Fortuna 2yo RHETT BUTLER to contest the Group 3 Golden Horseshoe in Singapore 23rd July
Te Akau Racing appoints Ben Gleeson as Assistant Trainer to Mark Walker – Cranbourne operation
Melody Belle’s 4yo half brother by Tavistock, Cavalry, previously known as Tutukaka, contests the Singapore Derby this Sunday 23rd for his new connections.
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Fortuna has three runners on Sunday, all in Singapore
Singapore
KNIPPENBERG races in the Class 4 1200 Turf event – Race 4 @1.30 Singapore time (5.30pm NZ Time) with Singapore’s leading rider, Manoel Nunes to take the mount from a mid field draw. The race record of this classy 3yo says it all – 5 starts, 2 wins, a 2nd and a 4th in a Group 3 event. Has been freshened since his last start win in May, won a trial in quick time 12th July. Meets older horses for the first time in this event, but has enough class to cope. Strong each way chance and can win
Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race;
1st Pick: KNIPPENBERG (2)
Impressive winner at Novice level back in May and has since had a nice trial where he clocked 60.58. He has been mixing it with some our best young horses and looks set to mix it against an older field.
2nd Pick: CITY GOLD STAR (1)
Stable is going well in recent weeks and this gelding has mixed it on both turf and Polytrack surfaces. Liked his trial two weeks back and comes into this a leading chance.
3rd Pick: DANCING SUPREMO (4)
Has bounced between trainers back in Australia where he raced as ‘Nations Pride’. Has the one win to his name at 1400m at Werribee on a heavy surface. Watch betting.
4th Pick: DR KARDO (10)
Has been settling more up on the pace in recent starts and with a lightweight he can be a key player. One for the multiples.
RHETT BUTLER races in the Group 3 Golden Horseshoe for 2yos 1200 Turf event – Race 6 @2.30 Singapore time (6.30pm NZ Time) with Singapore’s 2022 Champion Apprentice, Fadzli Yusoff to ride from an outside draw. A highly impressive winner on debut, RHETT BUTLER then ran a close up 5th against older horses late May. Has been freshened since. Meets a talented field of 2yo’s here and has a difficult barrier draw to overcome. Look for him to go back from the draw and be storming home at the finish. Needs luck but if he gets it, can feature in the finish
ENTERTAINER races in the Class 3 1200 Turf event – Race 12 @5.40 Singapore time (9.40pm NZ Time) with Fadzli Yusoff to ride from a wide draw. Has run two close up 4th placings this surface and trip last two starts. Needs luck from draw but if he can fly the gates and get a soft lead, could secure some of the prizemoney
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Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 18 July
Ragamuffin (J Allen) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.13.3, home in 41.7.
Angels Wings (J Allen) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, quickening over the last 600 to finish in 39.4.
Marlborough Bay (R Sheehan) and Aotea Lad (W Kennedy) galloped over 1200 metres in 1.18.7, home in 38.1.
Fortuna Track work – Singapore
Saturday 15th July
ROCKY (JAMIL)800/600-37.6; RHETT BUTLER (ASLAM)800/600-37.6; ENTERTAINER (ASLAM)1000/600-38.5
Tuesday 18th July
RHETT BUTLER(YUSOFF)800/600-38; KNIPPENBERG(ASLAM)800/600-37.5
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Other News
Fortuna 2yo RHETT BUTLER to contest the Group 3 Golden Horseshoe in Singapore 23rd July
Exciting time for connections of 2yo RHETT BUTLER (Charm Spirit – Thurlow) as he takes his place in the field of this prestigious event for 2yo’s at Singapore’s Kranji Racecourse. Acuired by Fortuna Racing and Donna Logan for A$80k at the Inglis Ready to Race sale (Sydney) in October 2022, he was transported to Singapore and won on debut in Restricted Maiden Grade 29th April with a barnstorming finish from near last on the turn. He stepped up to Novice Grade at his 2nd start, running a meritable 5th after not getting all favours. Freshened since, his work has been strong and he is ready for this event. A big strong type who tips the scales at 530kgs, he meets a talented field of 2yo’s here and has a very wide barrier draw to overcome. To be ridden by Stable Apprentice, Fadzli Yusoff, race tactics will be to let the speed go, settle in behind somewhere and then look to finish over the top of them.
John and Jessica are attending this meeting and will be hosting a party of 18 clients (many of whom are in Rhett) in one of the Corporate Suites. Some of these clients are local but others are also traveling from NZ, Australia and Malaysia to attend. Two other runners on the day are Knippenberg and Entertainer
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Te Akau Racing appoints Ben Gleeson as Assistant Trainer to Mark Walker – Cranbourne operation
Te Akau Racing are delighted to confirm that Victorian Ben Gleeson has been appointed as Assistant Trainer for Te Akau Racing Australia, the stable to be based at Cranbourne, Victoria.
“I am very proud to welcome Ben to the Te Akau team. His appointment as Assistant Trainer for our new Australian operation is a key one and he brings an outstanding CV to the role, rich in Australian and international experience,” said David Ellis CNZM. “Ben knows the Australian racing environment like the back of his hand, everything he does is with a huge degree of professionalism and energy. I know he will be a major asset to our new stable.”
Concluding five years in the same role to Danny O’Brien at Flemington, Barwon Heads and Geelong, Ben comes from a racing and breeding family. He graduated with a Bachelor in Business Management from La Trobe University, Melbourne, and has worked for top trainers, including a European racing experience while working in the United Kingdom.
Ben Gleeson
“Mark Walker and I have met a number of times over the last month,” Gleeson said. “David Ellis and Mark offered me the role, which is obviously a position too good not to take up and I’m both humbled and excited about the appointment and glad to be joining the Te Akau team. I’m joining an operation that is incredibly successful, especially over the past decade, one that reaches an international ownership base and I’ve always been keen to get out and meet as many people in the industry as possible. I find it very satisfying meeting new people that share the love of horse breeding and racing, and on top of that it’s an opportunity to work with Mark, who has proved himself a world-class trainer – training in New Zealand and Singapore, and the number of training titles (10) he’s won. It’s incredibly attractive to work alongside someone with his knowledge, experience, and achievements, and to work with horses that are largely selected and bought by David Ellis CNZM who has established himself as not only having a great eye for a horse, but also running such a successful farming and thoroughbred business.”
Gleeson grew up on Phoenix Broodmare Farm at Euroa, Victoria, where he learned and assisted his father Damian Gleeson with breeding and foaling, and his mother Merilyn Anderson with training at Seymour. He then broadened his experience through the school holidays working for local father-and-son trainers Lee and Shannon Hope at Seymour. After graduating he worked for Peter Moody, Henry Dwyer, and very successful trainer Hugo Palmer during two years in the UK, which included time in Germany, France and Ireland, while learning about the racing systems employed in those countries.
“Peter (Moody) really kindled my passion for horse training, while I advanced my riding and overall horse skills working with Henry Dwyer, and I found the European experience invaluable,” Gleeson said.
Gleeson is preparing to spend a week in New Zealand at our Matamata stable as well as Te Akau Stud.
“I arrive on 13 August, and am looking forward to seeing all the horses, and finding out the detail of the stable operations. I’ll be ready to apply this, with my own experience, as we kick-off at Cranbourne, he said. Mark (Walker) is very open-minded and encourages input from all his team, which is probably why he’s such a successful trainer. I am really looking forward to being involved in putting Te Akau Australia on the map,” Gleeson concluded.
David Ellis concludes “The aim is to have horses in the new Cranbourne stable by the first week of September. We hope to have 20 horses training by November and have a goal of up to 60 – 80 in 12 to 18 months. It’s an exciting opportunity and time for Te Akau owners with our new Australian stable construction now underway. We are really looking forward to the future and to you enjoying, and being part of, a new success story.”
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Shares For Sale
We still have a few shares for sale in three horses – two Yearlings and one Two Year Old
Yearling Filly by Reliable Man – stable name “Raquel” but now has a racing name – STAR SHADOW – Back in full work at Matamata after a nice spell at Te Akau Stud, she is now being prepared by Mark Walker for an early Spring trial – shares available @ $976 per each 1% and $44 per month from 1 August – Click HERE to see full details of this lovely Grey Filly
STAR SHADOW
Yearling Filly by Eminent – QUEEN CONSORT – Back in full work at Matamata after a nice spell at Te Akau Stud, she is now being prepared by Mark Walker for a late August trial – shares available @ $1476 per each 1% and $44 per month from 1 August – Click HERE to see full details of this lovely staying type Filly
QUEEN CONSORT
Two Year Old Colt by Mastercraftsman out of the High Chaparral Mare, Trikala – “Frankie” – acquired at the Tattersalls 2yo Sale in Ireland, “Frankie” is now in full training with Harry Eustace at Newmarket being prepared for his debut 2yo start 1 November – shares available @ $1000 per each 1% and $44 per month from 1 August – Click HERE to see full details of this handsome Colt with a beautiful staying pedigree
“Frankie”
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Guest Selector – Craig Carter
Slipper Island, Craig’s selection last week, got too far back in the running, finished off strongly but not in the placings – Here is what Craig says this week
Hi John and the Fortuna Team – Back to the drawing boards this week after last weeks selection got way to far back and was running home well but too late to feature. This week is again tricky as the rain looks to show its self and make the tracks very testing. So I have decided to look at Rosehill Race 6 – Acappella Sun, who is in a purple patch of form and always hits the line hard. Has the services of Amy McLucas who is an up and coming apprentice and has ridden this daughter of Sebring Sun the last few starts so knows the horse well.
Is paying $7 / $2.40 on fixed odds so like last week 2 over 3 for every $5 should reap some good returns.
All the best – Craig
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Martin Devlin Speaks Out
Martin Devlin is a household name in NZ to anyone who follows Sport – the veteran sports broadcaster has delighted, shocked and no doubt at times offended a couple of generations of sports fans. Staunchly “sticking to his knitting” of Sports commentary, he has up until recently, avoided being dragged into ant sort of political commentary. However, clearly a man who loves his country, its heritage and his fellow New Zealanders, he felt moved to launch what might be described as a “blistering attack”on the current state of affairs in NZ and the impact that was having on those close to him. I was personally very moved by his comments and you can read them in full
HERE
