Friday Flash – 13th June 2025

Published 13 June 2025

VIVACIOUS records 4th Career Win  – Riccarton 11th June 2025 – Bruno Queiroz aboard

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Headline News

VIVACIOUS records back to back wins on the Riccarton Synthetic

Our new OLE KIRK Filly shares are flying out the door – just 4% left – Click HERE to read details and to place order
 

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Fortuna has three runners this weekend, two in NZ, one in Victoria 

Te Rapa – Saturday

HAYATE makes her jumps debut in the Maiden Hurdle over 2800m – Race 1 @11.11am with apprentice Jay Kozaczek, claiming 1kg to ride. Capable on the flat with 4 wins and 13 minor placings to her credit, she has been well schooled over the jumps and won a jumps trial at Cambridge recently – she represents a good each way chance here – TAB says “ Won a Hurdle trial last month – looks a wonner in waiting – can score without a doubt” – Showing $4.40/$1.70

MALBOROUGH BAY contests the R75 1400m event with Stable Apprentice Tayla Melvin, claiming 4kgs,  to ride from an inside barrier – has been a long tine between drinks for this fellow, but always runs honestly – Track will be very testing and so the claim will be a big help -steps back to R75 Grade here after running in open company last start – appears to be over the odds here and can feature – TAB says “Course winner, Trifecta and First 4 chance” – Showing $21/$6

Terang – Sunday

DREAMFLIGHT runs in the Maiden Hurdles over 3200 m with Jordan Hart to ride – is the relative newcomer to the jumping game but has shown steady improvement in his two starts to date – is looking for a wet track and gets it here with the track currently rated at a heavy 10 – can certainly feature in the finish here if things go right – TAB says “improvement needed to feature ” – No odds showing yet. 

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Trackwork – Fortuna RunnersMatamata – 10th June
Inca Belle (T Melvin) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.16.5, last 600 in 45.9.

Riccarton – 10th June

Porcia Catonis (T Solomon) worked over an easy 800 metres in 58.9, home in 41.6.

Matamata – 11th June
Hayate (O Bosson) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.30.9, last 600 in 44.5.

Malborough Bay (M McNab) galloped over an easy 1200 metres in 1.26.7, home in 42.4.

Cranbourne  -11th June

Dreamflight (C Wilson) and Leaderboard (E Wilson) worked over an easy 1600 metres in 1.56.7, last 600 in 38.9.

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Other News

VIVACIOUS records back to back wins on the Riccarton Synthetic

This promising racemare showed an amazing turn of foot to take this event out – Click HERE to see the closing stages replay – full story below

Published 12 June 2025

Impressive winning on the course last start, Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce, by More Than Ready)repeated the dose with another fine victory in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on 11 June at Riccarton (poly-track). After charging home to win the Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 May,the  remained in the same grade, with a two kilo increase to carry 56kg, but had been racing well, brought winning form, and again rated a top three chance.Ridden by the Brazilian jockey, Bruno Queiroz, who won two races earlier aboard stable-mate Queen Of Naples (Darci Brahma), Vivacious chased a genuine speed in eighth, was eight lengths astern at the 600m, and still well back when getting clear at the 300m, before unwinding powerfully to breeze on by over the concluding stages.

It was another terrific performance by a mare destined for higher honours, and, likewise, by a jockey that appears right at home riding on poly-tracks, given his prior experience in Singapore.

Click HERE to see the race replay

On course, assistant trainer Hunter Durrant said: “Once she lets down, she’s got a great turn of foot and it was an easy watch over the last 100 metres. But top of the straight I was questioning it. We’ve always rated her. Beginning of spring last year, we had a really high opinion of her, but it’s just taken us a bit to get her back to this. I think we’ve got the best of her now. These mares that we keep happy, they’ll run through walls for you, and I think that’s the key to it.”

In the race named Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 21 June, Vivacious ran 1200 metres in a polished 1:09.7 and paid $2.40 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

VIVACIOUS – 4th career win – Riccarton 11th June 2025 – Bruno Queiroz aboard

“It was a terrific win by Vivacious, she’s really starting to come of age and just got stronger,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. She’s been a slower maturing mare, but now as a four-year-old, in the back end of this season and into next season looks quite exciting for her. She’ll only continue to improve with age. It was another lovely ride of Bruno’s and Hunter (Durrant) has got the team humming along beautifully at Riccarton.”

Walker said that Vivacious would now be freshened in preparation for the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (Special Conditions) on Wednesday 6 August at Riccarton, on the middle day of Grand National Week at the course.

Owned by Fortuna Vivacious Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $60,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Riverrock Farm and has an ownership group consisting of 54 individuals“Back-to-back wins, carrying two kilograms more, she looked to be a hopeless chance on the home turn, but once again she showed a really strong turn of foot,” said John Galvin. “It was very, very, pleasing. It was a lovely ride by Bruno (Queiroz). I thought he was in a bit of trouble turning for home, but he managed to get her off heels and, in the end, she was far too strong. I certainly think she’s got the quality to contest the race we’re now targeting there in August. We’ve always held her in high regard and a mare that in time we believe could be a black type winner. She’s now starting to really show what she’s capable of and leaving no doubts as to her ability.”

Vivacious is by remarkable racehorse Dundeel (High Chaparral), who stamped himself as well above average from the day he blew his two-year-old rivals off the track on debut over 1200 metres at Ellerslie. The six-time Group One winner gained titles on both sides of the Tasman: Champion 3YO and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, and Champion Middle Distance horse in Australia. He ended his racing career winning the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) and his progeny have been highly sought after. So much so, that Dundeel has created a stud career on par with his racing deeds, and along with Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, and stable star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), he joined a total of 10 recent inductees to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

The dam side of pedigree of Vivacious is also particularly rich. Incredibly, world renowned dam-sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo) is one of only six stallions to have sired in excess of 200 stakes winners, with 26 Group One winners among them. He has been Champion Sire in both hemispheres, proved an outstanding sire of sires and going from strength-to-strength as a broodmare sire. Vivacious carries a bloodline cross to immortal sire Northern Dancer. Her dam, Vivi Veloce, was a Group Three winner over 1200 metres in Australia, and grand-dam Royal Sash (Royal Academy) also won at Group Three level among five wins to 1400 metres.

Vivacious was strapped by Talib Hussain.


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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Des has delivered some great results for his regular subscribers recently – Last Sunday, he provided the winners of the first six races on the seven race card (two selections per race) and at the Tuesday double header meetings, 16 collects out of the 18 races

Here is what Des has for our readers this week 

Greetings John and Fortuna followers

Hard on the heels of some wonderful jumping at Trentham on Saturday with stand out showings by Billy Boy, Jesko and Yolo, we move on to Te Rapa for the Waikato Hurdles and Steeples amongst two other jumps races.

It goes without saying that the three horses mentioned above are all top liners in the making and they’ll be winning their share this winter. Also worth noting there wasn’t one fall last Saturday although a few jockeys did the right thing and pulled their horses out of the race when clearly beaten.
Here are my 3 jumpers worth following this weekend and beyond:

The Cossack: he’s aiming for three Waikato Steeples in a row and get this he’s either won the Waikato Hurdles, the Brown Memorial ‘Chase or two Waikato Steeples at this meeting since 2021. He will have to get past stablemate Nedwin but many fans will be cheering him on.

Taika: Waikato Hurdles 
He has now won 4 hurdles and as it was only his second run this year when winning on the track a fortnight ago he should continue to improve. He’s another who likes it here.

Countryman: Roger and Ken Browne Memorial:
His third over hurdles at Trentham last Saturday was the pointer for the bigger fences in the Roger and Ken Browne Memorial. He’s a big player.

There’s so much going on in the news of racing and some of its sad. I’ve dissected the week the best way possible with a question time scenario.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

1 What an emotional time it’s been for racing. A week ago the CD team lost long respected owner Denis Leamy of Ashhurst; he was 81. Those heavenly skies shone 6 days following his passing at Trentham last Saturday with his horse Billy Boy a convincing winner of the Awapuni Hurdles?
2. Speaking of Billy Boy, did you know that a horse with the same won the Wellington Steeples in 1932 and 1934?
3. While the track was a heavy 10 “officially” last Saturday at Trentham and at New Plymouth on Tuesday
“unofficially” it was a heavy 11 at both venues.  I’m not convinced the official change is in the best of interest of punters, are you?
4. The passing of bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, Herb Rauhihi and a fortnight ago, the hall of famer, Syd Brown, who all played a major role in the CD and often further afield, adds so much sadness to the region wouldn’t you say?
5. What a legacy Syd Brown left? Recently Bjorn Baker, who’s low flying  in Sydney, mentioned how he learnt from his dad, the great man, Murray, who in turn learnt from another great man, Noel Eales, who himself was a prodigy of Syd Brown. All champions wouldn’t you agree. With so much historical hand me down  knowledge no wonder Bjorn is a beaut!
6. Did you know outstanding winger Stu Wilson answered the call to play alongside Bernie Fraser in a charity racing –  rugby match at Fraser Park in Wellington about 45 years ago? It was the day after a test match at Eden Park? “Just kick off and run off” I said to Stu. He replied “nah, I’ll bring my boots and play half a game” –  and he did! ( check out Noel Harris’s book; it was the day Noel sidestepped Bernie Fraser to score a try)! RIP Stu!
7. Will Per Incanto hold on to win his first Centaine award over Savabeel this season? For the record the Centaine criteria is around all stallions whose Nz conceived progeny have accumulated the highest stake earnings world wide. Per Incanto currently sits on $19m and  change to Savabeel’s $17.2m. Savabeel has won this award 9 years on the trot!
8. Per Incanto, by the way, is the dam sire of world champion sprinter’s Ka Ying Rising who’s been confirmed as a definite starter in $20m Everest in the spring. Who would’ve thought his dam, Missy Moo, who ran second last in her very  last race start in the 2019 Wellington Cup, would ultimately become more famous than the Wellington Cup winner, Gorbachev?
9. Chris Waller, with 19 group ones in a season, has the most elite wins of any trainer in a season in Australian history after Joliestar’s big win  last Saturday in Brisbane . How good when it was achieved with fellow kiwis  J-Mac and Brendan and Jo Lyndsay?
10. Lisa Allpress, who turned 50 the other week, is not finished with riding. She’s keen to make it a softly-softly return to the track in her quest to ride 2000 winners and she’s progessing well after that nasty kick behind the barrier on Cup Day at Trentham. She has 44 wins to go to reach her personal goal and significant milestone.

In the meantime why don’t you seriously consider joining  Lisa and myself on the Sporting Tours Melbourne Cup Tour this year? If it’s on your bucket list this will be a great year to tick it off. Email me if you’re keen dcoppins@xtra.co.nz

Have a great weekend and good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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VIVACIOUS makes it back to back wins at Riccarton 11th June 2025

Published 12 June 2025

Impressive winning on the course last start, Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce, by More Than Ready) repeated the dose with another fine victory in the $17,000 Rating 75 1200 metres on 11 June at Riccarton (poly-track). After charging home to win the Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 May,the  remained in the same grade, with a two kilo increase to carry 56kg, but had been racing well, brought winning form, and again rated a top three chance.

Ridden by the Brazilian jockey, Bruno Queiroz, who won two races earlier aboard stable-mate Queen Of Naples (Darci Brahma), Vivacious chased a genuine speed in eighth, was eight lengths astern at the 600m, and still well back when getting clear at the 300m, before unwinding powerfully to breeze on by over the concluding stages.It was another terrific performance by a mare destined for higher honours, and, likewise, by a jockey that appears right at home riding on poly-tracks, given his prior experience in Singapore.

Click HERE to see the race replay

On course, assistant trainer Hunter Durrant said: “Once she lets down, she’s got a great turn of foot and it was an easy watch over the last 100 metres. But top of the straight I was questioning it. We’ve always rated her. Beginning of spring last year, we had a really high opinion of her, but it’s just taken us a bit to get her back to this. I think we’ve got the best of her now. These mares that we keep happy, they’ll run through walls for you, and I think that’s the key to it.”

In the race named Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 21 June, Vivacious ran 1200 metres in a polished 1:09.7 and paid $2.40 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

VIVACIOUS – 4th career win – Riccarton 11th June 2025 – Bruno Queiroz aboard

“It was a terrific win by Vivacious, she’s really starting to come of age and just got stronger,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson. She’s been a slower maturing mare, but now as a four-year-old, in the back end of this season and into next season looks quite exciting for her. She’ll only continue to improve with age. It was another lovely ride of Bruno’s and Hunter (Durrant) has got the team humming along beautifully at Riccarton.”

Walker said that Vivacious would now be freshened in preparation for the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (Special Conditions) on Wednesday 6 August at Riccarton, on the middle day of Grand National Week at the course.

Owned by Fortuna Vivacious Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $60,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Riverrock Farm and has an ownership group consisting of 54 individuals

“Back-to-back wins, carrying two kilograms more, she looked to be a hopeless chance on the home turn, but once again she showed a really strong turn of foot,” said John Galvin. “It was very, very, pleasing. It was a lovely ride by Bruno (Queiroz). I thought he was in a bit of trouble turning for home, but he managed to get her off heels and, in the end, she was far too strong. I certainly think she’s got the quality to contest the race we’re now targeting there in August. We’ve always held her in high regard and a mare that in time we believe could be a black type winner. She’s now starting to really show what she’s capable of and leaving no doubts as to her ability.”

Vivacious is by remarkable racehorse Dundeel (High Chaparral), who stamped himself as well above average from the day he blew his two-year-old rivals off the track on debut over 1200 metres at Ellerslie. The six-time Group One winner gained titles on both sides of the Tasman: Champion 3YO and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, and Champion Middle Distance horse in Australia. He ended his racing career winning the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) and his progeny have been highly sought after. So much so, that Dundeel has created a stud career on par with his racing deeds, and along with Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, and stable star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), he joined a total of 10 recent inductees to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

The dam side of pedigree of Vivacious is also particularly rich. Incredibly, world renowned dam-sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo) is one of only six stallions to have sired in excess of 200 stakes winners, with 26 Group One winners among them. He has been Champion Sire in both hemispheres, proved an outstanding sire of sires and going from strength-to-strength as a broodmare sire. Vivacious carries a bloodline cross to immortal sire Northern Dancer. Her dam, Vivi Veloce, was a Group Three winner over 1200 metres in Australia, and grand-dam Royal Sash (Royal Academy) also won at Group Three level among five wins to 1400 metres.

Vivacious was strapped by Talib Hussain.

Friday Flash – 6th June 2025

Published 6 June 2025

PORCIA CATONIS – 2nd Career Win – 29th May 2025 – Hayley Hassman aboard

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Headline News 
 

Today is the 80th Anniversary of D – Day and we pay tribute to those hundreds of thousands of men and women from a coalition of “free nations” who put aside their differences to come together and defeat a barbarous common enemy 

 

Fortuna acquires an Ole Kirk Filly at Magic Millions Sale

Chris Waller speaks out on prizemoney

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Fortuna has no runners this weekend but note that VIVACIOUS and ANGELS WINGS are to be nominated to run at Riccarton 11th June
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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata 
No timed Fortuna Runners trackwork this week

Riccarton – 3rd June

Vivacious (T Solomon) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.09.6, home in 38.9.

Cranbourne  
No timed Fortuna Runners trackwork this week

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Other News

Fortuna acquires an Ole Kirk Filly at Magic Millions Sale

OLE KIRK – EMPRESS ALI YEARLING FILLY

Fortuna Racing secures a strong, powerful Filly by first season Sire sensation Ole Kirk from the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale 

We went into the sale with four lovely yearlings on our shortlist, although in the end two of those failed their vet check, so we were left with two and we were keen to buy both of them, however the first one, who was the full sister to the Fortuna 2yo Filly Marokopa Falls, whom we bought at this sale last year, went over our budget – however we got lucky with this lovely Ole Kirk Filly, whom we were able to secure significantly under budget – read all about this beautiful Filly below and you can see her parading at the link below also

PEDIGREE

By Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), the Champion 3yo Colt in Aus 2020/21 and the winner of the two Group Ones as a 3yo, the Caulfield Guineas and the Golden Rose – he has commenced his Stud career in sensational fashion with 11 winners (15 wins) from just 22 runners, including 5 Stakes winners and leads the 1st Season Sires table in Australia over Wootten Bassett and Farnan

The Dam, Empress Ali (Holy Roman Empire) won 6 times in the UK from 9 Furlongs to 11 Furlongs and has one foal to the races (Thunder Gulch) who is a winner in Australia – she is a half sister to Shared Ambition who won 8 times at trips from 1600m to 2800m in Ireland and Australia, winning at Group 3 level (ATCNeville Sellwood Stakes) and 2nd placings at Group 2 level (MRC Peter Young Stakes, Moonee Valley Gold Cup and the ATC Kingston Town Stakes), collecting just under A$1m in the process

Click HERE to see her pedigree

Physical Type

A Filly of genuine size, she is an early October foal with a strong free flowing walk – you can see her parade Video  HERE – Mark Walker had picked her out from the Video Clips as one for our list and our on site Team of David Ellis, Marcus Corban and Mikey Grey, all loved her physical type when they conducted physical inspections

Mark Walker comments “Beautiful Filly, wonderful walk, great hindquarter, she really caught my eye when I was going through the parade videos – she is by a high flying 1st season Stallion in Ole Kirk, who is taking all before him as a freshman Sire and she is out of an Irish bred multi time winning racemare from a family with considerable Black Type success in the UK and Europe. She was bought for incredible value as John and Dave had a budget of A$150k for her and managed to secure her for just A$65k. Looking ahead, I think she can run as a 2yo, but will definitely train on as a 3yo and she has 1000 Guineas type written all over her”

John says “It was an interesting day for us on day two of the sale – on day one we had had a couple on our original list but they failed the vet and so on day two we had just two Fillies on our list and we were prepared to buy both of them – the first one was the full sister to Marokopa Falls (lot 1406) whom we bought at this sale last year and I thought that we had a really good chance to secure her within budget, but she was chased down by another party who seemed to have an unlimited budget and then with the Ole Kirk Filly (lot 1470), I was doubtful if we could secure her within budget, but in the end, she was knocked down to the bid of David Ellis for less than half her budget – its a funny old game at times, but just rapt that we have secured her”

Ongoing Plans

Having secured this Filly at an Australian sale, we are open minded about where she will eventually finish up to race, but what we have decided to do is to keep her in Queensland where the weather is significantly warmer than it is in New Zealand, have her broken in by Julian Blaxland and his team at Newington Farm, about an hour from the Gold Coast – Julian has broken in 80 years this year to date and is a great horseman with a great set up  – click HERE to see their website – on top of that Julian’s wife, Kacy Blaxland, is a licenced trainer and so after our Filly has been broken, Kacy will give her an initial preparation and then give us an opinion as to whether she would be better suited to Australian or New Zealand conditions – at this stage our own view is that she probably is going to be well suited to Cranbourne rather than Matamata, but we are open minded on that and will await Kacy and Julian’s opinion

The Numbers

All up, she will be syndicated for NZ$130,000 – this includes her purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Magic Millions Series Fee, Insurance to 31 Jan 2026 and working capital of just under $14k

10% share is NZ$13k, 5% NZ$6.5k, 2.5% NZ$3.25k, 1% NZ$1.3k – ongoing costs are NZ$60 per month per each 1% commencing 1 August 2025

Syndication paperwork is still being finalised, but what we are doing at this stage is taking “expressions of interest and if you give an expression of interest it means you are guaranteed whatever percentage you have advised and then once you have had the opportunity of perusing the finalised paperwork, you can make a final decision – all you need to do to go on the list is respond to this email with your preferred percentage.

Note that this Filly is registered for the Magic Millions Race Series – this is a Series of 28 races across Australia carrying in excess A$20m of prizemoney and only runners registered for this Series are eligible to be nominated – Click HERE to see detail

Just email a response to this update to express interest or call/text John 021 921 460

OLE KIRK – EMPRESS ALI YEARLING FILLY
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Chris Waller speaks out on prizemoney

Waller’s prize point – Is it time to slay the prize money beast?
By Bren O’Brien – The Straight – June 03, 2025Australia’s leading trainer of the past decade, Chris Waller, believes the prize money in his adopted country has reached a tipping point and it is time to take a step back. Bren O’Brien examines how ever-increasing returns to owners led to Australian racing’s inflationary bubble.  

As Chris Waller surged past $50 million in prize money for the second straight season recently, the man himself took time to reflect on the current challenges facing Australian racing. Responding to the outcome of the divisive Rosehill debate in his weekly CWR preview video, one of the few forums where Waller has been open and honest about his concerns over the past 12 months, the champion trainer advocated for a minor reset.

“Maybe we have to look at prize money and just have a little bit of a cut, put some money into facilities, infrastructure and plan for the future, not just beg all the time,” he said.

There has arguably not been a racing participant in the country who has done as well out of the record prize money levels of the past decade as Waller. His horses have compiled over $420 million in earnings since 2014/15, of which he is entitled to 10 per cent. On Saturday, his stable took 30 horses to the races across five venues, and while Waller was unable to secure a win, his runners still banked over $140,000 in prize money. That was, quite literally, an average day for Waller, with that daily amount expanded out across the racing year worth $50 million annually.

This is not a criticism of Waller, who is within one Group 1 win of the seasonal Australian record, but a reflection of the effectiveness of scale as a business model when it comes to training. Both he and Ciaron Maher have had over 2000 starters this year, and both have their lowest winning strike-rate in over a decade. Yet both will easily break the previous Australian prize money record of $51.7 million, set by Waller last year – Maher already has $56.2 million

That level of Australian prize money – which grew from $528.8 million in 2014/15 to $985.8 million in 2023/24  – would not be an issue if all other aspects of the industry were in strong financial health. But as Waller himself acknowledged, there is little point having some of the world’s best prize money if infrastructure is being left behind. Three weeks ago, referring to the standalone Gosford meeting, which featured a $500,000 race, Waller suggested the race could be worth $450,000, with the additional $50,000 put into track maintenance.

Waller plays his politics carefully, but he does use the forum of the weekly preview, hosted by Charlie Duckworth, as an opportunity to air his grievances. Prize money allocation has become one of those, as has the financial status of the clubs.

“We need some guidance, some good leadership and … they can easily get things back on track,” he said last week. “They can get a better relationship with Racing NSW, ATC if they’re not getting enough money, so sort it out and get more members. We’ve only got 11,000 members, we need 100,000.”

Waller is far from the first to raise these concerns, but he is by far the most prominent,   And these issues are far from localised within Waller’s base of NSW. Last week, Racing Victoria announced its annual schedule of racing for the 2025/26 season. But conspicuous in its absence was the schedule of prize money to go with this. That is still being worked on and is due to be announced in July.

Racing Victoria has a much-publicised budgetary issue. Last year, it recorded an $11.4 million loss, and while CEO Aaron Morrison has sought to address it with cost-cutting, including a round of redundancies last month, as well as a reduction in the number of meetings, there is increasing pressure on sustaining metropolitan prize money at its current level. In 2014/15, the top 10 trainers in Victoria earned $48.2 million in total prize money. With two months remaining of the current campaign, that figure stands at $78.6 million. And it’s not just trainers. The top 10 Victorian jockeys collected $41.1 million in prize money receipts a decade ago, while this year that figure stands at $74.8 million to this point of the campaign.

Prize money grew off the back of increased turnover through this period, which in turn saw more funding returned to racing, through race fields fees, and later, through Point Of Consumption Tax returns. Those who argue against prize money reductions say that the expense of doing business, particularly training, has skyrocketed over the last decade. Anyone who has been on the wrong end of an owners’ bill in recent times can certainly attest to this. But the beast of record prize money has fed an inflationary system, also driving bloodstock values ever higher, to the point where the market has become polarised. Smaller trainers and smaller breeders are wearing the cost and exiting in droves.

There has never been as much money in Australian racing as there has been in the past five years, but there is also evidence that never has there been so many finding it hard to make it work.

The concern, as Waller alluded to, is that the industry during the post-pandemic boom, may have squandered a generational opportunity to invest in tracks and other infrastructure, and lay the platform for generations to come. Hopefully, his clarion call, and the influence it carries, has not come too late.


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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week 

Greetings John and the Fortuna Team

Farewell autumn and hello winter!

Well done on Leaderboard’s brave second behind the outstanding weight carrier Stern Idol in last week’s Australian Steeplechase. The lighter weighted Fortuna multi tasker made up a couple of lengths on the winner after jumping the last fence and proved yet again what a versatile horse he is.

Of the three I penciled in last week the 10 to one chance Te Atatu Dream went down fighting while Cypress was clearly in need of the run and Dusty Road didn’t disgrace after finishing out of the money after copping a check from race rival Lux Libertas halfway up the straight. All three should be given another chance.

Before putting  three in the hat for Saturday and beyond let’s first pass on my editorial piece for the week.

10 QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Is Amber Riddell potentially the best amateur turned professional since Jason Collett?

2. Did you know that the once premiership champion Rogerson stable had a 52 losing sequence before making it back in style with a treble at Cambridge midweek?

3. Has there been a better exponent of synthetic racing in NZ than Lhasa, who lumped 62kgs to win his 6th at Cambridge on Wednesday?

4. If Pride of Jenni was yours would you say enough is enough and now let’s find a suitable sire?

5. It looks like more than 24 NZ trainers will surpass one million in stakes won this season. Before Entain came on board, did you know the highest number of “million earners” in stakes won by our trainers was just 11?

6. Craig Grylls has twice as many wins on the current premiership than second placed Michael McNab at time of writing ( 134 – 65 ). How staggering is that?

7. While the much liked “Gryllsy” wouldn’t be complaining on stakes won this season which is close to $6m, that amount of money would only have him 12th on the NSW premiership. In saying that he’s only about $50k short of the all time stakes record set last year by Warren Kennedy and that’s truly  outstanding isn’t it?

8. Has there ever been a more consistent jumper in NZ in modern times than West Coast. For the record he’s had 19 jumps races for 12 wins, 5 seconds and two thirds. In other words he’s never been out of the money over jumps.What a drawcard isn’t he therefore in the Awapuni Hurdles on Saturday at Trentham?

8. If he wins it’ll be West Coast’s second hurdle win – he won his maiden here two years ago at Trentham – and how about this if gets the job done it’ll celebrate yet another Awapuni Hurdles for trainer Mark Oulaghan whose winning record in this race date dates back 33 years ago with Ipso Facto?

9. For the sake of our jumps jockeys and jumps trainers, (some who have been around as long as Mark) don’t you wish them a safe and rewarding season? They deserve it!

10.  When scrolling through the Kings Birthday honours list did you give a big smile when reading the dame hood bestowed on LA Stud Catriona Williams? Despite her riding accident which has left her as a tetraplegic for over  20 years her work to find a cure in the spinal research holds no bounds. She oozes quality and an honour richly deserved and so say all of us!

My three to follow this weekend:

It’ll be almost gumboot day at Trentham on Saturday.

Yolo ( Kevin Myers) is half sister to 2016 Great Northern Steeples winner Kick Back and looks ready to go one better in race one at Trentham after a bold second in the jumps arena on Monday at Te Aroha.

So Call Me ( Kevin Myers), from all accounts has been good at the hunts and/ or trials over jumps and with his ability to plough through the heavy stuff there should be money for him in a big way in race two.

West Coast, race 3.
Just 4 starts over hurdles but surely a weight special!

Good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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Fortuna Racing secures an outstanding Yearling Filly at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale

Published 5 June 2025

OLE KIRK – EMPRESS ALI YEARLING FILLY


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Fortuna Racing secures a strong, powerful Filly by first season Sire sensation Ole Kirk from the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale 

We went into the sale with four lovely yearlings on our shortlist, although in the end two of those failed their vet check, so we were left with two and we were keen to buy both of them, however the first one, which was the full sister to the Fortuna 2yo Filly Marokopa Falls, who we bought at the sale last year, went over our budget – however we got lucky with this lovely Ole Kirk Filly, who we were able to secure at significantly under budget – read all about this beautiful Filly below and you can see her parading at the link below also

PEDIGREE

By Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), the Champion 3yo Colt in Aus 2020/21 and the winner of the two Group Ones as a 3yo, the Caulfield Guineas and the Golden Rose – he has commenced his Stud career in sensational fashion with 11 winners (15 wins) from just 22 runners, including 5 Stakes winners and leads the 1st Season Sires table in Australia over Wootten Bassett and Farnan

The Dam, Empress Ali (Holy Roman Empire) won 6 times in the UK from 9 Furlongs to 11 Furlongs and has one foal to the races (Thunder Gulch) who is a winner in Australia – she is a half sister to Shared Ambition who won 8 times at trips from 1600m to 2800m in Ireland and Australia, winning at Group 3 level (ATCNeville Sellwood Stakes) and 2nd placings at Group 2 level (MRC Peter Young Stakes, Moonee Valley Gold Cup and the ATC Kingston Town Stakes), collecting just under A$1m in the process

Click HERE to see her pedigree

Physical Type

A Filly of genuine size, she is an early October foal with a strong free flowing walk – you can see her parade Video  HERE – Mark Walker had picked her out from the Video Clips as one for our list and our on site Team of David Ellis, Marcus Corban and Mikey Grey, all loved her physical type when they conducted physical inspections

Mark Walker comments “Beautiful Filly, wonderful walk, great hindquarter, she really caught my eye when I was going through the parade videos – she is by a high flying 1st season Stallion in Ole Kirk, who is taking all before him as a freshman Sire and she is out of an Irish bred multi time winning racemare from a family with considerable Black Type success in the UK and Europe. She was bought for incredible value as John and Dave had a budget of A$150k for her and managed to secure her for just A$65k. Looking ahead, I think she can run as a 2yo, but will definitely train on as a 3yo and she has 1000 Guineas type written all over her”

John says “it was an interesting day for us on day two of the sale – on day one we had had a couple on our original list but they failed the vet and so on day two we had just two Fillies on our list and we were prepared to buy both of them – the first one was the full sister to Marokopa Falls (lot 1406) who we bought at this sale last year and I thought that we had a really good chance to secure her within budget, but she was chased down by another party who seemed to have an unlimited budget and then with the Ole Kirk Filly (lot 1470), I was doubtful if we could secure her within budget, but in the end, she was knocked down to the bid of David Ellis for less than half her budget – its a funny old game at times, but just rapt that we have secured her”

Ongoing Plans

Having secured this Filly at an Australian sale, we are open minded about where she will eventually finish up to race, but what we have decided to do is to keep her in Queensland where the weather is significantly warmer than it is in New Zealand, have her broken in by Julian Blaxland and his team at Newington Farm, about an hour from the Gold Coast – Julian has broken in 80 years this year to date and is a great horseman with a great set up  – click HERE to see their website – on top of that Julian’s wife, Kacy, is a licenced trainer and so after our Filly has been broken, she will give her an initial preparation and then give us an opinion as to whether she would be better suited to Australian or New Zealand conditions – at this stage our own view is that she probably is going to be well suited to Cranbourne rather than Matamata, but we are open minded on that and will await Kacy and Julian’s opinion

The Numbers

All up, she will be syndicated for NZ$130,000 – this includes her purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Magic Millions Series Fee (this gives potential entry to A$20m of races restricted to those runners who are Series registered), Insurance to 31 Jan 2026 and working capital of just under $14k

10% share is NZ$13k, 5% NZ$6.5k, 2.5% NZ$3.25k, 1% NZ$1.3k – ongoing costs are NZ$60 per month per each 1% commencing 1 August 2025

Syndication paperwork is still being finalised, but what we are doing at this stage is taking “expressions of interest and if you give an expression of interest it means you are guaranteed whatever percentage you have advised and then once you have had the opportunity of perusing the finalised paperwork you can make a final decision – all you need to do to go on the list is respond to this email with your preferred percentage.

Click HERE for the link to express interest

OLE KIRK – EMPRESS ALI YEARLING FILLY

Friday Flash – 30th May 2025

Published 30 May 2025

PORCIA CATONIS – 2nd Career Win – 29th May 2025 – Hayley Hassman aboard

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Headline News

PORCIA CATONIS wins again

Australian Turf Club Members vote “NO” to Rosehill Sale

Team Te Akau head to the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale 2nd/3rd June

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Fortuna has five runners Friday – Sunday, two in NZ, three in Victoria

Bendigo  – Friday

WEST INDIES runs in the BM58 2200m  event – Race 6 @ 3.30pm Aus time and will be ridden by Stable Apprentice Sage Duric, claiming 3kgs, from a wide draw – drew wide last time, got back on a very firm track and was forced to race against the pattern – wide again here, but this is easier – TAB says “West Indies was 4th in the VRC St Leger two back which augers well for this –  ran on late last time and this race is easier, so have to include on best form”” – No Odds Showing Yet

Te Rapa – Saturday

INCA BELLE contests the R65 1300m event – Race 5 @ 2.40pm NZT time and will be ridden by the in form George Rooke from Barrier 12  TAB says “Inca Belle has drawn out once more – this Mare has been placed in both of her course runs – Quinella and Trifecta must in this” – Showing $14 /$4.20 Fixed Odds

Wanganui – Saturday

RAGAMUFFIN races in the R75 2040 event – Race 8 @ 3.42pm NZT time and will be ridden by Premiership leading Craig Grylls from Barrier 7 – Is racing in great form and steps up in trip for this  TAB says “Going well” – Showing $8.50/$2.80 Fixed Odds

Sandown – Sunday

LEADERBOARD contests the Australian Steeples over 3900m – Race 2 @ 12.30pm Aus time time and will be ridden by  Will Gordon from the Ace barrier – Fell in sensational fashion when going like a winner at Warnambool 29th April, but had won his two previous races over the big fences prior – gets into this race beautifully at the weights  – TAB says “on his best form is sure to prove hard to beat” – Showing $3.70/$1.26 Fixed Odds

Moe – Sunday

ZEDWILLDO races in the BM 58 event over 1628m – Race 10 @ 4.05pm Aus time time and will be ridden by Paul Gatt from a wide draw – broke maidens over a trip in December was then spelled and resumed over 1400 m at Werribee 16th of May where he was well beaten at a trip far too short for him – will have taken good improvement from that and steps up and trip here – a definite staying type, he will need a longer trip than this but should be running home strongly at the finish – watch and wait – No guidance or Odds from TAB up yet
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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

 

Matamata – 26th May

Inca Belle (C Barnes) and galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.07.5, home in 39.2.
Riccarton – 26th May

Vivacious (H Durrant) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.06.7, last 600 in 38.9.

Cranbourne  – 26th May

Leaderboard (L Winks) worked over 1600 metres in 1.45.6, last 600 in 40.8.

Dreamflight (C Anderson) and West Indies (S Duric) worked over 1600 metres in 1.40.7, final 600 in 37.9.

Matamata – 27th May

Inca Belle (H Hassman) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.08.8, last 600 in 40.3.

Cranbourne  – 27th May

West Indies (S Duric) worked over 1600 metres in 1.48.4, final 600 in 40.6.

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Other News

PORCIA CATONIS makes it two wins from three stars at Riccarton 29th May

(If you did not see this race, the Replay is a “must watch” featuring a last to first finish, with a 3 length margin at the line)

Recent course/distance winner Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather, by Cape Blanco) sailed home again in the $17,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 May at Riccarton. Having responded well to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 1 May, Porcia Catonis finished sixth after contesting a genuine pace in the Pearl Series 1400 metres on 15 May, and the race looked an ideal opportunity to bounce back as a top three chance. Ridden quietly on this occasion by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (claiming 4kgs), who guided stable-mate Sense Of Timing (Time Test) to a stunning win last Saturday at Te Rapa, Porcia Catonis reversed the pattern of her previous start by settling second last. Although back to last just inside the 600m, a genuine pace had ensued, and once drawn widest in the straight she joined in for fun before clearing out to win by nearly three lengths.

PORCIA CATONIS – 2nd Career Win – 29th May 2025 – Hayley Hassman aboard

“That was a really strong win by Porcia Catonis,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson. “Hayley is riding in great form, she’ll be down to a three-kilo claim before we know it, but the filly really quickened when she presented her and that’s a sign a rider being able to balance them up properly in the straight. Her previous run had us wondering, but she won with a lot of authority today. The progeny of Super Seth, they’re just continuing to get better and better with racing experience, and he’s a very exciting New Zealand based sire.”

In the race named Thank You Brad Thistoll, who managed the crossing on track work mornings at Riccarton, Porcia Catonis took her record to two wins and a second, from four starts on the poly-track, ran 1400 metres in 1:23.2, and paid $6.70 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the Race Replay

Owned by Fortuna Porcia Catonis Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $110,000 by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds.

“That was quite impressive,” said John Galvin, who had watched the race from his Hamilton home. “She won her Maiden very well, off a wide draw, then disappointed us a bit last time after racing on the speed, which was a head-scratcher, but she came to life today after being ridden off the pace and zoomed down the outside of the track. She had the draw (2) last time, so we looked to utilize that, but it seems she prefers to settle off the pace and get home strongly. The (poly-track) surface is agreeing with her and it was another nice victory, to make it two for the owners in a month. I’m pleased for Hayley (Hassman), she’s riding out of her skin at the moment. Obviously, she took four kilograms off what was already a lightish weight, to carry 52.5kg, and that is a big help. Well done to the training team, Mark and Sam, Hunter (Durrant), there at Riccarton – Porcia Catonis is starting to build a reasonably impressive CV at this early stage of her career.”

Porcia Catonis is a daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth (Dundeel), whose oldest crop three-year-olds have been to the fore this season with three Group One wins in Australasia, including her Te Akau stable-mate La Dorada who won the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) following victories in both the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) to secure front-running for Champion Two-Year-Old honours.

Super Seth made a fantastic impact as a three-year-old colt, especially when ‘coming from nowhere’ to beat race favourite Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) in the Caulfield Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Super Seth is a son of six-time Group One winner Dundeel, a recent inductee to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, and a very good sire in Australia, with 73 stakes wins including 14 Group One, in turn by sire of sires High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells). Porcia Catonis carries a bloodline cross to breed shaping sire Sadler’s Well (Northern Dancer) through her two sire lines.

Porcia Catonis is raced by the Fortuna Porcia Catonis Syndicate, an ownership group of 64 individuals and was strapped by Leah Norvall.

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Australian Turf Club Members vote “NO” to Rosehill Sale

Members reject ATC’s Rosehill proposal
By Warwick Barr – May 27, 2025

Australian Turf Club members have voted against a controversial proposal to sell Rosehill racecourse for housing during an extraordinary general meeting. Marking the end of a chapter of a saga that has divided the NSW racing industry, the ATC membership rejected the plan first publicly pitched by chairman Peter McGauran and the NSW government in December 2023. At the time, NSW Premier Chris Minns described the potential sale as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” that would provide 25,000 new homes in Sydney amid the city’s housing shortage.

During a meeting that insiders say became “hostile”, the “no” vote gained 56.1 per cent, or 4413 of the 7864 received. “Yes” received 3451. There are more than 11,500 members of the ATC. McGauran insisted a sale was vital to future-proof Sydney racing, claiming the ATC is suffering severe financial pressure as wagering turnover declines. Under the terms of the proposal, the ATC would sell the western Sydney racetrack to the NSW government for a $5 billion asking price.

Addressing the media after the ballot, McGauran said: “I am disappointed that the vote wasn’t successful but I understand why people opposed it. I always saw it as both an opportunity and a necessity. An opportunity to completely change and modernise in the face of declining attendance, declining membership as well as necessity (during a) wagering downturn. Racing is not the dominant, nor let alone cultural pursuit, that it once was.”

Asked if he would step down from the board as a result of the vote, McGauran vowed to continue his role as an independent director and chairman.
“I believe (the proposal) was in the best interests of the club and of racing and so no, I won’t be retiring,” he said. “I serve as chairman at the pleasure of the board and so that’s always within their power but I don’t intend to resign.”

Despite the sale proposal causing a split among the ATC’s seven-member board and earning widespread industry condemnation from high-profile figures such as Gai Waterhouse, McGauran insists relationships can be mended. “I think we’ll come together very quickly because we all love racing,” he said. “There are obviously strong differences of opinions about how we fund and develop racing for the future. I don’t think there will be personal enmities going forward, but there will still remain strong differences of opinion as to how we shape the future.”

The ATC said it would use the proceeds to fund a $1.9 billion suite of upgrades to its remaining tracks, including $802 million on two new racetracks and new facilities at Warwick Farm. A new training centre to replace Rosehill was planned for land on which the Penrith Golf Club currently sits. Details of how the ATC would spend the windfall emerged after an April 3 vote was called off following a Racing NSW directive to provide more details on the proposal.

But McGauran warned the broader NSW racing industry should now be prepared for monetary pain as he foreshadowed reduced prize money and a review of the ATC’s expenditure.
“What we have to do is go back to core business, seek to reduce our operating costs where we can, discuss with Racing NSW and the state government how we can better align with their objectives and strategies,” McGauran said. “The funding would have transformed the entire Sydney racing scene for the next 100 years as it would have funded with certainty the ATC, non-dependent on wagering income. I am disappointed that we’ll never have the funding to better cement ourselves in the mind of the wider community who have a declining – rapidly so – interest in racing.  We’ll have to squeeze the lemon even drier because we are dependent on wagering and wagering is turning down. So sadly, I think prize money is brought into question (as is) our ability to provide the services members rightly demand as well as encourage young people.”

McGauran claimed the unimproved land value without a Metro station on the 60-hectare Rosehill site was a mere $27 million while saying there were many unknowns surrounding a potential sale of Canterbury racecourse in Sydney’s inner west. “We would look at Canterbury in the future but there are more uncertainties to that,” he said. “The beauty of the (Rosehill) resolution put before members was that we go to government with an offer of net $5 billion, not a dollar less. The resolution wouldn’t allow us to. Its simplicity, I believe, was compelling and we will never get that opportunity again because there’s not going to be a metro station.”

After earlier ruling out compulsorily acquiring the site if the club voted against the sale, Minns said he was disappointed with the decision of ATC members. Minns also hinted the government had contingency plans in place to help solve Sydney’s housing crisis. “They’re not ready for me to announce today, and not everyone will love them, but they’re absolutely necessary for Sydney,” he said.

John Comments “I have followed this saga from the very start reading all the reports and taking a note of all of the pros and cons, comments from a range of interested and involved parties and it was obvious to me ahead of the original vote (which was eventually delayed) that the ATC were probably going to fail to get this controversial proposal over the line. The vote was delayed and at that point the ATC produced a more enhanced proposal with a lot more detail and some members incentives to the value of around $70 million included – while the additional detail did address some of the concerns that have been raised by members, in the end clearly it wasn’t enough to get this proposal over the line. It was notable that a number of high profile trainers such as Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, John O’Shea etc were all strongly opposed to this proposal.

I think it is pretty obvious that there is going to be some significant fallout from this “no” vote – the ATC board had made it pretty clear that they were relying on this $5 billion asset sale to “future proof” Sydney racing, although it’s notable at three of the five elected board members were opposed to the proposal, however the independent directors (who are board appointed) were in favour, including the chairman, Peter McGauran. You would think that McGauran’s position in particular would now be under threat, however, at this stage he is refusing to resign.

For the immediate future, I think the ATC need to get back to basics, control their costs, reengage with their membership base, make better use of the assets they have, unlock capital assets that are not delivering adequate returns – in other words make the hard decisions just like any business needs to make in these tougher times

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Team Te Akau head to the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale 2nd/3rd June

Yes, this Yearling sale is just around the corner and David Ellis along with Marcus Corban and newly appointed Te Akau racing manager, Mikey Gray, are attending – Mark Walker will not be attending the sale but he has been hard at work researching the catalogue and the video clips and the team have a shortlist of horses from that initial research that they will conduct physical inspections on ahead of the sale. From a Fortuna perspective the Magic Million sales over the years have been very good to us and every single purchase we have made from Magic Millions going right back to 2006, bar one (Titahi Bay who ran 3rd on debut at her only start to date) have been winners for us including yesterday’s winner, the very promising Porcia Catonis – and at this Sale in 2024, we acquired Marokopa Falls, who won on debut as a 2yo last December – Fortuna will be buying at this sale, subject to the lots we want to acquire coming in at or under budget, so keep a look out for our “Breaking News” updates next week


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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Attending To Rapa last Saturday for the first jumps meeting of the season, I had a very enjoyable day on the punt following Des’ regular subscriber selections, collecting returns from six winners on the day including the winners of the three jumping races

Here is what Des has for our readers this week plus he reminisces on one of the iconic days of NZ Racing’s past and he provides a special offer to the Friday Flash readers for his regular tipping service

HOLDING ON TO THE MAGICAL MEMORIES OF THE GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLES AT ELLERSLIE

It’s Kings Birthday weekend but from a racing stance not as we know it. In wishing all the racing clubs conducting meetings over this long weekend all the best, there’s something about the old Queens Birthday holiday that’s missing.

As we know the famous hill at Ellerslie  made way for housing development 3 or 4 years ago and, while through the sale, a much needed  investment was ploughed into racings future, especially at Ellerslie , racing lost arguably the greatest racing spectacle on the planet, the time honoured Great Northern Steeples, run on the Monday.

If you’re a die hard racing enthusiast I’m sure you’ll agree.

For me, I probably cut my teeth in racing on Great Northern Steeples day. Let me share my brief story for what it’s worth.

In the mid to late 1950’s we lived in Marua Road, close to Ladies Mile; the road that runs parallel to the old Ellerslie hill. As a primary schooler I’d tag along with my two older brothers and push through the outside hedge and stand alongside hundreds of people at either the first or second fence on  top of the hill to watch  the Northern steeples. It was an adrenaline rush for us all as we stood back and saw  both horse and rider master the epic hill three times. I recall the ultimate winning runs of Irish Ace ( 1958); Ben Vola (1959); Patrick Molloy (1959) and Patrick Molloy (1960) while watching from the same spot.

It was one of the Patrick Molloy wins that was a stand out although I’m not sure which one. Lochgair, who was a dominant leader on the last lap, swerved badly on landing and catapulted jockey Reg Turnwald out of the saddle. Miraculously Turnwald held on and after easing his mount to a stand still;  remounted and from the back the pair made up good ground to pass a few stragglers to end up in 5th. It was truly a remarkable piece of horsemanship and a gutsy effort by Lochgair and they  returned 5 days later for redemption in the McGregor Grant Steeples.

Fortunately I’ve  enjoyed decades  of great, Great Northerns to add to my initial excitement. For example I watched in awe as Eiffel Tower did a 360 degree turn at the water jump which claimed the mighty Kumai in winning  in 1967. That was unforgettable! Then there was one of the top jumps hoop of his era Baggy Hillis, who won two Northerns on the Colin Jillings trained Brockton; once with a broken arm which he refused to acknowledge prior to the race in case the authorities stood him down.

A few Northerns later Baggy’s two sons  Paul and Wayne added to the Hillis Great Northern haul with Wayne’s deadheat on Sir Avion. You may recall how he  shared it with Smart Hunter ( Michelle Hopkins) in 2001. To be on course and watch both horse and jockey eager to provide the knock out punch as they traded blows right from the start took the excitement of the race to another level. Adding to the go to whoa epic the colourful on course commentator Keith Haub immediately called it a dead heat as they crossed the line! Outstanding!

Naturally 18yo Grant Cooksley’s win on track record holder Ballycastle and both Hunterville and Hypnotise’s three peats  are other  performances that stand out for me as personal highlights of a race that jumps jockeys labelled  their “Melbourne Cup” and all jumps trainers agreed while racegoers didn’t always go mad on the punt but enjoyed it for what it was, simply an outstanding spectacle!

You’ve probably got your favourite Ellerslie Great Northern Steeples; I dare say more than one because each year there was another great story to share.

Of course there are so many changes in racing that we’ve had to accept for obvious reasons. Sometimes it’s hard. However, hanging on to the magical memories the Great Northern Steeples over the once famous  Ellerslie hill is something we can all  hold on to. And those memories may well come flooding back on Monday.

Happy Kings Birthday weekend one and all.

3 FOR CONSIDERATION

While the 3 gallopers released last week didn’t run in the money it may pay not to drop them entirely. I was reminded during the week that 3 horses in the last few weeks, that I had labelled initially, either won at their next start or the start after –  Nigella Lane, Acapalego and Who Knows.

DUSTY ROAD, Race 6 at Te Rapa

He likes the track and he likes this time of the year. Last winter between May and August he had 6 starts in variations of rain affected tracks and collected 2 wins, three seconds and a 4th.

TE ATATU DREAM, Race 8 at Te Rapa

She won around the same time last year on this track with a dominate on pace performance over 1600m. She was keen when leading last week here and fought well to just miss second.

CYPRESS, Race 4 at Wanganui

Kevin Myers has taken this boy to a couple of trials with a win and a cosy third behind Ima Brazen One. He won first up last season on debut at Woodville on a heavy 10. I rate this horse as one to follow all season.

Good punting!

 PS – the 4 month offer for my email tips starts Saturday with one month free which means you’ll get all of June, July, August and September for an outlay of $240 gst inclusive.
For the second Saturday in a row the card, bar one race, has had a clean sweep with two main quaddies on a 2 x 2 x 2 x2 ($16) basis for a total return in excess of $1,000! If you are keen to get involved simply email me dcoppins@xtra.co.nz and you’ll be in the swing from tomorrow morning before 9am.

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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PORCIA CATONIS makes it two wins from three starts at Riccarton 29th May

Published 29 May 2025

Recent course/distance winner Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather, by Cape Blanco) sailed home again in the $17,000 Rating 65 1400 metres on 29 May at Riccarton. Having responded well to win the Maiden 1400 metres on 1 May, Porcia Catonis finished sixth after contesting a genuine pace in the Pearl Series 1400 metres on 15 May, and the race looked an ideal opportunity to bounce back as a top three chance. Ridden quietly on this occasion by Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (claiming 4kgs), who guided stable-mate Sense Of Timing (Time Test) to a stunning win last Saturday at Te Rapa, Porcia Catonis reversed the pattern of her previous start by settling second last. Although back to last just inside the 600m, a genuine pace had ensued, and once drawn widest in the straight she joined in for fun before clearing out to win by nearly three lengths.

PORCIA CATONIS – 2nd Career Win – 29th May 2025 – Hayley Hassman aboard

“That was a really strong win by Porcia Catonis,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson. “Hayley is riding in great form, she’ll be down to a three-kilo claim before we know it, but the filly really quickened when she presented her and that’s a sign a rider being able to balance them up properly in the straight. Her previous run had us wondering, but she won with a lot of authority today. The progeny of Super Seth, they’re just continuing to get better and better with racing experience, and he’s a very exciting New Zealand based sire.”

In the race named Thank You Brad Thistoll, who managed the crossing on track work mornings at Riccarton, Porcia Catonis took her record to two wins and a second, from four starts on the poly-track, ran 1400 metres in 1:23.2, and paid $6.70 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the Race Replay

Owned by Fortuna Porcia Catonis Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $110,000 by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds.

“That was quite impressive,” said John Galvin, who had watched the race from his Hamilton home. “She won her Maiden very well, off a wide draw, then disappointed us a bit last time after racing on the speed, which was a head-scratcher, but she came to life today after being ridden off the pace and zoomed down the outside of the track. She had the draw (2) last time, so we looked to utilize that, but it seems she prefers to settle off the pace and get home strongly. The (poly-track) surface is agreeing with her and it was another nice victory, to make it two for the owners in a month. I’m pleased for Hayley (Hassman), she’s riding out of her skin at the moment. Obviously, she took four kilograms off what was already a lightish weight, to carry 52.5kg, and that is a big help. Well done to the training team, Mark and Sam, Hunter (Durrant), there at Riccarton – Porcia Catonis is starting to build a reasonably impressive CV at this early stage of her career.”

Porcia Catonis is a daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth (Dundeel), whose oldest crop three-year-olds have been to the fore this season with three Group One wins in Australasia, including her Te Akau stable-mate La Dorada who won the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) following victories in both the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) to secure front-running for Champion Two-Year-Old honours.

Super Seth made a fantastic impact as a three-year-old colt, especially when ‘coming from nowhere’ to beat race favourite Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) in the Caulfield Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m). Super Seth is a son of six-time Group One winner Dundeel, a recent inductee to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, and a very good sire in Australia, with 73 stakes wins including 14 Group One, in turn by sire of sires High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells). Porcia Catonis carries a bloodline cross to breed shaping sire Sadler’s Well (Northern Dancer) through her two sire lines.

Porcia Catonis is raced by the Fortuna Porcia Catonis Syndicate, an ownership group of 64 individuals and was strapped by Leah Norvall.

Friday Flash – 23rd May 2025

Published 23 May 2025

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VIVACIOUS – 3rd career win – Riccarton 15th May 2025 – Courtney Barnes aboard
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Headline News

Matamata Racing Club unveils major expansion plans

Leaderboard in the News
 

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Fortuna has one runner in NZ on Saturday

New Plymouth  – Saturday

MALBOROUGH BAY contests the R75 1400m  event – Race 7 @ 3.50pm and will be ridden by Apprentice Jim Chung, claiming 2kgs, from barrier 5 – racing in good consistent form, has good record this venue, nice draw, feather weight to carry  – good top 3 chance here  – TAB says “placed in three of five course runs – quinella and trifecta must here at 52 kgs with the claim” – Showing $6.50/$2.30

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata – 20th May

Malborough Bay (C Barnes) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.05.5. last 600 in 37.3.

Cranbourne  – 20th May

West Indies (S Duric) and Leaderboard (L Winks) worked over 1600 metres in 1.41.6, last 600 in 38.2.

Matamata – 22nd May

Marlborough Bay (C Barnes) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.15.2, home in 43.9.

Riccarton – 22nd May

Angels Wings (H Durrant) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.11.4, home in 39.2.

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Other News

Matamata Racing Club unveils major expansion plans
 

In a significant move set to reshape the New Zealand racing landscape, the Matamata Racing Club has confirmed the acquisition of a neighbouring property formerly owned by Valachi Downs. The purchase will pave the way for the development of a major new training facility, capable of housing up to 20 state-of-the-art barns with capacity for 250 horses.

The new complex will bolster the club’s already substantial infrastructure, currently accommodating around 150 horses on-course. With approximately 850 horses training at Matamata every month, the expansion is poised to make the Waikato venue the largest training centre in New Zealand.
The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Matamata Racing Club General Manager, Regan Donnison, to hear more about the ambitious plans. “The club purchased the property about three years ago with the idea of possible expansion,” Donnison said. “At the moment, there is a lot of positivity around the industry and high demand for trainers to be able to set up on-course, as per what is becoming the norm in Australia. There are many reasons for this. There is significant cost involved in training off-course, with trucks and staff, and having all staff in one place obviously works financially and logistically. We are mindful that we need to act now and it is the first step of a process. We want to grow and for everyone to benefit, and we have to play our part in order for this to happen.”

Matamata: A centre of equine excellence

Founded in 1919, Matamata Racing Club remains a cornerstone of the New Zealand racing industry, both historically and in modern times. In the 2024/25 season, the club held eleven race meetings under its own banner and hosted an additional fixture for the South Waikato Racing Club. The venue has also established itself as a prolific nursery of elite talent. In the 2023/24 season alone, Matamata-trained horses won 45 individual stakes races, including 40 per cent of all Group 1 races run in New Zealand. This season is already shaping up as another strong campaign, highlighted by significant results in spring and summer majors, including the inaugural running of the R. Listed NZ$3.5 million New Zealand Bloodstock Kiwi.

Already servicing around 40 trainers and approximately 850 horses, the club’s on-course amenities include a variety of training tracks, a swimming pool, weighing scales, schooling fences, custom-built jump out gates, and more. The next phase of development is aimed at future-proofing the venue and elevating it to truly world-class standards.

“This is more than just an expansion. It’s a vote of confidence in our trainers, our horses, and the future of New Zealand racing,” said Donnison. “We’re responding to real demand and positioning ourselves, and our region, as a key contributor to the national industry moving forward. This next phase of development will ensure Matamata remains at the forefront of the industry for years to come, while strengthening the Club’s ability to continue investing in its facilities with the goal of achieving world-class standards in the near future.”

Industry reaction
Among those welcoming the project is Andrew Scott, co-trainer of the powerhouse Wexford Stables, based at Matamata.

“It’s great to see a local club taking a progressive approach,” Scott said. “If all goes to plan, their proposed facilities will be a real asset to the industry, creating more opportunities for people to train on track, in line with a growing trend across Australasia. There’s still a way to go before it’s fully realised, but it’s a strong step in the right direction.”

Mark Walker who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson as part of the Te Akau team commented “Matamata has stood the test of time, Dave O’Sullivan and Jim Gibb’s are the pioneers of Matamata and there have been a lot of very good Matamata trained horses over the years. It is great to see Matamata looking towards the future and it provides an opportunity for the younger generation to get involved in leasing barns of 15-20 horses which is great. Especially as the price of land around race tracks in the Waikato in particular involves big, big bucks, and it is beyond young people. The area that the club has purchased is the old Wexford Stables were Paul and Dave O’Sullivan used to train, so there is good history there. Things in New Zealand are looking positive and Entain has basically saved us, it was looking pretty bleak, but with the prizemoney changes there is light at the end of the tunnel which is positive.”

While investment and and development is great, Walker commented that “Work is still to be done in New Zealand, Matamata are doing a great thing here but across New Zealand we need to improve race track surfaces, if you got no dance floor you can’t have a dance can you.”

John comments – this is certainly an interesting development by the Matamata Racing Club to further develop what is already a pretty good regional training centre – with my regular trips to Victoria over the last 18 months or so I have seen how regional training centres like Cranbourne and Pakenham have developed their training infrastructure and created major training centres  even though they are quite a distance away from the Melbourne City Centre


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Australian Steeplechase likely option for Leaderboard

LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
20 May 2025

Te Akau Racing’s Group Three winner Leaderboard has made a big impact on the Australian jumping scene over the last 12 months, and he is set to return to the discipline in the coming weeks

Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna Racing, Leaderboard was victorious in seven races on the flat, including the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m), before transitioning to a career over fences.

He made an immediate impact when transferred to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn, winning his maiden hurdle at just his second start in Australia before going on to place in the Australian Hurdle (3900m), Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m), Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and Grand National Steeplechase (4800m).

He returned with the same vigour this year, winning both of his steeplechase starts last month before falling at the Tozer Road double when favourite in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) at Warrnambool.

The Mark Walker-trained gelding was unharmed in the fall and will likely return to racing on the flat at Mornington next Monday before heading towards the Australian Steeplechase (3900m) at Sandown next month.

“He’s come through fine and it’s just a matter of him regaining his confidence,” Te Akau Racing assistant trainer Ben Gleeson told Racing.com. “He’ll go to Mornington and then might go over a couple next week in the lead-up to Sandown on the Sunday.”

John  says, “Ben mentions Mornington – this is a Benchmark 70 3000m flat race on Monday 26th and is aimed at giving him a solid hit out on the flat over a decent trip before tackling the 3900m Aus Steeples at Sandown Sunday 1st June”
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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week – incredibly Des tipped out a $45 winner at Cambridge during the week – one of two tips for the race and altogether he tipped out six winners on the Cambridge card – and his best bets (one per meeting) have delivered regularly of late – check out his Stop Press offer below

Greetings John and Fortuna followers

8 Cup Race Days at Trentham

I mentioned the other week how well Trentham has dodged the weather bullet time and again. And again a decent surface prevailed last Sunday, just 12 hours before a storm hit and a deluge clobbered it. For the record Trentham hasn’t presented a slow 6 track in May in the last 25 years. I kid you not – you could almost hear the pounding of the hooves standing by the birdcage fence. It was music to our ears.

Trentham has been the serious back up for failed tracks in the CD this season as we all know  and incredibly it has hosted 8 Cup days! Yes, the Wellington Cup, the Awapuni Gold Cup, the Feilding Cup, the Manawatu Cup, the Marton Cup, the Rangitikei Cup, the Masterton Cup and the Hawkes Bay Cup have all relied on Trentham from November through to last Saturday.

Trentham now moves into winter gear. The rain was necessary for upcoming figure 8 chasing in June  and there was doubt whether or not there would be jumps racing on the infield had the rain not arrived.

WELCOME BACK WAIPUK! 
On the subject of tracks the good work Kirsty Lawrence and her team have done in keeping Waipukurau up to the mark with trials and jump outs has paid off. The draft calendar for the new season is out and Waipukurau has been given the sign off from NZTR for 3 tote meetings. How much of this is down to the semi closure of Hastings is  maybe a moot point but let’s not lose sight of the fact that the Waipukurau team never intended to die wondering despite not seeing competitive racing since pre Covid days.

JUMPING FOR JOY

We’re ready to launch into the jumping season and those of us who really enjoy the excitement jumps racing brings at this time of the year once again need to thank the good old reliable Paul Nelson, Kevin Myers, Mark Oulaghan and John Wheeler.

We kick of with hurdles and ‘chasing at Te Rapa and of the 23 acceptors in the 3 jumps races the above famous 4 stables  make up almost half the runners. While it’s so refreshing to see other trainers featuring on Saturday in the jumps races – and I get the feeling the name Fannin will play a leading part in his relatively new capacity this winter – the effort those regulars put in season after season should never be lost on us. Their consistent winter contribution with runners from their stables  has certainly kept jumps racing alive in NZ and the stars they’ve produced – of which there are many – is the icing on the cake.

Three to follow this weekend:

 Stayintouch , engaged at Te Rapa and New Plymouth

She was a dominant trial performer who has accepted for both Te Rapa( race 3) and New Plymouth (race one). I think she may head to seemingly the easier option in the Naki. It’s more of a staying family on the dam’s side but it’ll come as a surprise if she doesn’t run boldly.

Chanel Surfer, race 6, Te Rapa

He hasn’t been far away in his last two runs at Te Rapa when not getting the rub of the green either at the start or in transit. I reckon this race is a slight come back in class on its last run and again if he gets a trouble free run I see no reason why he won’t play a part in the outcome.

Fancypants, race 5, New Plymouth

He showed enough promise last season to suggest time was always going to be his friend despite winning twice in wet ground. The first up run at Trentham the other week had next up written all over it. The 3kgs apprentice claim is also an assist. It’ll be a surprise if he doesn’t run a beauty.

 STOP PRESS
My email tips per meeting have had a great run in the last week. Two tips per race have included an $800 plus quaddie at Trentham and a $45 win dividend at Cambridge midweek. I’m offering my regular subscribers, who are up for renewal, a bonus month; 4 months instead of 3 at $240 ( gst inclusive).

Fortuna readers, this offer is for you as well ( May 1 – Sept 1)!
My email is:  dcoppins@xtra.co.nz if you are keen. I’ll bonus you the rest of the month as well starting this Saturday!
Have a good weekend.

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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Fortuna 4yo Racemare, VIVACIOUS, scores a stylish victory at Riccarton Park 15th May 2025

Published 16 May 2025

Premiership leading trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson recorded their 110th win this season when Vivacious (4 m Dundeel – Vivi Veloce, by More Than Ready) sailed home in the $35,000 Rating 75 1400 metres on 15 May at Riccarton. Although over a month between runs, having missed a start when the Riccarton poly-track meeting was abandoned prior to her race on 1 May, Vivacious had finished solidly in tight quarters for close fourth in the Rating 75 1400 metres on 12 April at Riccarton, and rated a top four chance from barrier one, although was fortunate to get a start as originally she had been on the ballot and needed a scratching to get in the field

Ridden again by Courtney Barnes, who has come of age as jockey this season, Vivacious was unable to utilize pole position in the early rush, but improved on the rail to be midfield at the 800m, and with a clever piece of riding at the 400m was able to angle clear and charge home for victory.

Stable-mates in the race, Alminette (Burgundy), kept alive her good course form when finishing third, while the other Fortuna runner, Mitre Peak (More Than Ready) followed her fresh-up second with a solid fifth.

Winning by one and a half lengths, in the race named Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 21 June, Vivacious clocked 1400 metres in a slick 1:21.6, fractionally outside the course record (1:21.4), and shortened appreciably from an earlier $9.00 & $2.80 fixed odds quote to pay $5.30 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the race replay

On course, co-trainer Mark Walker said: “It was a strong effort and good to get another winner for John and Jessica (Galvin) and the Fortuna Racing owners. She’s always been a slower maturing filly, but that win could be quite timely in her career and give her confidence to go on in this campaign.”

Although first start on a poly-track, Vivacious had won her first trial on the poly-track as two-year-old at Cambridge, and Walker was pleased to see her cope with it at race pace. “It was also pleasing to see her let down like she did on the synthetic surface, and there’s plenty of options coming up on the poly-track at Riccarton,” he said.

Owned by Fortuna Vivacious Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased for $60,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Riverrock Farm.

“She won so well earlier in the season at Ashburton, when coming from last on the home turn, but since then she often hasn’t had the rub of the green, with wet tracks, wide draws etc,” John Galvin, who was on track along with some of her Ownership Group, said. “I thought she was a real chance today, given her form, light weight (54kg), and the barrier draw (1), and she was beautifully ridden by Courtney (Barnes). She was a bit slowly away, but had a lovely soft run and Courtney just got her out at the right time. In the end she was too strong. We’ve always thought a bit of her and now she’s got her third win it could give her added confidence. Being rated 66 she’s been on the cusp of Rating 75 grade, but will probably pick up five or six points which will allow her to remain in that grade for her next start at least. And we’re hoping she’ll have a black type race in her, sometime in the future.”

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VIVACIOUS – 3rd career win – Riccarton 15th May 2025 – Courtney Barnes aboard

Vivacious is by remarkable racehorse Dundeel (High Chaparral), who stamped himself as well above average from the day he blew his two-year-old rivals off the track on debut over 1200 metres at Ellerslie.

The six-time Group One winner gained titles on both sides of the Tasman: Champion 3YO and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, and Champion Middle Distance horse in Australia. He ended his racing career winning the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) and his progeny have been highly sought after.

So much so, that Dundeel has created a stud career on par with his racing deeds, and along with Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, and stable star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), he joined a total of 10 recent inductees to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, which was celebrated last Sunday in Hamilton.

The dam side of her pedigree is also particularly rich. Incredibly, world renowned dam-sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo) is one of only six stallions to have sired in excess of 200 stakes winners, with 26 Group One winners among them. He has been Champion Sire in both hemispheres, proved an outstanding sire of sires and going from strength-to-strength as a broodmare sire.

Vivacious carries a bloodline cross to immortal sire Northern Dancer. Her dam, Vivi Veloce, was a Group Three winner over 1200 metres in Australia, and grand-dam Royal Sash (Royal Academy) also won at Group Three level among five wins to 1400 metres.

Vivacious is raced by the Fortuna Vivacious Syndicate, an ownership group of 61 individuals  – Vivacious was strapped by Emma Angland.

 

VIVACIOUS and her connections Riccarton Park – 15th May 2025

Friday Flash – 9th May 2025

Published 9 May 2025

PORCIA CATONIS – Maiden Victory – 1st May 2025 – Jasmine Fawcett aboard

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Headline News

Entain Edition – April

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Fortuna has two runners Saturday and Monday, one in NZ, one in Victoria

Trentham  – Saturday

RAGAMUFFIN contests the R75 1600m  event – Race 8 @ 4.19pm and will be ridden by Mereana Hudson from a mid field barrier – not disgraced at Wanganui last start when striking a track too firm   – has been working super and set to feature here – TAB says “has won 3rd up – course placed – Quinella and Trifecta must” – Showing odds of $9/2.70

Mornington – Monday

WEST INDIES  races in the  BM 64 2445m event – Race 8 @ 4.30pm Aus time, will be ridden by Ben Allen from an outside barrier  – last seen at Flemington on Anzac Day when finishing 4th in the Victorian St Leger over 2800m – after looking like the race was his for the taking top of the straight, he was one paced closing stages, not quite seeing out the trip – back in distance here and in weaker company  – is ready to give this a good shake – each way – TAB says “Form hard to fault” – No Odds Showing yet

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata

Riccarton – 8th May

Angels Wings (C Stumbles) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.12.6, home in 38.4.

Mitre Peak (T Solomon) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.13.4, home in 39.7.

Cranbourne 

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Other News

Entain Edition – April

Entain Edition
Welcome to April’s Entain Edition

The Group 1s of the domestic thoroughbred racing season are now behind us, but work continues at pace at Entain Australia and New Zealand.

A major focus for us is one which is the most visible to our TAB customers, particularly for those who like having a bet at our hundreds of TAB outlets around New Zealand.

As I shared with you last month, we are rolling out a new TAB experience across New Zealand in our TAB stores, in pubs and clubs with TAB facilities, and our on-course offerings. This is a big project and our engineers have been hard at work to the point where we have more than 330 TAB outlets with the new technology in place – that’s more than 70% of the network. The new experience will be fully rolled out by the end of May.

As with the rollout of the new TAB betting platform last year, we will continue to take customer feedback on board, but the seamless experience between the TAB App and the new self-service terminals means the experiences are linked like never before.
New TAB retail experience
In the rest of this update, we share information about our upcoming Industry Excellence Awards, look back at the Night Of Champions at Cambridge, catch up on this year’s edition of The KIA Quokka in Perth as well as the inaugural Southern Cups Bonus, check in with betcha’s partnership with the A-League Men’s premiers Auckland FC and a team profile from Andrew Hannan.

Please share or forward this newsletter to anyone in the industry who you think might like to read this. They can sign up to receive the Entain Edition directly by contacting communications@entaingroup.co.nz. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please contact the same address.
Thanks for reading.

Sam Moncur,
Managing Director – New Zealand
Entain Australia and New Zealand

 Sam Moncur
Making News
Industry Excellence Awards nominations open

We’re excited to be holding the Industry Excellence Awards again this year after the success of the inaugural event in late July 2024. Nominations are now open for the 2025 awards, with nine categories, covering the breadth and depth of the New Zealand racing industry across all three racing codes.

With nine category winners and a supreme award winner to be announced on the awards night (June 29 in Auckland), there is a category for every aspect of the industry – from training, to riding or driving, stable workers or breeders. Nominations opened on 2 April and will close on Sunday, 18 May.

If you know of some emerging leaders and rising stars of our industry aged between 18 and 40 (there are plenty of worthy candidates around!), then please visit entaingroup.co.nz/industryawards and fill in the nomination form under the “How do I nominate someone” section.
Last year's Industry Excellence Awards winners
Southern Cups Bonus produces big fields

There’s something extra special about Cups racing – the longer distance of many of these Cups races captures the interest of the crowds, particularly when there’s the opportunity to see the field head down the home straight twice, as tends to be the case for races over 2000m or further.

Along with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the Riverton Racing Club, we were pleased to support the $50,000 Southern Cups Bonus, which was decided on a winner-takes-all basis through a points system. It was run across the Gore Cup, Invercargill Gold Cup, Dunedin Gold Cup, Wyndham Cup, and the Riverton Cup, with double points up for grabs in the Riverton Cup.

The format worked perfectly, with nine runners in the Riverton Cup having a chance to claim the bonus, depending on the finishing order. While it wasn’t Loftys Gift’s day in the Riverton Cup, her Dunedin Gold Cup win and Gore Cup 2nd for trainer Robert Dennis and owners Knot Enough Syndicate & Markwood Lodge Ltd secured the bonus.

The success of the Bonus was evident with a 47% increase in starters and a 41% increase in turnover across the five races.
The Lofty Gift team
From left: Matt Smith (Entain Australia and New Zealand), Loftys Gift’s trainer Robert Dennis, and Loftys Gift’s part-owner Frank Matijasevich (third from left, with family).
The KIA Quokka

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be for Crocetti running in the Trackside NZ / Perth Racing slot in this year’s edition of The KIA Quokka at Ascot in Perth on Saturday, after getting caught wide in the running over the 1200m. That doesn’t take away from the enthusiasm and passion that Crocetti’s connections – owner Daniel Nakhle and trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata – brought to the campaign, being so accessible throughout the process.

This is the second year Trackside has had a runner in The KIA Quokka and we continue to see strong interest in the race from our TAB and betcha customers, with 10% more Kiwis betting on the race compared to 2024. We know that Crocetti’s army of New Zealand fans will keenly await his return to racing later in the year!
Auckland FC/betcha update

It’s been a huge opening season for Auckland FC in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s, and our new betting brand betcha has been with them all the way along the journey.

Auckland FC claimed the Premiers Plate over the weekend after finishing on top of the premiership table, and put the exclamation mark on their premiership with a 1-0 victory over Perth Glory on Saturday, thanks to this cracking goal from a corner by midfielder Marlee Francois.

Both Auckland FC and betcha are exciting new challengers shaking up their respective markets, and the team at Entain have deeply valued our premium partnership over this debut season. For the first finals match in May, betcha will be hosting live watch parties, bringing fans together to experience the excitement in a vibrant atmosphere.

For the second finals match, betcha will run a competition offering winners exclusive access to the betcha Base, positioned at the end of the field to provide spectacular, elevated views of the pitch and an unforgettable match-day experience.
betcha - Official Wagering Partner of the Black Knights
Night Of Champions a true trans-Tasman affair

The wait was well and truly worth it when Leap To Fame obliterated an outstanding field in The Race by betcha at Cambridge earlier this month. He carved a massive 1.6 seconds off the New Zealand record time for a 2200m mobile pace, getting the better of his Aussie rival Don Hugo and the best of the Kiwi pacers.

With such a quality field assembled for The Race by betcha, and strong trans-Tasman representation in the TAB Trot, it’s no surprise that customer numbers on the night were up, even despite the inclement weather.

Here’s hoping Leap To Fame will be back across the Tasman Sea later this year for the NZ Trotting Cup at Addington in November.
Entain team profile

Name: Andrew Hannan
Role: Executive Director – Commercial & Industry
Time with Entain: 2.5 years

 Andrew Hannan
Racing interests:

I was a little unique as my first love came from the puzzle of analysing a horse race more so than the love of the horses themselves (which came shortly after). I had some great punting mentors in my early days and made my income through betting all the way through my university years – it was a fun time while it lasted!

During this period, the superstars I fell in love with were So You Think and Black Caviar, and I still think those two are the biggest rockstars to hit the turf in the modern era.

Now in my current role, I’m very lucky to witness the best on the track across all three codes on both sides of the ditch. I only wish the horses I own were participating in those races.

What excites you about the strategic partnership?

Put simply, the opportunity. New Zealand racing has such a rich history, and we Australians know how talented the top Kiwi horses are when they come and win plenty of our Group 1s. Therefore, as part of the partnership, it’s not just about how Entain can give more support to racing in NZ through our NZ brands, but also about how we can as a business better promote NZ racing in Australia and beyond.

The race event I’m most looking forward to?

Although not a racing event, I’m looking forward to going to the Industry Excellence Awards this year. The first edition was a fantastic way to celebrate the young participants of all three racing codes together, and I suspect there will be more nominations this year after everyone saw what a fun night it was.
BY THE NUMBERS: Mar 2025
Entain
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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week

Greetings John and Friends of Fortuna

The industry is really at a cross roads with some of its tracks. Awapuni’s situation on Anzac Day has been well documented in the post analysis but there’s no hiding from the fact that CD racing can ill afford any more setbacks. Trentham, thankfully, has played ball this year as its picked up extra meetings mainly through the non availability of Awapuni and to a lessor extent Hastings.

Talking  with Trentham track manager Jamie Phillips this week he remarked how well the weather gods have favoured Trentham this season in that it has rained when it needed to but stayed relatively dry when closing in on a race day and as most of us will recall that wasn’t the case 12 months ago. He’s right! Trentham racing surfaces at most meetings this term have been running around the good to slow range on average and as such the course monitoring has worked in Jamie’s favour.

As a result of Awapuni being eased out of the racing spotlight until the green light is given around its problem area at the top of the straight Trentham will not only stage its own meeting this Saturday but also the originally scheduled Awapuni- Rangitikei meeting on Saturday week. That all means by the time the season is complete Trentham will have presented 14 race days post TAB Classic Day on the first Saturday of last December.

But the track/weather woes are not exclusive to the CD are they? Last week the original plan to run the CJC meeting on the course proper was switched post acceptance time to the AWT after record rainfalls. The decision copped mixed reaction and the fall out with some trainers was evident as the scratching total surpassed 60! The main purpose for the installation of our three all weather tracks, however, was to stop industry losses from abandonments.  The CJC was fortunate to be able to change at late notice but the only question mark I’d have surrounding last Saturdays programme was perhaps the club should have  called on fresh acceptances and not simply switched the existing fields. In conclusion there may have been 60 scratchings but there were another 60 horses that didn’t have to turn back to their stables before giving themselves a chance to reward their owners and that’s a big plus!

Before releasing three to follow this weekend one of our tips Freddie Time from last weeks column was scratched as the switch to the AWT wasn’t ideal according to his trainer Kelvin Tyler. Freddie Time arrived in Brisbane on Thursday and is earmarked for the Rough Habit on May 17 as a lead up to the Queensland Derby a fortnight later.

The other two mentioned last week are definitely “keepers”. Little Bit of Love in finishing less than 1.25 lengths from the winner at Te Rapa recorded the fastest last 200m while the 25 to one chance Maldini over raced but hit the line well enough to end up less than 1.75 lengths from the winner.
Keep them both safe.

And now for this weekend’s release of three to follow:

Lux Libertas, race 8 at Rotorua

This weight for age fillies and mares race has attracted a tidy field but Lux Libertas is one I’m banking on again. We’ve been true to this mare throughout her impressive career ( 5 wins-14 starts) and her run last time at Te Rapa was a beauty under 58kgs to run the quickest last 200m. That was her first run in 5 weeks and I’d humbly suggest she should be all the better for it.

Transcend, race one, Trentham

This is one of the TAB Racing Club two year olds on debut and the two trials have been really satisfying.
She’s a $250,000 buy at the 2024 Karaka sales and in both her trials at Ellerslie and Cambridge she appeared to be almost foolproof. She sat close to pace and kicked both times without any pressure to finish second twice. She’s worth following.

Hokitika Bell, race 7 Trentham 

She’s a late developer but with two wins and two placings from six starts it was an ideal start to her career which began about this time last year. She may need a race or two at the most to recapture winning form but I wouldn’t put it past her to throw in a good one on Saturday. The track conditions should suit and she is forward enough after a jump out around a month ago at Levin when running a handy third.

She knows how to attack the line.Bear in mind that what she does on Saturday she’s capable of more as the season advances through the winter.

Good punting!

Stop Press
Any Fortuna followers interested in testing the waters with my NZ gallops tips through these challenging times my offer of  generous $125! ( gst inclusive) is on the table until 5pm Friday to take in racing this Saturday until June 30.
That’s 43 meetings and equates to just $2.90 per meeting. Email dcoppins@xtra.co.nz for immediate details.

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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Friday Flash – 2nd May 2025

Published 2 May 2025

PORCIA CATONIS – Maiden Victory – 1st May 2025 – Jasmine Fawcett aboard

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Headline News

Porcia Catonis records her Maiden Victory at her 4th raceday start

Leaderboard Update

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Fortuna has three runners this weekend, one in Victoria, two in NZ

Cranbourne – Friday

TITAHI BAY  makes her raceday in the 1000m 2yo Fillies event – Race 1 @ 5.15pm Aus time (7.15 NZT) and will be ridden by Jamie Melham (nee Kah) from barrier 8 – has had three trials, two in NZ and one at Cranbourne and won them all in impressive fashion   – has a slightly tricky draw to contend with here over the 1000m trip, but with scratchings the field has been reduced to 7 runners, she has very good gate speed and is ready to make her mark on debut – TAB says “won a jumpout at Cranbourne April 14 – ticks a few boxes” – Showing odds of $2.40/1.20

Te Rapa – Saturday

MALBOROUGH BAY races in the Open 1200 – Race 4 @ 1.50pm, will be ridden by Vinnie Colgan from barrier 6 – resumed off a long break with a good 2nd at Waverley 21st April R75 1200 on a Heavy 9 track – up in grade to Open Class here and should handle what will be a testing track  – very rarely runs a bad race and gets his chance here in Open company – each way – TAB says “course winner – impossible to overlook for your multiples” Showing Odds of $6.50/2.10

INCA BELLE  contests the R65 1200 – Race 5 @ 2.24pm, and will be ridden by Joe Doyle from a wide draw  – has been racing consistently without a lot of luck at times – drawn wide here, but being wide on a Heavy track may not be a disadvantage – TAB says “course placed – wide gate – can still place or be first four” – Showing Odds of $15/4.50

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata – 29th April

Inca Belle (T Melvin) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.06.1, last 600 in 38.2.

Hayate (H Hassman)  galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.08.2, home in 38.6.

Marlborough Bay (O Bosson)  galloped over 1000 metres in 1.06.4, last 600 in 38.6.

Riccarton

Cranbourne 

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Other News

Fortuna 3yo Filly PORCIA CATONIS wins her Maiden race – Riccarton 1st May 2025

On the line matters most, and Porcia Catonis (3 f Super Seth – Dark Heather, by Cape Blanco) did enough to prevail in the $17,000 Maiden NZB Mega Maiden Series 1400 metres on 1 May at Riccarton (poly-track).

Purchased for $100,000 by David Ellis and Fortuna Racing at the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds, and owned by Fortuna Porcia Catonis Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she had a second and fourth to her credit before breaking through at start four.

Porcia Catonis had shown a liking for the poly-track when finishing close second following a tough trip in the Maiden 1200 metres on 6 December at Riccarton, and most recently did well off a wide run for fourth in the Maiden 1200 metres on 12 April when resuming on the course.

Porcia Catonis is a daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth (Dundeel), whose oldest crop three-year-olds have been to the fore this season with three Group One wins in Australasia, including stable-mate La Dorada who won the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) following victories in both the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) to secure front-running for Champion Two-Year-Old honours.

Ridden by former Te Akau apprentice Jasmine Fawcett, who continues to develop a terrific career in the NZ jockey ranks, Porcia Catonisworked forward from the outside gate (14) to race three-wide on the pace and kept responding in the straight to get her head in front near the line.

On a rain-affected poly-track, she ran 1400 metres 1:26.7 and justified $2.70 & $1.30 favouritism on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a really good effort to get up and win, from the wide draw, and good to see Jasmine (Fawcett) get a winner as she’s one of the hardest working jockeys around,” said Mark Walker, who trains with Sam Bergerson. “It was a tough effort, she had no favours, and kept finding to get up and win. Hopefully the win will give her confidence going forward and we’ll make plans after we assess how she pulls up.”

Click HERE to see the race replay

Porcia Catonis provided Walker & Bergerson with their 23rd success on the poly-track at Riccarton, in just their second season training in partnership, while leading the premiership and looking to defend their Champion Trainers title from last season.

“She’s been desperately unlucky,” said John Galvin, who had watched the race on his phone while on a train trip from Warnambool back to Melbourne. “She was a bit ordinary at her first start, but in her second start, on the poly-track, before Christmas, she was a moral beaten. She resumed with a very good run for second in April and today I thought was exceptional after a really tough run, three and four-wide. Heavy rain had made the synthetic track quite holding, and turning for home I thought she may have had enough, but she kept on finding and grinding away. So, it was a very tough and determined win. Super Seth is having an exceptional run as a stallion, with three Group One winners in a month or so, and we think Porcia Catonis is a filly with a bit of a future. It was only a Maiden race today, so she has to push on, but at least she’s got a win on the board early in her career. She’s obviously got a bit of courage about her. Even when she ran second in December, it was a similar thing, you could swear off the tough trip that she would die on her run, but she kept on finding. It indicates that she might get over a bit more ground, as well.”

PORCIA CATONIS – Maiden Victory – 1st May 2025 – Jasmine Fawcett aboard

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Leaderboard Update

The Warrnambool Carnival held every year in late April early May is a wonderful three day celebration of racing and should definitely be on the “bucket list” of any racing affenciado. I had attended last year when Leaderboard won the maiden hurdle – and subsequently, he had returned to Warrnambool in June of 2024 and won an Open Steeples event over 3450m and then in July, he ran in the prestigious Thackeray Steeplesover the same trip, running a solid 3rd placing

Spelled until the early summer, trainer Mark Walker had really got the miles into his legs and prior to the Warrnambool Carnival, he had won two Open Steeplechases at Ballarat and Pakenham in dominant fashion – expectations were high then as he headed to the 2025 Carnival that he would be a strong contender in the Brierly Steeple over that same 3450m course that he had performed on so well on two occasions in 2024 – sent out favourite by punters he was away well, but with Duke of Bedford keen to lead, Leaderboard’s rider, Will Gordon, was content to sit in behind.  Duke of Bedford had got out to a three lengths lead going up the famed Warrnambool Hill, but Leaderboard had cut that margin back at the top of the hill, they were on level terms coming down the hill and Leaderboard seem to be traveling particularly well, however disaster then struck.  When taking off fence at the bottom of the hill he probably went into it just a little bit quick, was unable to pick up his feet in time on landing and took a tumble.

It’s hard to describe the feeling of being there on track and watching this unfold. The first thought is “surely this has not happened” but as the field galloped on, the reality that it has happened definitely kicked in. Shock and disappointment were the very first emotions and a feeling of being stuck in quicksand and not knowing where to turn or look.  Then reality takes over and the next thoughts were re horse and rider – I could see that Leaderboard was up on his feet and was being caught by the Clerk of the course, but I could not see Will anywhere and as it had clearly been a heavy tumble, there was concern for his welfare. Heading down to the stable area, it was a relief to see Leaderboard trotting back in apparent good fashion with the Clerk of the course and once back in his box, Mark and his strapper, Hailey Morton, gave him the once over and then walked him up and down and he seemed to be quite sound at the walk. He was then trotted up in front of the Racing Victoria Vet and at the trot it was apparent that he was slightly lame in his off hind.

Now back at Cranbourne, he continues to make good improvement and we will know more in the next few days as to whether his next target, the Australian Steeples at Sandown on 1st June, is a realistic option. His fall of course, meant that he not only lost the chance to win the Brierly, but also put him out of the Grand Annual Steeples, run 1st June and notable that Duke Of Bedford completed the double, taking out both races. We can only wonder what “might have been”

Leaderboard, or “Tiger” as he is known in the stable, has a small army of syndicate Members, not to mention family and friends who follow him with great interest and there were a lot of hearts broken on Tuesday, mine among them. However, we now must move on and every effort is being made to get Tiger 100% sound again – and as for Will Gordon, well as we know these jumps riders are as tough as nails and he was lucky to escape with nothing more than a sore nose and, in fact, was cleared to ride the next day and guided the Te Akau chaser, Prismatic, to a 2nd placing in the Steeples on Wednesday

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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week

Greetings John and Fortuna followers.

The high expectation we all had for Leaderboard in Tuesdays Brierly Steeplechase at the Warrnambool carnival took a dive when he made a faulty jump at the 14th fence, knuckled on landing and fell. I thought he was travelling as sweet as anything at the time and sympathies go out to all your owners, John.

I believe there is  lameness – as a consequence – in Leaderboard’s  off hind leg. Fingers crossed that he recovers fully and that, I’m sure, is  the first priority before any thought is given for a return to racing.

Before releasing my three to follow this weekend I’d like to share a wee story that’s worth a smile. Most of us may recall the nose to nose finish between Gorbachev ( winner) and Dee and Gee in the 2019 Wellington Cup. This short story has nothing to do with the winner or runner up but rather the horse that beat just one home in that Cup, Missy Moo ( by Per Incanto). Missy Moo never raced again after Trentham and went to stud in the spring of 2019. She only had two foals before, sadly, being euthanised.

Her second foal hasn’t raced but the first foal is arguably the best sprinter we’ve seen since Black Caviar, Ka Ying Rising, whose win on Sunday in Hong Kong was his 12th consecutive. He’s a massive money earner and is now heading to The Everest in October at Randwick as an even money favourite even this far out. And get this, Missy Moo was purchased for just $500 as a weanling!! Despite the trials and tribulations the industry continues to face, mainly with non workable tracks at crucial times, there’s still a few things going on  in the racing world that keeps us smiling.

While I handed out three horses last Saturday, effectively only one horse raced, Panther who on debut, was game in defeat in running second. Contemplation Bay, the second nominee,  pulled up distressed and we hope he recovers while the other tip, Uncle Arch, along with a stream of runners in 7 other races, never got to the start after the disappointment of a slip in the opening race forced the officials to abort the Awapuni meeting.

My three on watch this weekend are:

Little Bit Of Love, race 7 at Te Rapa

He’s bit of a Te Rapa specialist and overall he has a decent winning strike rate with 6 wins from 16 starts. Over the years often we see horses strike form at the same time each year.
A perfect example of this is Little Bit of Love. He won around 12 months ago in mid April over 1300m at Te Rapa on a soft track; won again at Te Rapa over 1400m at this corresponding meeting on a soft 7 and then again completed a hat trick here in mid May again over 1400m on a heavy track.

Maldini, race 8, Te Rapa

Two years ago in April and May this Tony Pike runner had 3 starts and ran in the money each time. One of the placings included a second at Te Rapa on a heavy 10. This time last year Maldini was again in form on wet tracks with either wins or placings between May and June. He had a trial the other day and he ran 4th or 5th but was solid to the line over 950m. He’s worth a small wager on Saturday but more importantly he’s worth following in the upcoming weeks.

Freddie Time, race one at Riccarton.

There’s a strong chance this three year old with Kelvin Tyler could be Queensland Derby bound. He’s against the older horses but he’s talented and is tough. He coped with a testing track at Riverton over Easter so the wet ground on Saturday won’t be an issue, neither will the rise in class. It was a commendable effort two starts ago over 2100m in the group 3 Manawatu Classic when 4th.

STOP PRESS: My tipping email service is available for the next 3 months at $240 ( gst inclusive) or $100 for just one month. Email me at dcoppins@xtra.co.nz if you’re keen.
Also, we have a few Fortuna followers booked to travel with Lisa Allpress and myself on this years Sporting Tours Melbourne Cup trip. If you’d like to explore this opportunity and join our well organised tour that brings in many repeats as well as “bucket list” like minded people who will enjoy the camaraderie please drop me an email and I’ll arrange for the tour operator to get in touch.
Good punting folks!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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