Headline News;

Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer Donna Logan is on a roll with a treble two weeks ago and a double last week – this has propelled her into 2^nd place on the Singapore Trainer’s Premiership for 2022

On a more sombre note, Donna’s partner, Peter Woods, lost his Mother 21^st May – fortunately Peter and Donna had been able to spend time with her during their recent NZ Vacation and have returned to NZ for her funeral – I am sure all of the “Fortuna Family” will join with me in offering our commiserations and sympathies to Peter and Donna

Fortuna has three runners this week, one in Australia, two in Singapore with the feature being SOPRANO SUPREME tackling the Group 3 Premiers Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday – Jessica and John will be attending along with a few Members of her Syndicate

Saturday 28^th  May  –  Australia

SOPRANO SUPREME contests the Group 3 Premiers Cup 2400m at Eagle Farm – race 2 at 11.43 am. A stout 2^nd placing at her Australian debut in the Gold Coast Cup 3 weeks ago gave an indication that this lovely up and coming staying Mare can be competitive here. Kerrin McEvoy sticks – she has shown good improvement since her last race – never easy in Australia, but a bit to like here and she represents a good each way chance

“Soprano Supreme” – Win #3 Rotorua 9th April 2022

Saturday 28^th May – Singapore

OLYMPIA races in the Class 5 1100m Poly – Race 4 at 4.30pm NZT and will be ridden by Hakim – an impressive last start winner two weeks ago over 1000m, he gets another crack in the same grade – never runs a bad race and is a good each way chance here.

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

1st Pick: MAGNIFIQUE (2)
Has had five runs track and distance and has never run out of the top four placings. Last start led them up in first run at class 5 and was run down beaten just over a length. Big chance.
2nd Pick: WAWASAN (5)
Wide without cover last start and had no luck going down by less than a length. Prolific non-winner but always runs a good race and finds an easier field here.
3rd Pick: OLYMPIA (6)
Solid win last start but does meet tougher opposition. Still must respect the winning form here as a lot of other runners haven’t seen the winning post in quite a while.
4th Pick: FIGHTING HERO (10)
Beaten a nose last start in maiden company. Yet to win in nine starts now but last start was promising enough to include in the exotics.

ELLIOT NESS resumes in the Class 4 1000m Poly – Race 11 at 9pm NZT and will be ridden by Hakim. This highly talented galloper, who broke the track record in Kranji when winning a Restricted Maiden race in April 2021, has not had an easy time since – a persistent virus in the Spring hampered his performances and then a foot injury early in 2022 has required a period of rehab. Now fully recovered, he has had three trials to prepared for his resumption – may need this one, but has featherweight to carry – watch!!!

Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday 24^th May
No Timed Fortuna Trackwork today

Thursday 26^th May
No Timed Fortuna Trackwork today

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Saturday 21^st  May

Hadeer (Jerlyn) – 800/600 38; Brutus (Aiman) – 800/600 35.3; Deception (Aiman) – 800/600 37; Hidden Promise (Yusoff) – 1000/600 38; King Arthur (Yusoff) – 800/600 37; Olympia (Aslam) – 1000/600 37.2;

Tuesday 24th May

Deception (Aiman) with Brutus (Aslam) – 1000/600 37; King Arthur (Aiman) – 800/600 38; Trident (Jamil) with Rocky (Aslam) – 1000/600 37; Elliot Ness (Ronnie) – 800/600 38; Kermajack (Jerlyn) 1000/600 37; Olympia (Aiman) – 800/

Other News

Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Des did it again with his multi selections at Te Rapa both coming in at odds of up to 8-1 – the “silver fox” is on fire!!!

Des reports as follows;

We struck gold again last week with the multi but is was more gold dust than nuggets with punters chipping in big time. However, as the saying goes, small fish are sweet and while we didn’t collect the $8.40 on offer on Friday because of a couple of notable scratchings the $4.20 on the fixed odds with the 4.5 length win by the first leg, Swiss Kitty and the 1.5 length follow up by Wewillrock, gave us little cause for concern.

DECEPTION, the three year old gelding by I Am Invincible out of Friday Hussy was too dominant for his rivals in the Restricted Maiden 1200m Turf at Singapore’s Kranji race course on 14th May 202o. Having his 7th start in Singapore since Jan 1st, DECEPTION had run either 2nd or 3rd in each of his previous six starts, all in Restricted Maiden Grade, clearly demonstrating ability, but just not quite able to nail his first win. A short freshen up by his Trainer, Donna Logan, after his last start at 1600m 26th March, and bought back to 1200m proved just the ticket and aided by a clever ride by Singapore’s leading rider from 2021, K Hakim, victory was achieved.

Drawn nicely in Barrier 4 and with speedy types inside, the race plan was to have DECEPTION sit in behind the speed and then present for a run at the top of the straight. The plan was executed perfectly by Hakim, traveling well in the run, peeling out as they turned for home and then mounting a compelling run down the Kranji straight, going to the line clear by 1.5 lengths in the good time of 1.10.39

Click HERE to see the replay.

Trainer Donna Logan, who prepared three winners on the day taking her 2022 season total to 18 wins, was in awe of her charge post race “That was just a super effort, we have always known that this boy has ability, but he just kept running in to one or two better on previous race days. But today, he ran the perfect race and was just too big, too strong and was beautifully ridden by Hakim. John Galvin’s Fortuna Stable is on fire, they have had 9 wins for me so far in 2022 and well done to them, they are wonderful supporters of Singapore Racing.”

Deception – wins Restricted Maiden Singapore 14 May 2022

John Galvin, watching from his Hamilton home, was overjoyed with the outcome  “He has really been knocking on the door this horse, he is a lovely type, big and strong and the freshen up and back in trip really worked the oracle today. Hakim, who has had a difficult start to 2022, due to Covid, rode him an absolute treat. Well done to Donna and her team, they are really starting to hit their straps.”

DECEPTION was originally acquired as a yearling by the China Horse Club/Newgate partnership, who fancied him as a Stallion prospect due to his very strong pedigree, for A$750,000 at the 2020 Magic Million Yearling Sale and given to Peter and Paul Snowden to train in Sydney. However after two trials and showing signs of real coltyness, his ownership group decided to sell him unreserved, as they do not race geldings, preferring to focus on Stallion prospects

Fortuna acquired DECEPTION at the April 2021 Inglis Online Sale for just A$65,000, he was  gelded within a couple of days of purchase and shipped to Singapore. He has now accumulated S$105,000 in Stakes money

DECEPTION is raced by the Fortua Deception Syndicate, an ownership group of 37 individuals from New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia

From a family that Te Akau has great affinity with, Malborough Bay (2 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) debuted with victory in the $12,000 Matamata Veterinary Services Maiden 2YO 1200 metres on 13 May at Matamata.

Malborough Bay had produced a well timed finish to win a trial 19 April at Taupo, and overcame an awkward draw (9) on raceday at Matamata to frank his trials performance.

Ridden by Lisa Allpress, Malborough Bay was posted three wide in third, drew to a narrow advantage 200m out and exuded plenty of tenacity to score by a long neck.

“I was really happy with him,” Allpress said. “He jumped relatively well and even though I was three deep with no cover I just felt he was more comfortable in that part of the track. He cornered really well, came into it nicely and was strong to the line, so it was just a really nice effort.”

“It was a tough effort because he had to race three wide,” said trainer Mark Walker, after saddling the 15^thindividual two-year-old winner for the stable this season. “I trained Spin ‘N Grin in her racing career – she was a really good gilly who won thr Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie – she achived a lot in her short racing career and has been a prolific boodmare.”

On Soft5 footing, Malborough Bay ran 1200 metres in 1:11.6, last 600m in 36.1, and returned $8.10 & $2.70 on NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the race replay

MARLBOROUGH BAY – wins on debut – Matamata 13th May 2022

Fortuna Racing also had the pleasure of racing Group 1 placed three-quarter sister Burgundy Belle (Burgundy), winner of four races, who is now in foal to exciting young sire Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt), while Spin ‘N Grin has now left six individual winners of 18 races, including Group 1 and Group 3 placed Éclair Lightning (Darci Brahma).

Fortuna Director John Galvin was on course with a very large contingent of the Ownership Group “That was a great outcome for this horse” he said, “Jamie Richards and now Mark Walker as Trainer have a lot of time for him and have labelled him a potential NZ 2000 Guineas type. Fortuna has had a lot of success with the progeny of Darci Brahma over the years and we have also had a great relationship with the progeny of Spin ‘N Grin,” Galvin said. “Burgundy Belle had a wonderful career and we also enjoyed success in Singapore with two of her sons, Major Tom and Jack’s Secret. Lovely ride by Lisa, she took a risk in keeping him 3 wide, but correctly assessed the state of the tracxk in making that decision.”

Bred by Karyn Fenton-Ellis and Glenn & Cathie Holmes Malborough Bay was acquired by John Galvin  in a private sale for $80,000. He is raced by the Fortuna Marlborough Bay Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 55 individuals.

Marlborugh Bay was strapped by Reece Trumper

Natural ability shone through when Hayate (3 f Maurice – Vamoose)) produced a winning debut in the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares 1200 metres (eligible $11,500 bonus) on 13 May at Matamata.

Hayate had indicated her readiness at the trials when quickening through late for third over 950 metres on 26 April at Cambridge (poly-track), and benefitted from a positive ride by premiership leading Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin. Showing good gate speed to sit in second place outer at the 800m, Hayate quickened to an advantage on straightening, kicking away by two lengths and kept giving to prevail by a short neck at the line

“I wanted to be one out and one back, but Plan B was outside the leader,” a beaming Joe Kamaruddin said after the finish. “She travelled well and finished really strong.”

On Soft5 footing, Hayate ran 1200 metres in 1:11.2, last 600m in 35.9, and paid $10.60 & $3.25 on TAB tote.

“It was a good ride by Joe and he took bad luck out of the equation,” said trainer Mark Walker. “She’s always been pretty shin sore, probably will be again tonight, and we were touch and go getting her here today, so she’ll go out for a spell with a win under her belt. She’ll be right with a bit more time and could stretch over longer distances.”

Click HERE to see race result and replay

HAYATE – wins on debut – Matamata 13th May 2022

Hayate is from the first crop 0f Arrowfield shuttle stallion  Maurice (Screen Hero), the 2015 Japanese Horse of the Year and both Champion Sprinter and Champion Miler, and now one of the hottest young sires in Japan.

Fortuna Director, John Galvin was on course along with a solid contingent from the ownership group  “Well done to David Ellis and Jamie Richards who picked this filly out for us at the 2020 Karaka Yearling Sale,” he said post race. “When we bought her, Maurice was a first season sire and now he’s more than hit his straps in Australia and Japan. It’s lovely to get the Pearl Series bonus on top of the prize money at an industry day race meeting. It was an excellent ride by Joe Kamaruddin to put her in a handy spot and she was good enough to stay on and win.

Raced by Fortuna Hayate Syndicate, an Ownership Group of  60 individuals, Hayate was acquired for $80,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Racing at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud.

Hayate was strapped by Molly Whiteford.

KING ARTHUR produced another strong winning effort in the feature race, the Class 3 1000 Polytrack event, at Singapore’s Kranji racetrack, Sunday 8th May. The winners of four races in a row late 2021/early 2022. he had run three minor places in this grade since, without winning. Freshened up for this 1000m event, he drew nicely in Barrier One – away well Stable Apprentice, F Yusoff, slotted him into 3rd place in the running just behind the two leaders. Cleverly getting KING ARTHUR off the rail as they turned, he then set out after the leader and with a compelling run down the middle of the Kranji straight, was too strong for his rivals and went to the line with a length to spare

Click HERE to see race replay

Trainer Donna Logan, recording her 15th Training success in 2022 was elated after after the race  “That was a great result for this very talented horse – pre race I thought he may have been a bit under done, but he won very nicely regardless and will take a lot of improvement. He was very well handled by Yusoff, he kept his ammunition to the closing stages – congrats to John Galvin and his Fortuna ownership group on recording another Singaore win, their 8th for my stable in 2022”

“King Arthur” – Singapore Win #6 – 08 May 2022

Fortuna Racing’s, John Galvin, watching from his Hamilton home in New Zealand was very delighted “My God, that was a great watch – Yusoff gave him a great ride, got him out into the middle in the run home and chased the leader down in the home straight. Well done to Donna and her team in producing a double for Fortuna Racing on the day.”

Earlier in the programme, OLYMPIA had broken through for his first win in Singapore, at his 6th start in the Fortuna Silks

KING ARTHUR was originally raced in Sydney, Australia as Tintagel by clients of the Bjorn Baker Stable, but after not meeting their expectations, they decided to put him on the market and he was purchased by John Galvin on the advice of former Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker, out of the October 2020 Inglis Digital Sale for A$25,000. He is raced by the Fortuna King Arthur Syndicate, an ownership group of 31 individuals from New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia. He has now accumulated S$230 000 with six wins, five 2nds and two thirds  from 17 starts in Singapore,

The  four-year-old gelding Olympia (Gingerbread Man – Second Omen)  finally shed his Maiden tag with a compelling victory in the Class 5 1000 meter Polytrack event at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse 8th of May. Narrowly beaten last time when carrying 59 kg, connections made a decision to engage 3kg claiming apprentice rider Jerlyn Seow when the horse was allocated the same weight for this event. Away well from the barrier Olympia settled nicely into third place and held that position in the run – he seemed to be under some pressure as they turned for home, but then mounted a strong finishing burst down the middle of the track to go to the line with a one length margin.

Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna Racing’s European bred Stayer, KHAFEEF, delivered a strong winning performance when taking out the 2200m Highweight event at Hawera 27th April. Inclined to over race in his races, this time he settled nicely for rider Shaun Fannin, was back in the running, close to last as they turned for home but finished resolutely to win by a short neck on the line. This was his 2nd win in New Zealand and his 3rd career win altogether

Click HERE to see the race replay

KHAFEEF wins at Hawera 27th April – Shaun Fannin aboard

KHAFEEF, who had raced in France as a 3yo for one win and a 2nd from four starts, was acquired by John Galvin, with the assistance of International Bloodstock Agent, Hubie De Burgh, at the 2019 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale for 28,000 Guineas (NZ$60k approx).

He is raced by the Fortuna Khafeef Syndicate, an ownership group comprising 71 individuals, in the main New Zealanders, but with three of the Group from Hong Kong

Headline News;
 
Khafeef wins Highweight event at Hawera with Shaun Fannin aboard – bringing up Fortuna’s 17th win so far in 2022

KHAFEEF – wins Hawera  27th April 2022

Singapore Turf Club re opens its doors to the public after two years of “crowd free” attendances
 

Fortuna has six runners this weekend – two in NZ, four in Singapore

New Zealand – Saturday 30th

Ragamuffin will contest the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders Stakes over 1200m at Te Rapa – Race 5 at 2.47pm and will be ridden by Jason Laking from an outside barrier – the winner of two in a row from just three career starts, he then failed to shine, this course this trip 16^th April after being away tardily and getting no favours in the run – meets a very strong field here, has a shocking draw to contend with and would need everything to go right to feature

Navalha  races in the Rating 65 1600m – Race 8 @ 4.34 pm – a 2^nd placing in the R74 1400 at Avondale and another 2^ndplacing in the R65 1400 at Te Rapa 16^th April is good form for this race – Opie Bosson to ride – steps up to 1600m for the first time and if he sees the trip out is a good each way chance

Singapore – Saturday 30th

Entertainer races in The Kranji Stakes B Turf event – Race 5 at 6pm NZT – a seven time winner in Singapore, he has been struggling to find form of late and this week races at a trip he has never won at and on a surface that he has never won on – does get a 3 kg allowance and the ace draw but is hard to have in this event

Hidden Promise contests the Class 5 1600 Polytrack event – Race 6 at 6.30pm NZT. This veteran nine year old has won seven races in Singapore in his long career, gets his favourite trip here and is on his winning mark – also carries a featherweight courtesy of Jerlyn Seow’s 3kg claim from a nice barrier draw – can run into the prizemoney here

Hadeer races in the Class 3 1200 Turf event – Race 8 at 7.30pm NZT – a 5 time career winner, Hadeer won three in a row in Singapore in the spring of 2021, has been running good races since without winning – Jake Bayliss rides from barrier 2 – an on pace runner, he can certainly feature in this event – each way

Brutus is in the same race – a 5 time winner in Singapore, including 4 wins since September, he was freshened after a victory in Class 4 this trip 13^th March. Leading rider Manoel Nunes sticks with him and he will jump from Barrier 3. Not always easy to make the transit from Class 4 to Class 3, but he is a talented galloper and represents a strong each way chance here

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

1st Pick: BRUTUS (9)
Holds a 50% first two placing when racing over this course and distance for the strong Logan stable. Looks well placed and with luck in the run will be in the multiples.
2nd Pick: PATTAYA (10)
Strong statistics for this race with two wins and a placing from three starts over this course and distance. There is only an eight-point spread for this race and looks a big player.
3rd Pick: HADEER (2)
On speed runner who likes to be up there and put the pressure on the field. Rates well for this and performs well in this class. Market watch.
4th Pick: CRYSTAL WARRIOR (5)
Looking for a hat-trick of wins but makes the shift to the turf after being dominant on the Polytrack at his last two starts. Trialed nicely since his last win and must be in contention.

Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday 26^th April

Leaderboard (N Parmar) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.15.4.

Navalha (O Bosson) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.01.87.

Soprano Supreme (H Durrant) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.3.2.

Thursday 28th April

Ragamuffin (N Parmar) galloped over the 1000 metres in 1.11.5, home in 40.8.
Navalha (O Bosson) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.08.2, home in 41.6.

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Saturday 23rd April

Trident (Jamil) with Rocky (Aiman) – 600 41;

Tuesday 26th^th April

Briggs (Aslam) – 800 39; Brutus (Nunes) – 1000/600 39;

Guest Selector – Des Coppins
 
Hi John and Team – It was too difficult for my tip Mega Bourbon to eat into the two pacemakers big leads in the sprint last week. The rain came 12 hours later. Too little, too late for Mega Bourbon but no excuses really. He simply wasn’t on his A-game. He’ll keep. Let’s turn the page and focus on Saturday 30^th

I’m going to be greedy and look for a two-leg multi on Saturday but my confident levels are high.
My first leg is in race two at Te Rapa, The Fearless One. This horse has x-factor written all over him. After winning effortlessly on Oaks Day at Trentham he was allowed to freshen, won a sprint trial at Foxton and went to Woodville to run a game second to Sergio over a mile. He carried two kgs more and of course Sergio backed up to win the Anzac Mile on Monday at Awapuni. Trust me, only bad luck will stop The Fearless winning an important Cup race next year.

My second leg of the multi is Aris Aris who is in race 4 at Wanganui.
This filly impressed immensely at the trials before resuming at at Te Rapa with a game challenge against the talented Te Akau galloper, Cote de Beaune a fortnight ago.  She’s drawn to perfection and her acceleration will see her either leading or trailing the leader. I like her a lot.
When I filed this piece to John G the bookies odds weren’t available, but I’m hoping for a $5-$6 priced  multi with the pair.  At these odds I’d be very happy!

Des runs  his very popular phone tipping line (you can access this by calling 0900 45459 – note this incurs a charge of $2.99 per minute) – this service has been active for over 25 years and covers all NZ gallops from 8am each race day).

Fortuna Shares for Sale

We have shares in two horses currently on our website – the proven two win Irish bred staying type MILESTONE, by Mastercraftsman, whom we have acquired to specifically contest the 2 Mile Cups races in the coming season and the Karaka Yearling, the Merchant Navy – Anchovy Colt “Salty”

MILESTONE, who had been agisting at Phoenix Park near Cambridge since arriving in NZ early March, is now at Catherine Cleghorne’s property at Waiuku Beach, where he will undergo 6 weeks of pre-traing in the beach environment before transferring to the care of Mark Walker at Matamata around the end of May – just 5% left in this nice staying type

“Salty” is now 5 weeks into his breaking in programme and is handling everything with aplomb – this fellow has been labelled as a “get up and go Two Year Old type” – just 6.5% left in this classy yearling

Both of these offerings can be viewed on the Fortuna website HERE