and passed him with No Significant Findings, commenting that he would benefit from Gelding (which we would be doing anyway) and that he was probably still 6 months away from being fully mature (which Donna had already identified as well) – and is going to be about 6 months before he would have his first trial anyway
Ongoing Plans – he will be gelded in the next few days, plus get his Singapore vaccinations and will travel to Singapore late December – he will quarantine there for two weeks and then join his stablemates at the Te Akau Racing Stables at Kranji race track where Donna will get him ready for racing. Assuming that he exits Singapore quarantine early January, he could be ready to have his first Singapore trial (they are required to have two Singapore trials before racing) mid April – still a 2yo at that point, he will be eligible for any 2yo races at that time (the 2023 Singapore calendar is still being finalised) but will also be eligible (as a 2yo) for Restricted Maiden Grade racing, a grade which carries S$75k of prize money (approx NZ$90k at current exchange rate.
Note that he is also eligible for this Grade as a 3yo and once winning in that Grade he is eligible for Novice Grade (for 1 win horses), also for prizemoney of S$75k – notable that the Fortuna 4yo, Trident, who has had 4 Singapore starts for 2 wins and 2 2nds, has won in both Restricted Maiden and Novice grades and has accumulated S$104k in stakes to date – this is why we love racing in Singapore!!!
Donna says “John, you have made me a very happy Singapore Trainer – I had a very open mind during inspections, but I kept coming back to this fellow – he is a lovely physical type who vetted well and who will benefit immensely from the two month break he will have in NSW before flying to Singapore – I wasn’t sure if we could get him for your budget, but the sale was quite patchy and we clearly got lucky. My two Charm Spirits in Singapore are taking all before them and there is no reason why this boy cannot do the same.”
Terms – all up this Colt will be fully syndicated for NZ$152,000 – this includes Purchase price, Promoters Fees, Vetting costs, Transport to Singapore, Insurance paid to 31 Jan 2024 and working capital of just under $14k – 10% share = $15,200, 5% share = $7,600, 2.5% share = $3,800 and 1% share = $1,520. And then $40 per month per each 1% share from 1 Jan 2023
As I am sure you are only too well aware, Fortuna Racing has had a great run in Singapore in recent years (19 wins in 2021 and 17 so far in 2022) – we seem to be buying the right type of horse for Singapore conditions and of course, Donna Logan is currently the leading Trainer in Singapore with her team firing on all cylinders
At this stage ahead of finalising our paperwork, we are taking expressions of interest.
All you need to do is to respond to this update HERE expressing interest (please provide your preferred percentage) – Official syndication paperwork will be finalised over the next few days and once done, those who have expressed interest will have the opportunity to peruse the Disclosure material and make a final decision to proceed at that point.
Jamie Richards scores his 1st Hong Kong winner with the former Fortuna owned Handsome Rebel
A remarkable outcome for Jamie at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening – not so much remarkable because he trained his first winner – that was always going to happen, but remarkable because he did it with Handsome Rebel, a Fortuna syndicated horse he had formerly trained in New Zealand when in partnership with Stephen Autridge
Handsome Rebel had been acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna racing at the 2017 Gold Coast yearling sale for A$65k.A natural 2yo type, he had four 3rds in a row after making his debut in December of his 2yo year – two of those 3rd placing were in Group 3 races at Matamata and New Plymouth – he then won a Maiden race at Matamata before running a tidy 4th in the Group One Sires Produce at Awapuni ( the race was won by the Te Akau star filly, Avantage). Subsequently, we received an offer from Hong Kong for NZ$450k – the deal went through and “Jordie” was off to HK. He certainly has not covered himself in glory up there with just one Hong Kong win in the hands of local trainer Y S Tsui, that win in September 2020, but he was transferred to Jamie’s Stable a couple of months ago and Jamie has worked the oracle with him it would seem – Race replay can be seen HERE
Of further note, Jamie’s last winner in New Zealand was the Fortuna owned Ragamuffin on the 30th March
Guest Selector – Des Coppins
Hi John and The Fortuna Team
Sadly our selection, Outfit, missed out completely on Saturday but further investigation clarified what went wrong. She pulled up mildly lame (1/5) in the right foreleg. I felt because she didn’t let down there had to be something!
This weekend I heading to Hastings for the main race of the day, the Livamol Classic. It’s hard to go past Mustang Valley. She’s seasoned, she appreciates wet ground and she has last season’s champion jockey in Michael McNab on board. What’s not to like about her claiming the group one. Her run behind La Crique last week was massive. She was slow away but attacked the line with great gusto over the 1600m and she’s now ready to win over 2000m. She’s never been out of the money on a heavy track. I know her price is relatively short at $2.70 but as the saying goes a small priced winner is better than a long priced loser.
If you like playing the exotics don’t leave out the progressive Soldier Boy off your quinella, trifecta and first 4 ticket. It’s a big rise in class, I know, but he has been faultless in his last two in tough going under big weights. Do not lose sight that he ran 4th in the NZ Derby this year! I’ll be playing the favourite to win but I’ll have something small on Soldier Boy on the nose with a good play on the place market.
Good Punting
Des