Friday Flash – 20th May


MARLBOROUGH BAY – 2yo wins on debut Matamata 13th May – Lisa Allpress aboard
=================================================================
Headline News;Five Fortuna winners last week – 22 total for the calendar year – Four of our winners had their first win, Deception, Hayate and Marlborough Bay – the latter two were both on debut

Fortuna has just one runner in NZ this week, none in Singapore

New Zealand – Saturday 21st May – Te Rapa

KHAFEEF races in the R74 2100m event – Race 1 @ 12.16. Ryan Elliot to ride from a good barrier – a strong last start winner at Hawera in Highweight Grade 27th April, he will relish this trip. Can be inclined to over race, but was good last time and has a strong senior rider aboard this time – is the in form horse of the field here and is a strong Top 3 chance

Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday  17th May
No Fortuna timed trackwork today

Thursday  19th May
No Fortuna timed trackwork today

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Saturday 14th May

Trident (Jerlyn) with Rocky (Aiman) – 1000/600 37; Kermajack (Aiman) – 800/600 40; Briggs (Aiman) – 800/600 39; Elliot Ness (Yusoff) – 1000/600 40;

Tuesday 17th May

Trident (Jamil) with Rocky (Aslam) – 1000/609 38.5;

Other News

One of the highlights of my Racing Year is Royal Ascot – 5 consecutive days of world class racing, pomp, pageantry and the presence of Racing’s greatest cheerleader (and participant) Her Majesty the Queen – full crowd this year after Covid restrictions limited attendances the last two years and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as well – it’s always on in the middle of the night of course, but I just flick the Sky Recorder on and watch the following morning – still four weeks away yet, but its time to start studying the form!!! – see story below

Countdown to Return of Royal Ascot

Excerpt from Royal Ascot news …
We’re gearing up to crown the kings and queens of the Flat game as the highlight of the summer season comes racing into sight. Royal Ascot 2022 is set to be extra special for not just one but two reasons as this year is Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and a full crowd is permitted at the lucrative meeting for the first time since 2019. Whether you care about the pomp and pageantry or not, the action on the track is still the most important thing and you simply cannot move for quality at Royal Ascot with 35 contests on the packed agenda including eight Group 1’s.  The good news is that traditionally Trackside has broadcast this carnival overnight, NZ time.

ROYAL ASCOT 2022 RACE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, June 14
14:30: The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
15:05: The Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
15:40: The King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1)
16:20: The St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1)
17:00: The Ascot Stakes (Handicap)
17:35: The Wolferton Stakes (Listed)
18:10: The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap)

Wednesday, June 15
14:30: The Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)
15:05: The Queen’s Vase (Group 2)
15:40: The Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)
16:20: The Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)
17:00: The Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
17:35: The Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
18:10: The Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap)
Thursday, June 16
14:30: The Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)
15:05: The King George V Stakes (Handicap)
15:40: The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2)
16:15: The Gold Cup (Group 1)
17:00: The Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap)
17:35: The Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
18:10: The Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

Friday, June 17
14:30: The Albany Stakes (Group 3)
15:05: The Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)
15:40: The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)
16:20: The Coronation Stakes (Group 1)
17:00: The Sandringham Stakes (Handicap)
17:35: The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
18:10: The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap)

Saturday, June 18
14:30: The Chesham Stakes (Listed)
15:05: The Jersey Stakes (Group 3)
15:40: The Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
16:20: The Platinum Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
17:00: The Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap)
17:35: The Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap)
18:10: The Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions)

Guest Selector

Des had an “out” last week, but is all set to rock on Saturday – see his comments below:

John and Team, we missed last week but some horses are worth playing the long game and with winter almost with us, the pick from last week, Zoey Satin, will be in her element next time. Rotorua last week simply wasn’t wet enough for her but her finish into 8th from almost last on the turn stopped the clock as the quickest over both the last 400 and 200m.

Let’s turn the page and focus on this week’s meeting at Te Rapa. I’m keen on another multi. We are one from one with Fortuna clients on the multi option. Fingers crossed!

In race 3, the Robbie Patterson-trained Swiss Kitty (No 6) interests me a great deal. His run at Te Rapa last time was full of merit and his final sectionals were outstanding. It may well be wetter this weekend but that won’t faze him and what’s more he loves Te Rapa with 4 collects from 4 attempts there. In the very next race I’m a big fan of the “toppy” Wewillrock (No 1). This is a come back in class after a game third to Bonny Lass here last time. He has two black type placings in his two recent starts. He cops all types of track conditions and was a winner on the track last December. I’ve priced the multi at around 7 to one.

Des runs  his very popular phone tipping line (you can access this by calling 0900 45459 – note this incurs a charge of $2.99 per minute) – this service has been active for over 25 years and covers all NZ gallops from 8am each race day).

Des also tell me that since we started promoting his 2022 Melbourne Cup Tour, the booking numbers have doubled, with quite a few from the “Fortuna Family” paying up – still some spots available – so take a close look at the packages below and if you are keen, you know what to do – Click HERE to read all details  Click HERE for the booking form