Huge Weekend for Fortuna Runners in NZ and Singapore
Nine starters for Fortuna this weekend, seven in Singapore and two in New Zealand
Friday at New Plymouth sees OUR DRAHMA QUEEN contest a Maiden 1400 metre event. After a nice third on debut at Taupo in September, this 4yo mare has disappointed us a bit in her next two runs, however she has been good in her lead up work and blinkers go on. Matt Cameron will ride from Barrier 6 .
Saturday at Awapuni, SIR DARCI has his 3rd race in his 5yo campaign. His first two outings saw him strike trouble in the straight each time, although he did run 3rd in his last outing at Hastings. Up in trip to 1400 metres and with blinkers on, he gets his chance in the rating 75 event. Up and coming apprentice rider, Dylan Mo, takes the mount and 3kgs off the horses back, from the wide barrier draw of 10.
Friday night in Singapore sees three runners. First away is DOUBLE JEOPARDY who ran a slashing race last time when fresh up from a break at a distance too short for him. This time he steps up to a more suitable 1600 metres on the Polytrack -Race 4, from the nice barrier draw of 4 and has Champion hoop Manoel Nunes in the saddle. Race 6 sees last start winner KING SAVINSKY up in class ( Class 4) over the 1700 metres on the Poly from a lovely draw at 3 and the veteran Alan Munro takes the mount again. The well performed EATONS GOLD tackles a strong Class 3 event over 1000 metres on the poly in race 8. He has a tricky draw from barrier 9 which will test the mettle of horse and rider Rizuan Shafiq, but he is in great form and with luck in the running, can be right in this event.
Sunday evening sees two Fortuna runners in the Restricted Maiden event over 1100 metres – Race 2 – on the Polytrack. 3yo BUTCH CASSIDY (by Darci Brahma) makes his raceday debut in this $75k event – somewhat moderate in his trials to date, trainer Mark Walker has elected to apply the blinkers and engaged the services of one of the strongest riders in Singapore, Alan Munro, drawn barrier 4. In the same event is 3yo Filly LADY IFFRAAJ (by Iffraaj) who has impressed with a smart 2nd and 3rd from her too previous outings in Singapore. Manoel Nunes takes the mount from barrier 3 and she could prove very hard to beat in this event. Race 3 sees one of the Fortuna favourites in Singapore, 6yo READY FORTUNE second up from a break, in a Class 5 1700 metre event. Not the biggest horse in the world at 430kgs ringing wet, he always punches above his weight. Apprentice Zawari who rode him when he last won, takes the mount again from barrier 10 and takes 2kgs off the horses back. Finally in Race 10, the durable OUR RIVER DANCER tackles a Class 5 1600 metre event. Second up from a spell he will be ridden by Rizuan Shafiq from barrier 4.