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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Published 1 May 2025

Ridden by former Te Akau apprentice Jasmine Fawcett, who continues to develop a terrific career in the NZ jockey ranks, Porcia Catonis worked 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.

Click HERE to see the race replay

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

The sire of Porcia Catonis, 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 very good sire in Australia, with 71 stakes wins including 13 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 Grace Steven

Friday Flash – 25th April 2025

Published 25 April 2025

Leaderboard makes it two wins in a row – Pakenham 24th April – Will Gordon aboard

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Headline News

John Galvin is on an extended nine day trip to Victoria attending Multiple Race Days

Te Akau racing announcers key leadership appointments, Reece Trumper and Michael Gray

Evergreen – a high quality Thoroughbred Breeding Fund

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

Flemington – Friday

WEST INDIES contests the time honoured 2800m VRC St Leger – Race 6 @ 3.55pm Aus time, will be ridden by Blake Shinn from a good barrier barrier – has had two good lead up runs to prepare for this and will love the trip – has matured physically and mentally since having his first start in the Fortuna Silks in the VRC derby in November – represents a strong each way chance – TAB says “Fitter again – has the ability” – Showing odds of $6/2.20

Wanganui – Sunday

RAGAMUFFIN races in the R75 1600 – Race 5 @ 2.55pm, will be ridden by Craig Grylls from an inside barrier barrier – resumed this track and grade 1350m 5th April and ran 4th – has trained on nicely and this trip is ideal for him should be very competitive here and is a good each way chance – Showing Odds of $11/3.40

INCA BELLE contests the R65 1200 – Race 7 @ 4.15pm, and will be ridden by Joe Doyle from a good draw – has been racing consistently without a lot of luck at times and this race gives her the opportunity to salute the judge and will go close – Showing Odds of $14/4

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata

Riccarton – 22nd April

Angels Wings (H Durrant) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.4, last 600 in 40.6.

Cranbourne – 22nd April

West Indies (S Duric) worked over 1600 metres in 1.47.6, final 600 in 38.2.

Leaderboard (S Duric) worked over 2000 metres in 2.08.4, final 600 in 37.9.

Titahi Bay (C Anderson) worked over an easy 800 metres in 58.4, home in 39.6.

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Other News

John Galvin is on an extended nine day trip to Victoria attending Multiple Race Days

John reports “It was always my intention to attend the Warrnambool Carnival again this year after attending last year when Leaderboard won a maiden hurdle event, but since making original plans to take in this carnival, West Indies has been set to contest the St Leger at Flemington on Anzac Day and our Smart two-year-old Filly Titahi Bay, after winning a jump out at Cranbourne in stylish fashion recently, makes her raceday debut on her home track on Friday, the 2nd of May – so those two runners effectively bookended the Warrnambool carnival which runs from Tuesday, the 29th of April to Thursday, the 1st of May.

I traveled to Melbourne on Thursday the 24th and will be attending the Anzac Day Dawn Parade first thing Friday morning before heading to Flemington, where the three year-old West Indies will contest the VRC St Leger and we have 22 members and supporters of that syndicate attending this race day. A race free day on Saturday will give me an opportunity to take in an AFL game live which is a first for me

On Sunday the 27th I travel down to Mornington to meet with Brett Scott who is training two Fortuna runners, the veteran Khafeef, who has recently transferred to Victoria from the Kevin Myers stable and who is on track to have a jumping trial soon and the last start winner Zedwilldo, who will resume racing on the flat very shortly after having had a good spell after breaking Maidens in December

And then on Monday it’s off to Warrnambool which is a 3 1/2 hour train trip from Melbourne, with Leaderboard to contest the Brierly Steeples over 3450m on Tuesday the 29th and then, all going well, he will back up into the Grand Annual Steeples on Thursday, the 1st of May over the more testing 5500 m – he is rock hard fit and and certainly going to give a good account of himself, but of interest, looking at the nominations for Tuesday, while he has beaten most of the other runners in his last two dominant wins, he faces a new opponent on Tuesday, none other than the talented New Zealand jumper Berry The Cash, trained by Mark Oloughlan – this horse has won seven times over the Hurdles in NZ so will provide “Tiger” with some stern opposition on Tuesday but does run in a Steeples for the first time and needs to negotiate the famed Warrnambool hill as well

To add some additional spice to the day, we have another Fortuna runner in Dreamflight, who makes his hurdles debut in the maiden hurdle on the 29th. This is the race that Leaderboard won last year. Dreamflight is new to the jumping game, but has had two jumping trials to prepare for his debut run, is rock hard fit and will get track conditions to suit

Subject to Leaderboard coming through Tuesday’s race in good shape, he will then back up in the famed Grand Annual Steeples which at 5500m is a genuine test of stamina for any runner and certainly will be the longest trip that Leaderboard has ever run

Friday 2nd May sees me return to Melbourne on the train and then out to Cranbourne in the afternoon for a stable visit and then I will be attending the Cranbourne night races where Titahi Bay (Spirit Of Boom – Aotearower) makes her race day debut in the 1000m 2yo Fillies race – the winner of both of her trials in New Zealand and now a dominant winner at her recent Cranbourne jump out, she looks to be a little bit special and it’s certainly a race I’m looking forward to watching her compete in

Saturday 3rd May I return to NZ, hopefully with a trophy or two in my luggage

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Te Akau Racing Announces Key Leadership Appointments:Reece Trumper and Michael Gray

Te Akau Racing is proud to announce two significant appointments that reflect our ongoing commitment to identifying and developing passionate, talented professionals and building a strong future for our industry.

From 1 May 2025, Reece Trumper will step into the role of Assistant Trainer for Te Akau Racing (NZ).Reece is a natural horseman whose deep understanding of thoroughbred racing and breeding, combined with his leadership and enthusiasm, has seen him quickly rise through the ranks since joining Te Akau in 2018. Prior to his appointment as Racing Manager in August 2022, Reece was Assistant Stable Foreman at our Te Akau Colt Barn, where he brought diligence and professionalism to every facet of stable life.

Reece’s journey in racing began in Stratford, and his passion for the industry is deeply rooted – his grandparents, John and Sue Trumper of Cheveley Stud (Te Aroha), stood stallions and bred Group 1 winners including Gee I Jane, Pakaraka Star and Bulginbaah. Personable and highly respected, Reece is a standout young talent, and we are proud to see him continue his career progression with Te Akau.

We are also thrilled to formally appoint Michael Gray as Te Akau Racing Manager (NZ). Michael joins the Te Akau team with an impressive mix of academic and hands-on industry experience. A Palmerston North Boys’ High School old boy, Michael went on to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University.

His racing experience includes 14 months at John O’Shea’s Randwick stable, where he gained invaluable insights into high-performance operations at the top level of Australian racing. Returning to New Zealand, Michael further expanded his industry knowledge through his role with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), working within the Bureau and Handicapping team.

Since joining Te Akau five months ago, Michael has quickly proven himself to be a valuable and versatile asset to the team. He has thrown himself into every part of the operation – from strapping winners to managing logistics – and his professionalism and work ethic have shone through. He is now looking forward to stepping into this leadership position and continuing to build strong relationships with our owners

John comments – Te Akau Racing, under the astute stewardship of David and Karyn, is renowned for its recruitment and nurturing of young talented up and comers – right from the early days trainers like Roger James and Steve Autridge honed their training skills under the Te Akau banner, Mark Walker approached David Ellis for a job when he was just a teenager (and the rest is history as they say), Jamie Richards was promoted through the ranks very quickly, Sam Bergeson has followed a similar path and now we have these latest announcements.

It has been my pleasure to work closely with Reece Trumper over the last three years in his role as racing manager. This is a very important role within the Te Akau team as the racing manager provides valuable assistance to the head trainers with nominations and acceptances and the very important task of liaising with riders and riders agents. But very importantly, Reece is a “Horseman” and his appointment to the role of assistant trainer is a natural progression in his career and we can only wish him all the very best.

I have only got to know Mikey Gray in the last few months and to date have not had a lot to do with him, but he is typical of the young talent coming through in Te Akau in that he has a sound educational background and that has been coupled with solid experience in a variety of thoroughbred roles, both hands on and in admin and I look forward to working with Mikey in this new role

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Evergreen – a high quality Thoroughbred Breeding Fund

Last week I shared the news with you on this new initiative and pointing out that, because there is a minimum investment of $50,000, we were exploring the option of a Fortuna breeding syndicate to be put together in order to “pool” funds from potential investors with a minimum of $5000 per investor- note that only that upfront sum is required, there are no ongoing costs

During the week we had quite a few enquiries but still not enough to put together a $50,000 package so if you are reading this and wish to express interest just let me know bye return email

It is also worthwhile noting that there are tax benefits available for this sort of investment. The structure that has been set up by Evergreen means that it uses the “pass through” method whereby any tax deductions that are available to investors under the tax code are passed through to the individual investors, who then include the financials in their tax returns. It is important that each investor get their own tax advice on this, but in broad terms up to 100% of the initial investment can be deducted against other income and then at the end of the day, when the fund is terminated, any profits to the individual investor become assessable – see below some broad information on how all of this works

And here below again is the broader information about this new initiative – let me know if you would like to go on the list

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Anzac Day
Today of course is Anzac Day where we celebrate and honour those Servicemen and women, both from the past and currently, who have served in the military forces defending our country and values, with many paying the ultimate sacrifice and this morning I attended the Dawn parade here in Melbourne – I had been to several dawn parades over the years in New Zealand, but this is the first time I have been to one in Australia and it really was an amazing and moving experience with literally thousands of people attending the Service at the “Shrine of Remembrance” in Melbourne. My own family has significant military history, most notably was my own father and his brother volunteering to go to the second world war in 1940 and both were away from their families for six years. I’m sure they were both very happy to come home safe and sound, but six years is long time out of one’s life isn’t it? And I’m sure we have many many of our clients who could tell similar stories about their family histories as well.

And then, as an aside, Anzac Day just happens to be the day that Jessica and I celebrate our wedding anniversary – yes 16 years ago to the day since we tied the knot in the Philippines and this is the first time we have been apart on a wedding anniversary, with me being here in Melbourne and Jessica “holding the fort” at home

John and Jessica – 25th April 2009

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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week

Greetings John and Fortuna followers

It was nice to see our long range tips do well on Saturday with Sterling Express winning at double figure odds while Acapelego was seen to be be hitting the line solidly into the minors. Both horses are worth staying with. ( the other selection Mossinvader was scratched).

With so many race meetings depleted over the past few months, especially in the CD, with abandonments it’s refreshing to have Awapuni back on Anzac weekend. The industry needs Awapuni badly and if you haven’t caught up with the news the venue will host two of the Spring Triple Crown races in lieu of Hastings which itself is currently being nursed back to good health.

In this busy weekend of racing I’ve decided to focus on one at each meeting, Awapuni, Te Rapa and Riccarton.

Uncle Arch, Awapuni, race five

I had a good look at the replay of its run last time on tricky underfoot conditions at Wanganui and things just didn’t pan out for him when required. I thought with a better run he would have finished in the money and he gets a decent chance to make amends on Anzac Day.

Panther, race 4, Te Rapa

It’s important to keep a close watch on trials and jump outs for any debutants and I was suitably impressed with the way this youngster knuckled down for its most recent trial performance. The stable is running hot and another bold showing is on the cards with this two year old having its first start.

Contemplation Bay, race 9 at Riccarton.

I gave this horse a good plug two weeks ago in this column but the horse was withdrawn on race morning. Stick with him. He’s talented. He is back in class from his last outing and he has strong form against better runners than he meets on Saturday. He’s okay on all footing but any improvement in the track would boost confidence levels.

Good punting for this very special remembrance weekend.

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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Friday Flash – 18th April 2025

Published 18 April 2025

“Star Shadow” 2nd career win – Riccarton 12th April 2025 – George Rooke aboard

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Headline News

Leaderboard wins again over the big fences on a seven day turnaround – Warrnambool Carnival is now in his sights

Former Entain executives Cameron Roger and Lachlan Fitt launch Evergreen – a high quality Thoroughbred Breeding Fund

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Fortuna has three runners this weekend, all in NZ

Ellerslie – Saturday

COURT OF APPEAL races in the R75 2100 – Race 1 @ 11.50pm, will be ridden by Michael McNab from the outside barrier – dominant win at Taupo 1800m late Feb, she was then desperately unlucky Hawera this trip 26th March – up in grade here and meets some useful types but is a genuine stayer in the making – bold showing expected with just 54kgs to carry – TAB Says “has run well all starts this time in – win chance for sure” – Showing odds of $6/2.20

Waverley – Monday

HAYATE races in the R60 2100 – Race 6 @ 2.54pm, will be ridden by Michael McNab from a midfield barrier – ran this grade and trip for the first time Pukekohe 2nd April – raced prominently at Pukekohe and battled on for 4th place – will have taken big improvement from that and should be right in the finish here – No comment or Odds from TAB yet

MALBOROUGH BAY resumes in the R75 1200 – Race 8 @ 4.04pm, will be ridden by Stable apprentice Hayley Hassman, claiming 4kgs, from barrier five – rarely runs a bad race boasting 21 top 5 placings from 28 career starts – prefers soft ground which he should get here and 4kgs off his back is a huge boost – good each way chance in this – No comment or Odds from TAB yet

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata – 15th AprilHayate (C Barnes) galloped over 1200 metres in 1.18.5, last 600 in 37.2.

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Other News

Leaderboard makes it two Steeplechase wins in seven days in Victoria

Published 14 April 2025

At the peak of his powers, Leaderboard (10 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy, by Dynaformer) was too good when winning the $75,000 J. E. H. Spencer Memorial Steeplechase (4000m) on 13 April at Pakenham. After comfortably winning the Open Steeplechase (3250m) a week earlier at Ballarat, and as a lead-in to the $150,000 Brierley Chase (3450m) on Tuesday 29 April and the $350,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) on Thursday 1 May, during the Warrnambool carnival, Leaderboard had no problem coping with the seven-day turnaround.

Owned by Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), he was purchased in October 2018 at the Tattersalls Sale in U.K., and his 11 wins have yielded over $640,000 in earnings. Leaderboard has now won four jumping races, including three steeplechases, and further enhanced a terrific autumn record with eight of his 11 wins coming between March and June.

A day beforehand, following the win by Fortuna Racings stable-mate Star Shadow (Reliable Man) at Riccarton, John Galvin commented on Leaderboard, saying: “He’s had a fantastic week. He had a pretty soft run last week, which took nothing out of him, and Mark (Walker) has hardly done anything with him since then. Just ticking over and he went to the beach on Wednesday for a swim in the surf and worked through the sand dunes on Friday. He’s a great jumper, in good form, so we’re pretty confident of him racing well again.”

Sharing the confidence, jockey Will Gordon, who was also aboard for the recent win at Ballarat, had Leaderboard at the head of affairs, with a rival to his outside for company, and after another polished jumping display he pulled away in the straight to win by four lengths.

Click HERE to watch the race replay

“He’s an old marvel and it was another terrific win,” said trainer Mark Walker. “A lot of satisfaction comes from wins like this, because there’s a lot of ground work and preparation that goes into it. Everyone at the stable just adores him and we’re really looking forward to getting him to Warrnambool now. The great thing with these jumpers, too, is that they’re brilliant at helping to educate the yearlings, so it’s a great dual purpose and they love it.”

Although facing only three rivals, Leaderboard was the only one wanted in betting and he closed at $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote. Already something of a course specialist at Warrnambool, winning a 3200-metre Hurdle at his first attempt and following with a first and third over 3450 metres in Steeplechases, Leaderboard will be an in-form drawcard during the carnival and shapes as a strong contender in each of his two prestigious jumps assignments.

“Leaderboard” – Steeples Victory at Pakenham – 13th April 2025 – Will Gordon aboard

“It has been a good trip (from New Zealand),” John Galvin, who was on track at Pakenham, said. “I was up early this morning and went to the Cranbourne stables to inspect all our horses and then I travelled with Mark (Walker) and Ben (Gleeson) to the races. We were a bit nervous heading into the race, whether the track was going to be too firm, or not. Under the new rules for jumps races, if they upgrade them under a Soft5 then they could call the meeting off. It was a Soft6 to start with, then after the first race they made it a Soft5 and thankfully it held there. Will (Gordon) reported that although he was pressured two or three times during the race, he had it under control, and our boy was just too strong. He got in a bit close at the second last fence, just as he did last Sunday at Ballarat, but overall, his jumping was very good. We had a look at him afterwards with Mark and he was very happy with the way he came through it and thought he’d pulled up well. He handled himself extremely well and Mark thinks he’s still got a bit of improvement heading into Warrnambool. Its good to have these horses winning and three or four of the owners in Leaderboard are also in Star Shadow, so they’ve had a good weekend. The staff say that Leaderboard is like a two-year-old around the stables, always alert, never tired, and always wanting to do more. It was a nice stake, $75,000, and some good money is on offer at Warrnambool.”

Leaderboard was strapped by Jason Levin.

Over the last – Pakenham 13th April

Well clear with winning post in sight
Returning to Scale

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Former Entain executives Cameron Roger and Lachlan Fitt launch Evergreen – a high quality Thoroughbred Breeding Fund

A few eyebrows were raised recently when Cameron and Lachhlan, formally high profile executives at Entain New Zealand, announced their resignation from Entain – with the reason given that they were seeking to “pursue other opportunities within the thoroughbred racing/breeding sector”Recently they have announced the launch of Evergreen, an Elite Thoroughbred breeding fund – this is a very interesting concept as it is very clear that the breeding landscape has changed significantly in recent years, with large breeding organisations in Australasia dominating the breeding scene and many small to medium breeders exiting.

As we know breeding is a long-term enterprise that is very capital intense intensive with a long time to wait for returns and significant risk involved – as a result of these factors it is extremely difficult for a small to medium investor who may have interest in the sector being able to find a pathway to be involved and as you will read from the material below Evergreen has been designed as a an investment fund which will invest into an elite broodmare band (around 10 in number) under Professional management and provides the ability for investors to be involved – see a summary of the concept below – as you will see there is an initial minimum capital investment of $50k required from individual investors with no ongoing costs, the fund size will be $5m, the projected Term of the fund is 6 to 8 years with the “long stop” termination date being July 2033

$50k is a pretty fair sum of money of course and so Fortuna Racing is toying with the idea of forming a syndicate from its client base with the aim of acquiring one or two $50k parcels with each investor contributing a minimum of $5k. There would be no entry fee charged by the Fortuna Syndicate, so just the initial capital would be paid and Fortuna would manage the syndicate on behalf of investors in our usual fashion.

If you find this proposal attractive just let me know and I will gauge interest

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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week and I hope you were on his Randwick tip from last week, Sergeant Major, @ a juicy $7.50 dividend on the tote!!!

Greetings John and all of the Fortuna readers

Well done again John, with good results on both sides of the Tasman last weekend.

I’ve been happy with my own results over the past week and it was good to be at Randwick and cheer home ex pat Sergeant Major on Champions Day (labelled in the column 7 days ago).

We had a scratching last week while the other selection, Lantern Way, may have only ran 4th but is certainly a black booker.

We are now well into the track rating dilemma. There’s no certainty when it comes to track conditions. We can be running on a slow track on Friday at which can turn to heavy overnight or well before. However, this will all change as the consistency with heavy tracks generally hold sway throughout June, July and August. As most of us know the summer – autumn horses are now being eased out of the competition and replaced by the true blue winter gallopers; horses that are clearly adept in heavy ground.

I know a few punters shut up shop at this time of the year but I’m the opposite and I don’t mind sifting through the form and weighing up all the variables to hopefully get the result I’m looking for and sharing with others. But In saying all this, I think the new look Ellerslie track will never been a really tough test during this period.

For that reason a few stables may extend the programmes for their autumn gallopers to focus solely on Ellerslie which makes sense when you consider that Ellerslie is blessed with 5 more race days between now and the end of May.

From a tipping perspective I’d like to think we can keep on top of the winter scene this season and as a special offer to Fortuna followers the subscription to my race tipping email service remains at $240 ( gst inclusive for the next 3 months); or $100 for May only with both offers giving you the rest of April (8 meetings) ex gratis. The three months will start May 1 and run through to the end of the racing season, July 31.
Simply email me dcoppins@xtra.co.nz if you’d like to know more.

Horses to follow at Ellerslie on Saturday and beyond include:

Acapelago: race 5

This horse is very forward to resume going on its recent trial at Ellerslie. The draw is awkward but I sense it’ll come into 12 or 13. Last season she ran a meritorious 4th in stakes company on debut at Wanganui on a heavy track; albeit in a smallish field. Two or three handy types have come out of that race.

She had a short spell after that race in June and resumed with a winning run on a soft track at Matamata and she also ran second to a classy type in Prosegur on a heavy track at Tauranga. She’s ready but whatever she does at Ellerslie the advice would be to stick with her in the weeks and months ahead.

Sterling Express in race three at Ellerslie

Maybe the weight scale doesn’t assist this 4-win galloper but he’s definitely worth a close look. He won’t take long in adding to his score; I’ll say within three starts!
He ran 14 times within 12 months and while he has winning form on all track ratings, good, soft and heavy he clearly likes cut in the ground hence his return to racing at this time of the year.

For the record he’s won two of his 4 starts on soft tracks and has never been further back than third in three starts on heavy ground. Perhaps one of his best runs was narrow win over former group one winner, Wolverine, carrying just a half kg less at Rotorua on a soft 6.

Mossinvader, race 8

I’m not sure if this talented type will race anywhere but Ellerslie for the rest of the term because I’m not convinced he will handle the tougher ground in the months ahead.
The race on Saturday is well within his capabilities and he looks just about ready to win. He had the quickest sectionals behind Electron the other day and he likes Ellerslie and outside the NZ Derby last year in three starts here he’s never been further back than 5th.One of those runs includes a third behind the talented Orchestral and Mary Shan on a soft 6 on Karaka Millions night in January.

Stop press
The Sporting Tours Melbourne Cup tour this year is filling. My co tour leader Lisa Allpress welcomes you aboard as I do. We could have up to 100 people with us this year which will include bucket-listers as well as regulars. Feel free to drop me a line and I’ll arrange for a Sporting Tours operator to immediately get in touch and discuss the options.
Good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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Leaderboard makes it two Steeplechase wins in seven days in Victoria

Published 14 April 2025

Click HERE to watch the race replay

“Leaderboard” – Steeples Victory at Pakenham – 13th April 2025 – Will Gordon aboard

Leaderboard was strapped by Jason Levin.

Star Shadow wins at Riccarton – 12th April 2025

Published 13 April 2025

Almost a year to the day since winning on debut as a two-year-old at Otaki, grey filly Star Shadow (3 f Reliable Man – Scene Queen, by Redoute’s Choice) won the $20,000 Avon City Ford Rating 65 1600 metres on Saturday at Riccarton. Having done very well from the rear for second in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 5 February and not far away when finishing widest on the track in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 5 March, both at Riccarton, Star Shadow was given time (38 days) between runs and rated a top three chance.

Ridden by George Rooke, having his first visit to the course, Star Shadow slotted into midfield, was ninth passing the 600m, and unwound with a well-timed finish after getting clear at the 250m. It was a talented ride by the Englishman, who has shown to be among the best of his craft since commencing last October in New Zealand, and a good effort by Star Shadow, a filly patiently handled by trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson that had also measured up in stakes company.

“She looked as though she was going to be unlucky before getting clear in the straight, but a good ride by George Rooke, and she managed to put a winning break on them,” Walker said. “Great to get another win for John Galvin and his owners in Fortuna Racing. She’s a filly that Dave (Ellis) bought cheaply with John and we’ll step her up again to black type racing next start.”

The race is mind for Star Shadow is the $80,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) on Saturday 26 April at Riccarton. On Good 4 footing, Star Shadow ran 1600 metres in 1:36.8, and justified favouritism to pay $3.80 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the race result and replay

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing for $35,000 at the 2023 Karaka Book 2 Sale, from the draft of Westbury Stud, Star Shadow was a rare two-year-old winner for her sire, Reliable Man (Dalakhani), who won two Group One races to 2100 metres and whose progeny have excelled as three-year-olds and upwards. That said, the juvenile win was indicative of showing natural ability, which had been exuded in trials prior to racing, and there appears good reason for ongoing improvement, now, with two wins under her belt.

“Star Shadow” 2nd career win – Riccarton 12th April 2025 – George Rooke aboard

Owned by the Fortuna Star Shadow Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), an ownership Group comprising 60 individuals, Star Shadow is out of a mare by world-class Champion Sire and Champion Broodmare Sire Redoute’s Choice (Danehill), and carries a Northern Dancer cross on the dam line of Reliable Man (Dalakhani) and sire line of Scene Queen.

“She’s been a tad unlucky in some of her runs, but she was well suited by the race today,” said John Galvin, after touching down in Melbourne, in readiness to watch stable-mate Leaderboard (Street Cry) contest the $75,000 J. E .H Spencer Memorial Steeplechase (4000m) on Sunday at Pakenham.“She’s got ability and we think she’s got the potential to win black type. We made the decision to take a softer option and by winning the race today, when we were also in the field for NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1600m), she’s got confidence and valuable ratings points as well. She looked to be in a bit of trouble at the 300m, and George (Rooke) had to come off heels, but she got there in the end and it was a pretty good effort. The Warstep Stakes will be a nice race for her, in a couple of weeks. 2000 metres, she hasn’t run that yet but I don’t think there’s any doubt that she will.”

Commenting on Leaderboard, backing up after comfortably winning the Open Steeplechase 3250m last Sunday at Ballarat, Galvin said: “He’s had a fantastic week. He had a pretty soft run last week, which took nothing out of him, and Mark (Walker) has hardly done anything with him since then. Just ticking over and he went to the beach on Wednesday for a swim in the surf and worked through the sand dunes on Friday. He’s a great jumper, in good form, so we’re pretty confident of him racing well again.”

Star Shadow was strapped by Hunter Durrant.

Friday Flash – 11th April 2025

Published 11 April 2025

“Leaderboard” – En Route to Steeples Victory Ballarat – 6th April 2025
Will Gordon aboard

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Headline News

Leaderboard brilliant in Ballarat Steeples win – will back up at Pakenham 13th April

Shares available in the jumper Khafeef – zero consideration

NZTR Announces Boost to Jumps Racing Stakes

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Fortuna has six runners this weekend, five in NZ, one in Victoria

Riccarton – Saturday

PORCIA CATONIS will contest the Maiden 1200 down the Riccarton chute – Race 1@ 11.45 in the hands of the talented George Rooke – having just her 3rd race day start and coming off a long break after she went down by a nose on the Riccarton synthetic in December – has ability and a bold run is expected but has drawn wide – TAB Says “beaten a lip at last start, wide draw, win chance for sure ” – showing $6/$2.20

ANGELS WINGS races in the R65 1200 down the Riccarton chute – Race 2 @ 12.20 and will be ridden by Courtney Barnes from the ace barrier – has been racing well, but without much luck and gets her chance to atone here – TAB Says “can handle all types of footing – drawn the ace – include her everywhere in this field ” – showing $15/$4.40

STAR SHADOW races in the R65 1600 – Race 3 @ 12.52, will be ridden by Courtney Barnes from a mid field barrier – wasn’t disgraced last time on a heavy track – meets easier company here and is a strong each way chance TAB Says ” can handle dry and wet ground – can cope this drawing wide ” – showing $3.70/$1.75

VIVACIOUS races in the R75 1400 – Race 5 @ 2pm, will be ridden by Courtney Barnes from barrier 2 – a brilliant winner this trip Ashburton in October, she has not had the rub of the green since – very talented and has the ability to feature in the finish here -TAB Says “improved effort at last start – well drawn – has won third up ” – showing $8.50/$2.90

Te Rapa – Sunday

COURT OF APPEAL races in the R75 2100 – Race 5 @ 2.40pm, will be ridden by Craig Grylls from barrier 2 – dominant win at Taupo 1800m late Feb, she was then desperately unlucky Hawera this trip 26th March – up in grade here and meets some useful types but is a genuine stayer in the making – bold showing expected -TAB Says “Form hard to fault – will be there at the finish” – Odds not posted yet

Pakenham – Sunday

LEADERBOARD runs in the Open Steeple over 4000m – Race 5 @ 2.55 Aus time (4.55pm NZT) with Will Gordon to ride. Brilliant all the win last Sunday at Ballarat over 3250m – is a beautiful jumper and no reason why he can not continue on his winning way – Racing.com says “Never in any doubt as a dominant winner at Ballarat – again hard to toss” – No Odds showing yet but he will be short

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata – 8th AprilMitre Peak (A Azrul) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.06.8, home in 38.7.

Court Of Appeal (S Hussain) galloped over an easy 1200 metres in 1.24.6, final 600 in 39.4.
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Other News

Leaderboard brilliant in Ballarat Steeples win – will back up at Pakenham 13th September

Warrnambool target for Leaderboard

LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

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April 7, 2025

Leaderboard (BC) — Talented steeplechaser Leaderboard is heading towards the Warrnambool carnival in May. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

Te Akau jumper Leaderboard is set to head to the Warrnambool carnival later this month following his triumph in the Open Steeplechase (3250m) at Ballarat on Sunday.

The 10-year-old son of Street Cry, who is raced by syndicator Fortuna, won seven races on the flat in New Zealand, including the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m).

He then transferred to Te Akau’s Cranbourne base where he has added three further wins to his tally, along with placings in last year’s Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and Grand National Steeplechase (4500m).

Trainer Mark Walker was pleased with his winning performance on Sunday and is looking forward to tackling some feature jumping assignments at Warrnambool, including the Brierley Chase (3450m) and Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m).

“It was a brilliant win,” Walker said. “He’s a terrific jumper and it’s great to see him back at the races and win the way he did. It’s all systems go towards the Warrnambool carnival, and he looks as though he’s in for another really good season. I’m looking forward to seeing him again at Warrnambool. It’s a unique carnival and it’ll great to be a part of it.”

Prior to the two assignments at Warrnambool, Fortuna’s John Galvin said the plan was for Leaderboard to back-up in the Spencer Memorial Steeplechase (4000m) at Pakenham this coming Sunday.

“I don’t think that will worry him and after that he’ll go to the Warrnambool carnival,” Galvin said. “I think Mark (Walker) has got the base fitness into him. It was a lovely ride by Will (Gordon) and kudos to Mark and Ben (Gleeson, assistant trainer), they’ve prepared the horse beautifully, and Mark loves his jumpers. We’ve owned him since 2018 and he’s a marvel, really. He had a wonderful period of flat racing and was very consistent provided he got yielding tracks, but his future was always going to be as a jumper when he wasn’t so competitive on the flat. Mark’s got a few jumpers in his stable, with Prismatic and The Mighty Spar, and Leaderboard has become the flagbearer with the successes he’s had“

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NZTR Announces Boost to Jumps Racing Stakes

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced several enhancements to the prizemoney for Jumps Racing, including immediate increases covering the remainder of the current season (May to July 2025), as well as the full 2025-26 racing calendar. NZTR’s total investment across 18 meetings and 57 Jumps races over this period will reach approximately $2.57 million.

The increases highlight NZTR’s ongoing commitment to the development and promotion of Jumps racing throughout the country.
Highlights of the revised stakes include:

· Uplift in stakes for Feature Steeplechases across the season, with increases ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 per race.

· Restricted Open Jump Races will see stakes boosted from $30,000 to $40,000. In cases where these races are split into separate events for winners and maidens, winners will compete for $40,000, while maidens will race for $20,000.

· The Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton Park on Saturday 9 August celebrates its 150th renewal this year, with the Canterbury Jockey Club set to announce a further stakes increase to this race in the coming weeks.

These new stakes enhancements complement previously announced strategic initiatives, which include:

· A shortened jump racing season comprising 18 racing days, running from 11 May to 21 September 2025, concluding with an exciting two-day event at Te Aroha.

· A strategic shift towards non-Saturday racing days, with nine of the 18 Jumps racing days scheduled for Sundays, along with King’s Birthday Monday and a feature Friday meeting on 19 September for the Great Northern Hurdle.

· Streamlining of venues to improve infrastructure, reducing host venues from previous seasons to seven locations. Notably, Jumps racing will no longer be held at Rotorua or Waverley this season.

· Introduction of the Amateur Series, primarily held at Jumps meetings, concluding with the prestigious Duke of Gloucester Cup on 19 September at Te Aroha.
NZTR Chief Operating Officer Darin Balcombe commented, “These enhancements deliver immediate benefits for participants this season while supporting the ongoing development of Jumps racing. Following our strategic review last year, we’re focused on improving the experience for participants and fans as we head into next season,” he said.

Full details of NZTR’s 2025-26 Jumps Racing Stakes are available to view below.
2025-26 Jumps Racing Stakes

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Shares available in the jumper Khafeef – Zero consideration

Our 9yo Jumper, KHAFEEF, has crossed the Tasman to participate in the lucrative Victorian Jumps scene – however he won’t be joining Leaderboard at Cranbourne but will head to Mornington to be trained by the expat Kiwi and former Jumps riding Champion, Brett Scott – Brett has already had success with another Fortuna runner, ZEDWILLDO and we believe that KHAFEEF, formerly trained in NZ by Kevin Myers, will be well suited by the Brett’s relaxed stable environment at Mornington – 5% of the shares in Khafeef are available for zero consideration and NZ$50 per month from the 1st May – just contact John by email or call 021 921 460 if you have interest – Khafeef has won over the Hurdles and performed well in Steeples races during the 2024 season beaten a short head at Rotorua – he has had a solid preparation in Kevin Myers care since mid December, attending sports days and Gymkhanas, trialed at Foxton on the flat 25th March and is very fit

Khafeef is currently being prepared by Brett for a jumping trial at Terang 17th April and will have another trial two weeks later and then be ready to make his Victorian jumps debut after that

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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week

Greetings John and Fortuna followers.

Firstly congratulations on Leaderboard’s wonderful return to racing over jumps last Sunday. He’s a great old horse with a Wellington Cup and NZ St Leger to his name and as a jumper he looks spot on for another good season in Melbourne.

A quick reflection on last week, Islington Lass wasn’t on song and her astute trainer is weighing up her future but it’d be fair to say Nigella Lane was a good thing beaten in the fillies and mares race at Wanganui. She’ll keep,

Let’s look three to follow; not only for Saturday assignments but going forward to the rest of the autumn.

Lantern Way, race 6, Trentham

An ex Hawkes Bay Guineas winner whose form tailed off the spring but there was a lot to like about the resuming run on the track at the end of last month.

Contemplation Bay, race 5 Riccarton

Handles most types of track surfaces; the first two wins of the season were big and is back in class after finishing less than a half length from the runner up in stakes company last time.

Sergeant Major, race 2 Randwick

This ex kiwi is capable of causing a mild upset on Championship Day at Randwick on Saturday. That top 4 run behind a potential super star, Autumn Glow at Rosehill, tells the story.

Thought for the day: How did that name get through?

I felt sorry for George Simon the other week when he put the binoculars on race 6 at Tauranga which featured a horse by name of Unodostrescuatro, breaking it down its UNO DOS TRES QUATR0 which most will know is one, two, three and four in Spanish. In the rapid, yet clear and precise delivery George would normally give us he was almost tongue tied while trying to be as fluent as he could possibly be.

Cruel I thought for the caller and very strange to let a name like this slip past the keeper at NZTR’s horse registration department .
For the record there are some steadfast rules when it comes to naming your horse
1. names must be no longer than 18 characters including the spaces
2. can’t apply for names whose spelling or pronunciation is similar to names already registered
3. a name cannot be reused until 15 years has passed since the foaling of a similar named horse
4. names of winners of group one races are protected
5. names of stallions cannot be used until 15 years has passed since they last appeared in a stud book

So there are 5 rules – While understanding it’s an owners prerogative on what names or names are jotted down at registration time I think maybe there should be a 6th rule with one that doesn’t confuse, baffle or muddle a race callers professional delivery by throwing a curve ball with a seemingly tongue-tie-ish name as is the case with the Spanish one-two-three-four!

Ps our Melbourne tour, with Co host Lisa Allpress, is gaining momentum. If you are keen to know more simply email me dcoppins@xtra.co.nz and I’ll put you on to the Sporting Tours operator.
Enjoy the great racing this weekend and good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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LEADERBOARD kicks off his 2025 Jumps Racing season with dominant 5 length win at Ballarat 6th April

Published 6 April 2025

Perennial teenager Leaderboard (10 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy, by Dynaformer) comfortably won the $35,000 Open Steeplechase (3250m) on 6 April at Ballarat (Victoria). Winner of the Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) and the NZ St Leger (Listed, 2600m) when racing on the flat in New Zealand, Leaderboard had taken to the jumping role like a duck to water and ended his previous campaign finishing third in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and second in the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) in Australia.

Following two runs on the flat since resuming, Leaderboard led throughout when winning a 2400-metre Steeplechase trial on 13 March at Cranbourne, and took good fitness levels into the assignment. Ridden by Will Gordon, who had combined with him to finish second in the Australian Hurdle (3900m) last year, Leaderboard assumed the role of pacemaker from the outset, was eagerly looking for his fences, and in the end made light of his 71.5kg to win by five lengths. On Soft6 footing, in the race sponsored by E-cycle Solutions, Leaderboard started second favourite behind runner-up Schabau (Pastorius) and paid $2.80 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see Race replay

“It was a brilliant win, today,” said trainer Mark Walker. “He’s a terrific jumper and it’s great to see him back at the races and win the way he did. “It’s all systems go towards the Warrnambool carnival, and he looks as though he’s in for another really good season. I’m looking forward to seeing him again at Warrnambool. It’s a unique carnival and it’ll great to be a part of it.”

Already something of a course specialist at Warrnambool, winning at 3200-metre Hurdle at his first attempt and following with a first and third over 3450 metres in Steeplechases, Leaderboard will now prepare for the $150,000 Brierley Chase (3450m) on Tuesday 29 April, and the $350,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) on Thursday 1 May.

Leaderboard in command on his way to Steeples Victory at Ballarat – 6th April 2025

Owned by Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), he was purchased by John with assistance of International bloodstock agent, Hubie De Burgh, in October 2018 at the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale in U.K., and his 10 wins have yielded nearly $600,000 in earnings.

Leaderboard has a terrific autumn record, with seven of his 10 wins coming between March and June.

“He’s going great and in really good shape,” John Galvin said. “He had a couple of resuming flat races, where he was outclassed, but he won a Steeplechase trial by eight lengths at Cranbourne, and what he did today wasn’t a surprise. He’s a beautiful jumper. He got a little bit close-in at the fifth (fence) and slightly awkward at the second last, but he controlled the speed, increased the tempo as the race went on, and was too good for them.”

Prior to the two assignments at Warrnambool, Galvin said the plan was for Leaderboard to back-up next Sunday (13 April) in the Spencer Memorial Steeplechase (4000m) at Pakenham.

“I don’t think that will worry him and after that he’ll go to the Warrnambool carnival,” Galvin said. “I think Mark (Walker) has got the base fitness into him. It was a lovely ride by Will (Gordon) and kudos to Mark and Ben (Gleeson), they’ve prepared the horse beautifully, and Mark loves his jumpers. We’ve owned him since 2018 and he’s a marvel, really. He had a wonderful period of flat racing and was very consistent provided he got yielding tracks, but his future was always going to be as a jumper when he wasn’t so competitive on the flat. Mark has got a few jumpers in his stable, with Prismatic and The Mighty Sparat Cranbourne and Leaderboard has become the flagbearer with the successes he’s had.”

The win for Fortuna Racing with Leaderboard came on the back of his stable-mate West Indies (Fastnet Rock) finishing close third in the Benchmark 64 2025 metres on Friday 4th April at Cranbourne.

“We bought him for the (VRC) Derby, but he wasn’t mature enough to run the 2500 metres out. But, physically, he’s a different horse now. He’s still only a 3yo and got a bright future, I think,” Galvin said. “Providing he trots up well on Monday, the plan is the VRC St Leger (Listed, 2800m) on Anzac Day (25 April) at Flemington.”

Leaderboard is raced by the Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate, an ownership group of of 73 individuals, 71 NZ based and 2 based in Australia

Leaderboard was strapped by Hayley Morton.

Leaderboard post race with Hailey Morton – our ever faithful strapper

Friday Flash – 4th April 2025

Published 4 April 2025

Court Of Appeal – 2nd career victory – Taupo 26th February 2025 – Masa Hashizume aboard

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Headline News

Leaderboard to have his first Steeples start for new season at Ballarat on Sunday

New International located Horse Initiative for Magic Millions Broodmare Sale

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Fortuna has three runners this weekend

Cranbourne – Friday

WEST INDIES contests the BM64 2050m event – Race 7 @8.15pm Aus time (10.15pm NZT) with the very capable Dan Stackhouse to ride from an outside draw. Resumed off a long break at Kyneton 1850m 20th March with a powerful finish for 3rd placing – tricky barrier here but trackwork has been very good and can feature here with a bit of luck from draw. TAB says “Eye catching run for third on resuming last start – back in good shape and looks tough to beat” – Showing $6.50/$2.30

Wanganui – Saturday

RAGAMUFFIN resumes in the BM75 1350m event – Race 5 @ 2.48pm with Kelly Myers to ride from Barrier 3, – very capable on his day and any rain will not be a problem. TAB says “proven on dry and wet ground – has won fresh up – the tote will be very telling” – Showing $8.50/$2.80

Ballarat – Sunday

LEADERBOARD runs in the Open Steeple over 3250m – Race 2 @ 1.40 Aus time (3.40pm NZT) with Will Gordon to ride. First time over the jumps this season, he has been well prepared with jumpouts, two runs over distance on the flat and won a jumping trial by 7 lengths 13th March – set to deliver a solid performance here – TAB says “Gets a chance to win “- No Odds showing yet

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Matamata – 1st April

No timed work by Fortuna Runners today

Riccarton – 1st April

Angels Wings (H Durrant) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 1.11.7, home in 38.6.

Star Shadow (K Hadler) worked over an easy 1200 metres in 1.28.7, final 600 in 36.9.

Cranbourne – 1st April

West Indies (S Duric) and Leaderboard (C Wilson) worked over 1600 metres in 1.45.7, final 600 in 36.9.

Titahi Bay (C Anderson) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 57.4, home in 36.9.

Matamata – 3rd April

Court Of Appeal (O Bosson) galloped over an easy 1200 metres in 1.24.7, final 600 in 39.9.

Riccarton – 3rd April
No timed work by Fortuna Runners today

Cranbourne – 3rd April
No timed work by Fortuna Runners today

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Other News

Leaderboard to have his first Steeples start for new season at Ballarat on Sunday

Originally Leaderboard was due to have his first start over steeples at Warrnambool Friday, the 28th of March, however a sore foot in the days before the race saw us pull him out of that race and delay his start until the Ballarat meeting this coming Sunday. He is now fully over the sore foot, galloped beautifully on Tuesday morning over a mile in company with the 3yo West Indies and is all set to resume over the jumps at Ballarat in what will be his second full season of jumps racing in Victoria

His debut season over there saw him start seven times over the jumps with two wins and five minor placings, all in very good company and he has had a perfect preparation for the jumping season with jumpouts, two flat races over distance and he won a jumping trial at Cranbourne by seven lengths in mid March. Safely through Sunday’s run he will back up at Pakenham the following Sunday 13th April in an Open Steeple over 3200 metres and then we will head to the time honoured Warrnambool Carnival, where the plan is for him to run in the Brierly Chase over 3450m on the first day (29th of April) and then back up into the Grand Annual Steeples with its stern test of 5500m on day three (1st May)

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New International located Horse Initiative for Magic Millions Broodmare Sale

From The Straight News 3rd April 2025

In May last year, New Zealand trainer, breeder and industry all-rounder Jim Wallace sold his dual Oaks winner Pennyweka at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale for $1.6 million.

Nearly three weeks later, another New Zealand industry icon, Te Akau’s David Ellis, traded in 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz for an Australasian record price of $6.6 million at the Magic Millions National Sale. Both mares were bought by Yulong’s Zhang Yuesheng.

Pennyweka, the New Zealand Oaks and Australian Oaks winner of 2023, was paraded at Inglis’ Riverside Stables complex in Sydney and was one of nine $1 million mares to change hands at last year’s Inglis’ annual breeding stock sale night of nights. Then, when it was Imperatriz’s time to be sold late on May 28, 2024, Ellis and his wife Karyn Fenton-Ellis were at Magic Millions’ Bundall complex on the Gold Coast, but their immensely valuable daughter of I Am Invincible was not.

With five of her 10 career Group 1s achieved in season 2023-24, all in Melbourne including the Lightning and a second William Reid earlier that autumn, Imperatriz was instead resting in a paddock at Ellis’ Te Akau Stud in New Zealand none the wiser as to what all the fuss was about. There was vision shown of her parading, but it was not in Australia, let alone in the state of Queensland, as bids came from people such as Coolmore’s Tom Magnier and online from eventual buyer Zhang.

And her absence was for many reasons, not least of all because if she was at Bundall, 10 per cent of her valuation at the time of her flight from Auckland to Australia would have been payable in GST by her syndicate of owners. That GST component on Imperatriz once she was imported to Australia after being sold for the benchmark amount of $6.6 million was instead borne by Zhang’s Yulong Investments. In contrast, Wallace and his co-owners of Pennyweka were subjected to paying a GST amount based on a valuation provided by an authorised industry expert, such as a Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) member.

Despite bearing the financial impost, as well as her flight costs of several thousands of dollars, the fact Pennyweka paraded directly in front of the buying bench may have elicited extra bids and more than covered that additional expense incurred by the mare’s group of owners.
“Rightly or wrongly, (we thought) she might be better off facing the market in Australia,” Wallace said on Wednesday. “That sale is very well promoted and it’s got a lot of hype around it and we thought it was a good place to (sell Pennyweka).”

In response to the market, and with the surety the sale of Imperatriz has given Magic Millions, four New Zealand-based mares – three for Te Akau as well as multiple Group winner Babylon Berlin – will be offered in absentia at this year’s National Sale.

The new International Section, announced by the company on Tuesday, will be held after its opening race fillies and mares session on May 27.

Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch believes the initiative appeals not only to owners of New Zealand-based race fillies and mares, but also to sellers in the northern hemisphere. “There’s obviously mares all over the world that suit Australia and there are mares on the other side of the world who are in foal to some really hot horses to southern hemisphere time and this initiative gives (breeders) an opportunity to sell into the Australian market, as it does the New Zealanders,” Bowditch told The Straight. “Given the fact this is a live sale, it’ll be a hugely attended sale from both the domestic and international market. It’s a very commercial catalogue, so that gives those sellers the best of both worlds that even if, unfortunately, they can’t get their horse here, they still can play in that market and sell within it. We’re excited by it. We thought it’s a good little concept and a good section to promote.”

In an ultra-competitive market between the two major Australian sales companies, especially when it comes to broodmares, every little edge can help.

Te Akau has committed Group 1 Zabeel Classic winner Campionessa (Contributer), a half-sister to stakes winners Leedox and Tennessee, Group 2 winner Wolverine (Tivaci) and Millefiori (Iffraaj), a stakes-performed half-sister to Group 1 winner Gringotts and from the family of Winx, to the new session. “These are mares with outstanding race records, pedigrees and potential, and we’re confident they’ll appeal to both domestic and international breeders via this proven platform,” Ellis said.

The Ben and Ryan Foote-trained seven-year-old mare Babylon Berlin will also go under the hammer during the same abridged afternoon international session. A daughter of All Too Hard and a half-sister to Group 3 winner Darci Be Good, Babylon Berlin won seven stakes races and was four times Group 1-placed.

As for the tax implications of the mares sold in absentia, the buyers will almost certainly be commercial breeders who are eligible to claim back the GST paid when they bring them into Australia to go to stud.
“It’s a very commercial catalogue, so that gives those sellers the best of both worlds that even if, unfortunately, they can’t get their horse here, they still can play in that market and sell within it,” Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch

Owners of horses imported to the country on a temporary basis who subsequently leave again in less than 12 months, such as last week’s Flemington Listed winner Alabama Lass, are not subjected to the GST payment when they exit Australia. The prices of horses bought at public auction, such as the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling and Ready to Run sales, are used by customs to calculate the GST payable when imported to Australia by those new owners.

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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week

Greetings John and Fortuna followers
It’s that time of the year when track conditions will more than likely contain moisture content. While some people may shut up shop over the next three or four months others see the wet tracks as a pleasant challenge and are prepared to take on the task with no fear. I’m a bit like like that. Sifting through form lines when faced with “off tracks” can often result in decent prices and I’d like to think that putting in that extra effort with the form lines when the weather may deteriorates and alter track conditions in just a few hours will continue to pay off.
Racehorses are generally seasonal and the form at this stage of the year has a cross over effect. The summer horses are ready to rest but are maybe kept in work in case they continue to score a decent track. In the meantime the mid autumn and early winter gallopers are starting to rev up and they are the sort of horses, who maybe showed form this time last year, worthy of your hard earned.
Here are three who are worth a look this Saturday at Wanganui and highly recommended to stay with over the next couple of months if you don’t get a result this time.Islington Lass, race 4

It may well be her last season but she’s going to win a race or three if her last couple of seasons are anything to go on.
She hasn’t raced since January but she had a decent jump out on her home track recently and that should top her off nicely.
She always comes to hand quickly.
She won first up after a 3 month break last year almost to the day and then finished second and won at Trentham the start following.

Jestin Case, race 5

Between March and July last term this runner had two wins, 4 seconds and a 6th from just 7 outings. Her two wins were on a soft 6 at Otaki and a soft 7 here at Wanganui. Her last two runs have been on tracks that are clearly too firm but she was good enough to run third behind a couple of handy types at Otaki on a good track in February.
Interestingly she’s only had one run on the track for that win last May.
As I write this she’s 16 to one. It’s a fairly handy field but you could do a lot worse if you are planning on a small each way bet.

Nighella Lane, race 7

While at the weights Our Jumala looks hard to topple but don’t be too surprised if Nighella Lane can’t peg back the favourite she lobs into the quinella spot.
She’s won 5 times on rain affected tracks; twice from 3 starts when it’s heavy.
Kelly Myers has made the trip from the north to partner her and she’s won on the mare before. For the record Nighella Lane has won 3 times in the April , May and June period on varying wet surfaces. I’d be surprised if she doesn’t run a race.

Anyone interested in joining Lisa Allpress and me on the Sporting Tours Melbourne Cup tour this year feel free to drop me an email dcoppins@xtra.co.nz.
It’s great to have multiple premiership winning jockey Lisa Allpress on board for the first time. For me, it’s number 34 but mixing and mingling with new people as well as reacquainting with so many regulars is something I never get tired of.
Good punting folks!
Des Coppins
021 448 052

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

Headline News

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

Guest Selector – Des Coppins

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

Headline News

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

Leaderboard Update

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

Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Other News

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

============================================ Leaderboard Update

Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Click HERE to see the race replay

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

Leaderboard makes it two wins in a row – Pakenham 24th April – Will Gordon aboard

Headline News

Evergreen – a high quality Thoroughbred Breeding Fund

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

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Te Akau Racing is proud to announce two significant appointments that reflect our ongoing commitment to identifying and developing passionate, talented professionals and building a strong future for our industry.

Evergreen – a high quality Thoroughbred Breeding Fund

“Star Shadow” 2nd career win – Riccarton 12th April 2025 – George Rooke aboard

Headline News

Former Entain executives Cameron Roger and Lachlan Fitt launch Evergreen – a high quality Thoroughbred Breeding Fund

Fortuna has three runners this weekend, all in NZ

Other News

Leaderboard makes it two Steeplechase wins in seven days in Victoria

Click HERE to watch the race replay

Former Entain executives Cameron Roger and Lachlan Fitt launch Evergreen – a high quality Thoroughbred Breeding Fund

Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Click HERE to watch the race replay

The race is mind for Star Shadow is the $80,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) on Saturday 26 April at Riccarton. On Good 4 footing, Star Shadow ran 1600 metres in 1:36.8, and justified favouritism to pay $3.80 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the race result and replay

“Star Shadow” 2nd career win – Riccarton 12th April 2025 – George Rooke aboard

Star Shadow was strapped by Hunter Durrant.

“Leaderboard” – En Route to Steeples Victory Ballarat – 6th April 2025 Will Gordon aboard

Headline News Leaderboard brilliant in Ballarat Steeples win – will back up at Pakenham 13th April Shares available in the jumper Khafeef – zero consideration NZTR Announces Boost to Jumps Racing Stakes

NZTR Announces Boost to Jumps Racing Stakes

Shares available in the jumper Khafeef – Zero consideration

Click HERE to see Race replay

Court Of Appeal – 2nd career victory – Taupo 26th February 2025 – Masa Hashizume aboard

Headline News

Leaderboard to have his first Steeples start for new season at Ballarat on Sunday

New International located Horse Initiative for Magic Millions Broodmare Sale

Fortuna has three runners this weekend

Cranbourne – Friday

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New International located Horse Initiative for Magic Millions Broodmare Sale

Guest Selector – Des Coppins

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Leaderboard Update

“Leaderboard” – En Route to Steeples Victory Ballarat – 6th April 2025
Will Gordon aboard

Headline News

Leaderboard brilliant in Ballarat Steeples win – will back up at Pakenham 13th April

Shares available in the jumper Khafeef – zero consideration

NZTR Announces Boost to Jumps Racing Stakes