Friday Flash – 5th March

Fortuna has one runner in NZ and three runners in Singapore this Saturday March 6th

New Zealand

 Leaderboard contests the rating 74 1550 event at Awapuni (race 8 at 4:15 pm) – resuming over 1600 off a long break at Wanganui two weeks ago, he ran a very nice race, going up to win at the 300 meter mark but just coming to the end of his run the last bit to finish 3rd – Jonathan Parkes will ride –  has taken big  improvement from his resuming run and represents as a very good each way chance in this race

Singapore

Marcus Antonius is in the Restricted Maiden  1600 on the Polytrack (race 2 at 6 pm NZ time) –  yet to win in Singapore after nine starts, he has been crying out for 1600 and ran an encouraging fourth place over 1400m start before last – Louis Beuzilin  will ride from barrier five  – this is a very strong field and on form to date, it is hard to be confident that he is a winning chance, but could sneak into the top four provided he has luck in the running and is up to the class

Showbound resumes in the class 5 1000m event (race 5 at 7:30 pm). He has had a good freshen up and races for the first time in class five – has been there or thereabouts and most of his Singapore runs to date without actually winning – certainly presents as a good place chance in this race with the nice draw and top rider in Vlad Duric aboard

Sportscaster contests the class 5 1600 on the Poly track (race 6  at 8pm) – although a half brother to Golden Slipper winner Dance Hero , Sportscaster is a dour staying type who does like to lead in his races –  last raced here 30thJanuary over 1700  – led all the way but died on his run in the last hundred metres  – back to 1600  here and was a close-up second in a trial on Tuesday of this week. Vlad Duric gets back aboard –  He is right in this and represents as a top each way chance – can win

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

1st Pick: SPORTSCASTER (4)

Led last start but condition gave out inside last furlong. Trial second on Tuesday. Shadow roll on. Improved outing expected.

2nd Pick: HARVEST TIME (2)

Finally showed some ability at last start. Will relish extra 200m. Go close.

3rd Pick: RED RIDING WOOD (3)

Form has been hard to work out of late. Blows hot and cold. Winkers and crossover noseband off. Blinker-pacifiers, shadow roll on. Can inject some value to quartets.

4th Pick: ANGEL HALO (6)

Recent form not very inspiring, but won his two races over course and distance, albeit back in 2018 and 2019. Not without a say.

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 2nd March

 Leaderboard (S Parmar) galloped over 1200 metres in 1.18, last 600 in 35.8.

Navalha (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 59.6, home in 43.8.

Soprano Supreme (R Khan) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres.

Ragamuffin (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres.

Thursday 5th March

 Leaderboard (S Parmar) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.27.5, last 600 in 43.8.

 

Other News

Melody Belle was super at Rotorua trials 2nd March, chasing down a tearaway leader to win the trial – this was a very nice hit out ahead of her next start the Group One Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie Saturday 13th of March

Mohawk, our most recent acquisition, is a two-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice  (Sire of the unbeaten Jamie Richards trained Palamos and Golden Slipper 2nd favourite Stay Inside) now in work with Jamie Richards at Matamata and will be aimed to have his first NZ late April – Shares available – Read More HERE

MOHAWK