Friday Flash – 21st October 2022

Headline News;

Fortuna secures a Charm Spirit Colt for Singapore Racing at the Inglis R2R Sale in Sydney – shares filling quickly but still some left

Singapore 2021 Champion Jockey, Hakim Kamaruddin to boost New Zealand riding ranks

Fortuna Annual Owners Day – Matamata Race Course – Sunday 4^th December

Fortuna has seven runners this weekend, five in NZ and two in Singapore
 
New Zealand  – Saturday 22nd

LEADERBOARD runs in  the R83 2400 at Te Rapa – Race 4 @ 2.05pm – will be ridden by Opie Bosson. Yet to greet the judge this season but now gets to the right trip. A dead set staying type, he is on a NZ Cup path – course and distance winner – he should be running home strongly here.

RUBICON CROSSING contests the 2yo 800m event down the Riccarton chute – Race 4 @1.10pm – Lisa Allpress to ride. Impressive winner on debut at Wanganui in September. Showed great speed on debut on a Heavy track – will get a much firmer track here which will suit her natural ability. Strong each way chance

DANCARINA runs in the R75 1200 at Riccarton – Race 7 @ 2.58pm and will be ridden by Lisa Allpress from a mid field draw. This classy 4yo daughter of Sebring won impressively this track and trip in R65 grade in September before running 3^rd same track and trip when up to R75 grade 1^st October – track was quite wet that day. Will get a much better surface on Saturday and is a top 3 contender in this

MALBOROUGH BAY  contests the Group 3 War Decree Stakes over 1600m at Riccarton – Race 8 @ 3.33pm – Lisa Allpress to ride from Barrier 1. Two Riccarton starts over 1000m and 1400m have resulted in two 3rds for this son of Darci Brahma – struck a wettish track on 1^st October and was inclined to over race. Gets up to the mile this time and on a surface more to his liking – will get a soft run in behind the speed from his soft draw – meets some talented gallopers here but a bold run is expected – can feature in the First 4

KHAFEEF runs at Trentham on Sunday 23^rd, contesting the R75 2200m event – Race 6 @ 3.05pm – will be ridden by Ashvin Mudhoo – not a wet track horse, he has struck nothing other than those in recent starts. Made his Hurdles debut for a 3^rd placing 2^nd October. Holds a nomination for the NZ Cup, but is on a rating of 67 and would probably need to win on Sunday to have a realistic chance of making the Cup field. Track is a Soft 7 Thursday and drying. A hard pulling type, he always needs to be taken on trust, but has got to a dangerous place in the weights and can feature here

Singapore – Saturday 22^nd

OLYMPIA contests the Class 5 1000m event – Race 3 @ 1pm Singapore time (6pm NZT) and will be ridden by Singapore’s leading apprentice Fadzli Yusoff claiming 2kgs from an inside draw – this fellow always tries hard and rarely runs a bad race, but a succession of wide draws and a couple of ill judged rides have conspired to keep him out of the winners circle – gets his chance here with a lovely draw, a light weight and his favourite trip – definite top 3 chance and can win!!

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race;

1st Pick: QAIDOOM (1)
Started her career in winning style in the Open Maiden race, albeit in a lighter weight then. Had a couple of placings in the Class 4 company. Well placed here with M Ibrahim’s 4kg claim will help to reduce the burden on the back.
2nd Pick: GOLD CUT (6)
Managed to win his first win after a few strong placing in the maiden company. Was largely disappointing in the betting field but with some ability. Should be in the finish again.
3rd Pick: KNIGHT LOVE (7)
He might be small in size but made up with his tenacity. With champion Jockey on board, can continue with his good run.
4th Pick: OLYMPIA (9)
Only managed to get one win in his career so far. However, that was in the same class and distance in similar weight. Had kept his form since, and now in the good hand of leading apprentice jockey, F Yusoff. Can be competitive.

ROCKY runs in the Class 4 1200 Poly event – Race 8 @ 3.30pm Singapore time (8.30pm NZT) with Yusoff in the saddle – 5 starts for 1 win and 4 minor placings have been the lot of this handsome 4yo son of El Roca. Still learning the game, he was freshened after his last start, was a strong trial winner 11^th October and gets into this race with just 50.5kgs. A progressive type he can be competitive here, but does meet a strong field of older, more seasoned runners and has an outside barrier draw to contend with – will need luck and a canny ride to feature

Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday  18^th October

Mohawk Brave (C Grylls) worked over 1000 metres in 1.08.13, home in 40.06.
Leaderboard (N Parmar) worked over 1200 metres in 1.20.2, home in 40.7.

Thursday  20^th October

No Fortuna timed trackwork today

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Saturday  15^th October

Olympia (Aslam) – 800/600 36;

Tuesday  18^th October

Rocky (Bayliss) – 800/600 40;

Other News

Fortuna secures a Charm Spirit Colt for Singapore Racing at the Inglis R2R Sale in Sydney – shares filling quickly but still some left On Tuesday 11^th October, we secured the Charm Spirit – Thurlow Colt – Lot 79 for A$80,000 from the Inglis Ready 2 Race sale in Sydney – our Singapore Trainer, 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 pre sale – 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 is to be gelded 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.

He was broken in April/May of 2022 and then given his first stable preparation, then paddock spelled for  four weeks before then being given a pre Sales preparation culminating in a Breeze Up Gallop ahead of the Sale.

Click HERE to see his Breeze up Callop

Click HERE to see his pre sale Parade

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)

Click HERE to see his pedigree.

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 – after  being  gelded and receiving his Singapore vaccinations, he will agist at a farm in Victoria 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.”

 

Charm Spirit Colt in action

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

Disclosure Statement & Agreement

View and/or Download the Disclosure Statement and the Syndicate Agreement for this syndicate

Read the Declaration.

Terms

The all up syndicated cost is NZ $152,000 – this includes purchase price, freight to Singapore, Promoters fees, insurance through to January 2024 and just over $14,000 of working capital.

• Shares available right down to 1%.
• 10% share $15,200 – 5% share  $7,600– 2.5% share $3,800 – 1% share $1,520 (all pricing in NZ$)
• Share price includes all Initial Costs (Purchase price, Promoters Fees, Transport to Singapore, Insurance through to 31st January 2024, and Working Capital of $14,000 approx
• Monthly ongoing costs from 1^st January 2023 – from that date ongoing costs are – 10% share $400 per month – 5% share $200 per month – 2.5% share $100 per month – 1% share $40 per month.
• Monthly ongoing costs can alternatively be paid up to 12 months in advance as an option for subscribers by Bank Payment or Credit Card

Applications can only be made after Investors have perused and signed the NZ Thoroughbred Racing approved Disclosure Statement. This can be obtained from the Syndicate Promoter, Fortuna Ltd (Director John Galvin).

Fortuna Ltd is an Authorised Syndicator in accordance with the Code of Practice administered by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (Inc) established under The Financial Markets Conduct (Equine Bloodstock) Exemption Notice 2016. Details of this Offer are contained in the Disclosure Statement relating to the Offer

Purchase a share in CHARM SPIRIT 2yo today from the link HERE or email john@fortuna-nz.com for more information.

Hakim Kamaruddin to join the New Zealand jockey ranks.

Singapore Champion Jockey Hakim Kamaruddin is set to bolster the riding ranks in New Zealand. Indentured to Te Akau trainer Mark Walker in Singapore, Kamaruddin (24) joined Walker with honours last year when winning both Champion Apprentice and Champion Jockey titles.

Capturing both awards exemplified the ability of Kamaruddin, in just his second season riding, a feat not achieved since 1995 when Benny Woodworth won both titles as an apprentice in Singapore. During a four-month break earlier this year, Kamaruddin returned home to Kelantan, Malaysia, where he spent most of his time flying kites.

Mark Walker has always held Kamaruddin in high regard and the nine-time Champion Trainer (five NZ, four Singapore) welcomes the addition to his team. “It was a remarkable achievement to win both titles in his first full season of riding and just shows how much natural talent he has as a rider,” Walker said. “He should have no trouble adapting to New Zealand conditions and he’s going to be a permanent fixture here so he’ll keep improving. He’s arriving in the next week and we’ll kick him off at the trials before he gets out there on race days, but it’s exciting to have a jockey of his ability coming to New Zealand and we’re all looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

Since Walker returned to New Zealand to start training again on 1 April, Kamaruddin has been apprenticed to Te Akau’s Singapore trainer Donna Logan who leads the premiership with 54 wins this year.

John says “Hakim has ridden a lot of winners for us in Singapore and given how thin the riding ranks are here in NZ at present, particularly with riders who can ride light, he is going to be a very valuable addition.”

Fortuna Annual Owners Day – Matamata Race Course – Sunday 4^th December
 
Yes, it is that time of the year again and after two Covid affected years with attendances restricted due to lockdowns, the powers that be have been kind enough to give us our freedoms back!!! and we are looking forward to hosting our usual 100 plus attendees.

Venue – Epsom Lounge – Matamata Race course
Date – Sunday 4^th December
Time – 1pm to 4pm
Format – Meet and Greet, light refreshments, Review of 2022 Calendar Year, Parade of all of the Fortuna Matamata based horses
Special Guest – Mark Walker

Registration – it is important that you register with your numbers attending – please do that by emailing jessica@fortuna-nz.com or you can call or text Jessica 021 288 6997

Guest Selector – Des Coppins
 
Hi John and Team Fortuna

In hindsight our group one selection last week wasn’t hard and it was very much an easy watch as Mustang Valley literally streeted the opposition on the rain affected Hastings track in the Livamol. I hear now that the hot to trot Andrew Forsman is now seeking further spoils with her as she heads to Melbourne for a crack at the big time at Flemington in either the group one Champions Stakes over 2000m on November 5 or the group two Matriarch Stakes also over 2000m on the same day.

Any retention of water at Flemington will be to her advantage and the odds will certainly be a lot more than the $2.70 we received last weekend. Speaking of Australia I’ll be over next week for 10 or 11 days with a group of 80 to see some of the best racing on the planet, culminating of course with the Melbourne Cup.

A few on board may well be Fortuna clients and I’m sure they’ll have an unforgettable experience both on and off the track!  It’d be fair to say the spring carnival is as good as it gets with so many black type races and the influx of the very best license holders in the business.

While next week I’ll earmark one or two to follow on Derby Day at Flemington I’ll stick to the home base this week with a sneaky at Trentham in race 7.

Have a good look at Duke of Plumpton. The odds should be attractive. He’s back from racing in Australia to rejoin the Kevin Myers stable, who trained him at the start of his career.

I had a good look at his trial last Tuesday and was suitably impressed. He wasn’t really knocked around by the young rider, Toni Davies, who is booked to have her first official ride on him on Sunday. I’d say she’s well schooled under the expert tuition of Duke of Plumpton’s trainer.

In the trial Duke of Plumpton was ridden back but darted through without too much stress for a close up second. He hasn’t raced since Mornington back in August and while his form of late has been in middle distance races there’s genuine expectations by me that the 1400m with cut in the ground won’t be beyond him. He’s won first up over this distance in the past, three times to be precise both here and in Australia.

I have no idea what odds the TAB bookies will put up but I’d like to think it’d be around the 8 to 10 dollar mark.

Good punting! Des

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