Friday Flash for 14th February
Fortuna runners this week are, in Singapore, Sportscaster in the Class 5 1660m on the Poly Friday 14th – Race 1 and Brutus in the Novice 1100m (Poly) on Sunday 15th – Race 6 while here is NZ Beau Geste tackles the Rating 65 Mile at Gisborne on Sunday
Sportscaster disappointed this trip and grade last week after being ridden up from a wide draw to run handy but weakening in the run home. Stripping fitter this week, he gets the services of the gun apprentice Simon Kok, who has ridden 14 winners in Singapore this calendar year and claims 2kgs – Plan is to ride him quieter this week and he gets his chance to atone – Place chance
Brutus has had a solid start to his Singapore career, three starts for two thirds and a head bobbing 2nd. Still a Maiden, he steps up to the one win Novice Grade on Saturday and meets a strong field. Drawn nicely at Barrier 3, he gets K Hakim to ride claiming 4kgs and will only carry 48kgs!!! A talented galloper, he is not without chance in this from the nice draw and featherweight – Place chance
Beau Geste has had two career wins but disappointed somewhat when resuming off a long break over 1400m in January. A dour staying type, they went very quick in that race on a firm track – this Sunday he gets up to 1600m, has the in form apprentice Chelsea Burdan aboard claiming 3kgs – drawn nicely, he will race in behind the speed and can feature – Place chance.
Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –
Tuesday 11th Feb
Plough
Red Jakkal (D Montes de Oca) worked along quite nicely on his own at three quarter pace over 1000 metres.
Thursday 13th Feb
Plough
Red Jakkal (M.Roustoby) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.07, home in 38.2.
Leaderboard (O.Bosson)) worked at three-quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.14, home in 44.