Fortuna has ten runners in three jurisdictions over the Easter weekend – five in NZ, one in Aus and four in Singapore

New Zealand

Leaderboard contests the rating 74 1600 (race 2 at 12:52) at Awapuni – has had two nice resuming runs at this trip – was set to run over 2000 at Tauherenikau last Sunday but with that meeting being abandoned, he now comes back to the 1600m again this week – Opie Bosson will ride from a handy barrier draw – he was definitely looking for 2000, but we have not done a lot with him this week and is sure to be competitive in this race Presents as a good each way chance

Navalha contests the 3yo set weight and penalty event over 1200 (race 3 at 1:27_ this capable gelding by Sebring has taken all before him since arriving from Australia, with two starts/ two wins here in NZ –  has been freshened since his last win at the end of January – does meet a competitive field here of 3yo’s. many of whom have  good recent form however is right in it and presents as a good top three chance – Opie Bosson to ride

Khafeef, our European import 5-year-old trained by the Myers stable, contests the rating 64 2200 event (race 5 at 2:37) third up from a long break, he was very strong at Trentham 13th of March putting in a strong Stayers run from the back of the field to finish second beaten less than a length – will love this trip and the track and will be ridden by up-and-coming apprentice Temyia Taiaroa, with a 3 kg allowance – strong performance expected here

Rhapsody In Blue races at Ellerslie in the rating 70 for 1200 event (race 5 at 3:02)  – she went well this trip resuming at Matamata and looks to be a good chance to run in the money in this race – will be ridden from barrier 7 by stable apprentice Joe Kamaruddin claiming 3 kgs  –  Good each way chance

Charmaine’s Dream races at Tauranga on Easter Monday in the Maiden 3yo 1200 (race  3 at 1.05), although she is dual nominated for the Open Maiden 1200 (race 4)  – ran a nice resuming run for third at Matamata on 17th of March  after a tough 3 wide trip – Certainly has ability, will be ridden by Sam Collett (Race 3) and can feature in this race

Australia

Melody Belle seeks further Group One glory in the Tancred Stakes over 2400 at Rosehill  (race 7 at 6:35 pm NZT) – will be ridden by James McDonald from barrier 12  a field of 14 runners on what should be a good surface. Drawn out a bit, however she will get a lovely rum from there in the hands of super jock James McDonald – will be very competitive in this field – punters should note that she worked very well Wednesday morning but did tie up somewhat after her gallop – (tie up is a form of muscle contraction) – she has experienced this before and it is very manageable and has been passes fit to race by the Head Racing NSW Vet – strong each way chance in this if she runs the trip which she is attempting for the first time.

Singapore

Hidden Promise races in the class f5 1600 meter event on the polytrack (race 1 at 4 pm New Zealand time0 – this six time winner in Singapore gets up to his favourite trip and will be ridden by stable apprentice K Hakim who leads the overall jockeys table  – certainly very capable of taking us out and presents as a strong each way chance

Showbound races in the Open Maiden 1200 on the poly track (race 4 – 5.30pm NZT) – this horse has been racing well without winning, but gets his chance here in a moderate field – champion jockey Vlad Duric is in the saddle  – certainly presents as a top four chance and can win if things go right for him

Marcus Antonius is in the same race and is another with good recent form although over 1600and on the Turf – this race will probably be too short for him however is an ideal lead in for him to back up over 1600 m the following week

Entertainer contests the class 4 1100 event on the poly (race 12 at 9:30pm New Zealand time) –  a strong winner of each of his last two starts, he is a very fast race horse who likes to race on the speed – has drawn one of the outside barriers which won’t make it easy for him, however race plan is to be positive and he gets the services of Hakim and his 3 kg  claim – presents as a strong each way chance in this but does need luck from the draw

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 30th  March

Rhapsody In Blue (D Johnson) and Navalha (O Bosson) looked good galloping over 1000 metres, home in 36.7

Charmaine’s Dream (T Harris) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.11.5, last 600 in 41.5

Thursday 1^st April

No recorded Fortuna trackwork today

Other News

Easter Special on offer – 7.5% off our Extreme Choice two year old  gelding MOHAWK – Extreme Choice of course is the current “boom” Stallion in Australia, being the Sire of Stay Inside, a dominant winner of the Golden Slipper last weekend – Click HERE to read more

MOHAWK – Matamata 3rd March