Friday Flash – 5th August 2022
Headline News;
Nine Fortuna Runners trialed Te Rapa 4th August – see story below
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Fortuna has just three runners this week – all in Singapore
Singapore – Sunday 7th August
ROCKY will contest the Open Maiden 1200 Turf – Race 4 @ 1.30pm Singapore time (5.30pm NZT) – will be ridden by Senior Jockey Jake Bayliss from Barrier 8 in a field of 11 – a solid 3rd on his race day debut in Restricted Maiden Grade, he followed up with a good 5th in the same grade two weeks ago – inclined to still be a bit green in his racing to date, he gets the blinkers and a senior rider this time – Improvement expected here from this son of El Roca and is a solid each way chance in this
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters say about this race;
1st Pick: ROCKY (6)
Gets the blinkers added this weekend after finishing a nice fourth last start. Bayliss should have him up there handy in the run and form is strong from his first few starts.
2nd Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (9)
Draws wide in this but one of our most consistent maidens in Singapore. Trainer has called on Blake Shinn to try and get that first win. She will look a danger for a long way.
3rd Pick: PACIFIC STAR (10)
Won his only trial clocking 1:01.37 with Wong in the saddle and he keeps the ride. Stable has a good record with horses in these grades and look for any support.
4th Pick: SHIHAB (11)
Three-year-old son of Shalaa who has three trials under his belt coming into this. Has run in some trials that have produced some good race form and gets in on a lightweight.
ELLIOT NESS races in the Class 4 1100 Poly – Race 8 at 3.30pm Singapore time (7.30pm NZT) – Hakim (claiming 1kg) to ride from barrier 2. This talented galloper holds the Singapore track record this trip and surface – 2nd this trip and surface two weeks ago and arguably unlucky not to win, he represents a top chance here to feature with a great draw and just 52kgs to carry
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters say about this race;
1st Pick: LORD JUSTICE (1)
Runs have been spaced in recent times but has still won his last two. Recent suggests he should be forward enough to run well here.
2nd Pick: DREAM ALLIANCE (5)
Trials have been solid ahead of debut here. One to watch for late market support.
3rd Pick: ELLIOT NESS (6)
First run back in class 4 was great and it proved another win at this class is very possible. Keep safe.
4th Pick: DR KARDO (2)
Back to 1100m on the poly track for the first time since his win, top four player.
“Elliot Ness” – 2nd Singapore Win – 9th July 2022
OLYMPIA will contest the Class 5 1100 Poly – race 9 @ 4pm Singapore time (8pm NZT) – star apprentice Fadzli Yusoff, claiming 3kgs, will ride from barrier 7 – honest as the day is long, Olympia has had 9 starts in the Fortuna Racing silks for 1 win and 7 other prizemoney placings – needs a little bit of luck from the draw, but if he gets it is a great each way chance and can win
Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 2nd August
Leaderboard (M Roustoby) worked over 1000 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.13.4, home in 40.69.
Navalha (S Weatherley) worked over 1000 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.13.41, home in 42.89
Prince Lonhro (B King) worked over 1000 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.13.87, home in 42.54
Hayate (A Handley) worked over 1000 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.13.88, home in 41.97.
Inca Belle (A Handley) worked over 1000 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.13.24, home in 41.79.
Fortuna Track work – Singapore
Saturday 30th July
Entertainer (Yusoff) – 1000/600 39; King Arthur (Yusoff) – 1000/600 40
Wednesday 2nd August
Olympia (Yusoff) – 800/600 39;; Hadeer (Jake) – 1000/600 38; God’s Gift (Bayliss) – 800/600 39.5; Rocky(Bayliss) – 800/600 40;
Other News
Nine Fortuna Runners trialed Te Rapa 4th August
Mark Walker took 70 plus runners to the Te Rapa trials Thursday the 4th August, nine of which were Fortuna runners and overall we had a pretty good day out with two winners Prince Lonhro and Leaderboard, Sailing Away and Inca Belle running second, Angels Wings running third and Mohawk Brave, Navalha and Hayateall finishing close up – Madame Moet resented the heavy track conditions, over raced and finished back in the field, but nevertheless, she is ready to resume racing. Probably the most remarkable performance of the day was our stayer, Leaderboard, who is on a NZ/Wellington Cups path, taking out the 1100m Open Trial, leaving the gates like a greyhound, never headed in the run and going to the line easing down with one and a half lengths to spare. My quip to Mar Walker after the trial was “We should nominate him for the Telegraph instead of the Wellington Cup”.
Of these trialists you can expect to see Leaderboard, Mohawk Brave, Navalha, Hayate and Madame Moethead off to the races soon, while Sailing Home, Prince Lonhro, Angels Wings and Inca Belle will all have a three week break before resuming their preparations
Overall the Fortuna team looks in pretty good shape as the new season gets under way
Obituaries
Sadly, we have had two Fortuna stalwarts pass away in recent times.
Les Coulam had had a long battle with his health in recent years and finally succumbed. Les and Nola, married for over 50 years, lived on the North Shore where they had raised their family and had very strong community involvement. In recent years Les and Nola had success with the Fortuna runners Chance To Dance, Red Rover and Hadeer
Chris Ireson was a familiar face to many of our Fortuna clients on race and trial days as he would invariably attend – indeed just two weeks ago he attended the Cambridge trials, despite being far from well. Chris and Raewyn, who also had been married for over 50 years, lived in Rotorua and they were involved in many Te Akau and Fortuna syndicates. Chris had been in irrepressible health until about two years ago when he had some heart surgery and ongoing issues led to his recent demise. Chris and Raewyn had enjoyed success with Fortuna in many of our horses in NZ and Singapore, Chance To Dance, Ronaldo’s Dream, Federation, Brutus, Hadeer, Leaderboard and Olympia
We extend our deepest sympathies to the Coulam and Ireson families – Rest in peace Les and Chris
Guest Selector – Des Coppins
Des’ pick last week did not win but ran 3rd producing a 102% return on investment at the 1 unit to win, 3 units a place recommendation – here is what Des has to say this week;
We ended up with 100 percent profit on the suggested return on investment with Sonofabutcher hitting the line solidly for third in the last at Te Rapa last Saturday. Possibly a tad unlucky when the jockey decided to steer him on the inner part of the track which was clearly against the normal run of play throughout the day in what clearly was tougher than normal Te Rapa winter going. Overall a game run and satisfying enough for the Fortuna followers. However, those who subscribe to my 0900 line may well have struck real gold because while Sonofabutcher was my first pick, my second selection in the race, Macushla, won at monstrous odds of 27 to one!
This weekend I’m turning my attention to Ruakaka, race 6, number 11, Sulabela.
She has an awkward draw to overcome but the way I see the race she has the pace to come across and either lead or sit outside the lead. While Sulabela, a four year old daughter of Prosir, is having her first start she’s been to Ruakaka twice, for a trials win, almost two years ago when she won effortlessly by over three lengths and then again at the end of June this year when second to the very promising Noble Win, who as you probably know was subsequently explosive in a maiden win at Pukekohe two weeks later. She had one other trial at Avondale about 15 months ago and wasn’t knocked around to finish just behind the first 4 ( amongst them a black type performer).
To be fair Noble Win had her well covered but she was part of a blistering speed duel in the early and middle part of the trial but she fought well to the line to distance the rest. I was keen on the run and interestingly there were 5 trials over the 1030m that day and her heat was more than one second quicker than the others including the open trial!
She’s trained on the track by Michelle Bradley. I have no idea what’s taking her so long to get to the races after showing glimpses of talent as a two year but hopefully the patient policy will pay off quickly.
The bookies haven’t missed her despite some more seasoned runners in the field. I was hoping for around $8 but they’ve come up with $6.50 and $2.40.
Let’s do the same bet as last week, one unit over three! Good punting!
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).