Entertainer put on a great show for his connections when leading all the way to win the Class 4 1100m event on the Polytrack at Kranji Saturday 13th of February. Drawn in barrier five, his rider K Hakim was determined to take no prisoners and punched the four-year-old son of Zoustar out of the mare Laughing, straight to the lead –  left alone in front, Entertainer set a steady pace and on turning for home Hakim gave the horse a bit of rein and he quickly put two lengths on his rivals – while that margin narrowed in the last hundred metres or so, Entertainer was simply too strong and went to the post winning by half a length.

Click HERE to see the race replay

Trainer Mark Walker was very proud of his charge “he is a lovely horse with a lot of natural speed but in his early races here he was inclined to over race, however we have taught him to relax and now he has developed into a really talented type”

Entertainer winning in Singapore – 13th February 2021

Entertainer was acquired by Mark Walker on behalf of Fortuna in December 2019, for A$20,000 from an Inglis online digital sale. He had been acquired originally as a yearling for A$150,000 by a high profile ownership group, who had stallion making prospects in mind. Trained by Chris Waller, he showed some ability, but having needed to geld him and then after four non winning races in Australia, they offered him for sale on the Inglis platform.

Fortuna has one runner in NZ and four runners in Singapore this Saturday 13^thFebruary but one is Ballot 1 and needs a scratching to get a start

NZ

Melody Belle is poised on the edge of history as she attempts to win the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group One  – 2000m  – $400,000) – Race 8 at Te Rapa – currently  the joint holder of the record for New Zealand trained horses for  Group One wins (13) along with Sunline, if Melody Belle could win on Saturday she would go to 14 G1 wins and be the sole holder of the record. Drawn barrier 8 in a field of 10 runners with Opie Bosson to ride, she is a very short priced fixed odds favourite with the TAB @1.45. She is the highest rated horse in the field in this weight for age event and looks to be very hard to beat

Singapore

Marcus Antonius is in the Open Maiden race 1600m Turf  (race 2) – the three-year-old son of Sepoy has been somewhat of an enigma with his racing in Singapore to date showing really good efforts in track work but being rather ordinary on race day – he was definitely better at his previous start and now gets up on trip to 1600m – Hakim to ride claiming 3kgs – hard to be confident about his chances but the step up in trip will be of benefit to him

Entertainer races in the class 4 1100 event on the Poly (Race 3) – this striking son of Zoustar is a last start winner at maiden level and has a solid record in Singapore date from his five starts there – he does step up in grade in this race in quite a strong field – will be ridden by star apprentice K Kakim who claims 3kg  – this won’t be easy, but with a reasonable draw and with only 49 kg to carry, he can certainly make his showing here and does represent a good place chance\

Here is how the Singapore Turf Club tipsters see this race;

1st Pick: WINNING HOBBY (5)

Ignore last two starts when he was caught wide and could not quite put in inside the last 400m. Has drawn an alley and will be a bigger threat this time.

2nd Pick: HEADHUNTER (1)

Loomed last start but then plodded on for sixth. Will appreciate three-kilo claim. Drawn awkwardly. Each-way claims in this easier affair.

3rd Pick: RADIANT SUCCESS (3)

Badly interfered at start on debut. Made up some late ground. Worth some thought second-up.

4th Pick: ENTERTAINER (8)

Scored nice win at fifth start. Rises in class. Not out of this. Can have a say.

Cassius contests the Maiden 1200 event race on the Poly (Race 5)  – another one who has been quite disappointing in his Singapore starts to date –  will be ridden by Troy See claiming 1kg from barrier 6 – gets the blinkers on this time but needs to show some significant improvement in order to feature

Federation was very strong in winning the Class 4 1200 last Sunday and is on a quick backup in this Class 3 1200m  event on the Turf (Race 7) – a 5 win horse in Singapore, he goes up in grade here,  has won in class three before but does need a scratching to get a start – will jump from barrier seven if he does so and will carry 51.5 kg courtesy of the claim from rider Jerlyn Seow –  can make his presence felt if he gets a start

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 9th February

 Rhapsody In Blue (M Roustoby) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 55.2, home in 40.5.

Melody Belle (O Bosson) galloped over 1200 metres in 1.15.9, last 600 in 36.5.

Polaris (O Bosson) galloped over an easy 600 metres in 41.

Thursday 11th February

Navalha (R Khan) worked nicely at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.7.

Melody Belle (O Bosson) looked good galloping over an easy 1200 metres in 1.25, last 600 in 42.

OTHER NEWS

Shares still available in our latest Australian bred “tried horse” the Two Year Old MOHAWK – Singapore bound, he is agisting in NSW ahead of his departure for Singapore late February – $3100 for a 2.5% share –

Click HERE to read more

MOHAWK

Federation (5yo gelding by Written Tycoon-Bloomingdale Miss) put in a controlled, no-nonsense effort at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse Sunday 7th February, to secure his 5th career win in Singapore in the Class 4 1200 meter event on the Turf. Federation had not seen the winners circle since November 2019, due to a combination of events, such as a foot issue, the Covid lockdown and being balloted out on four occasions since racing resumed in July 2020. However the stars seem to be aligned for him pre-race with the ace barrier draw, a 3 kg claim from Singapore leading apprentice K Hakim and a solid, rather unlucky second placing at his  previous start, three weeks earlier,  the same trip, same grade. Sent out an odds on favourite by punters, Federation was beautifully ridden by Hakim, settling two spots back on the rail in the running – always travelling nicely, it seemed that he would need some luck to find a gap on turning, but conveniently the leader rolled off the rail, Federation dived through, took the lead and never looked in doubt over the last 200m securing the win by 3/4 of a length over the fast finishing Mr Hooper.

Click HERE to see the race replay

“Federation” – 5th win at Kranji – 07 February 2021

Te Akau Racing Stables trainer, Mark Walker, who trained three winners on the day, was effusive in his praise of Federation “He’s a very nice horse, who has had a good record in Singapore but has not had all favours this last year or so due to a combination of events – he has a great team of owners who I’m sure will enjoy their success and I thank them for their patience”

Fortuna Syndications Director, John Galvin, watching the race from his New Zealand home, was also a very happy man “That was a great result for the horse and his ownership team –  he’s been knocking on the door and now he gets the result with a very nice ride by Hakim – full credit to Mark Walker who has had to steer the horse though some issues.”

Federation was acquired by John Galvin on the advice of Mark Walker at the Inglis Digital sale in May 2018 for A$90,000. Federation has now accumulated S$233,000 in prize money for the Fortuna Federation Syndicate, an ownership group of 42 individuals, mainly NZ based but with representation in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Laos and France.

The win was a bitter sweet moment for one of of his New Zealand based owners, Steve Wiltshire who, a couple of days before the race had suffered the loss of his partner, Georgina Symons, a point noted by Singapore race commentator, Nick Childs, as FEDERATION went past the winning post.

Fortuna has three runners in Singapore this Sunday 7th February, but two are Ballot 1 and each need a scratching to get a start

Singapore

Federation runs in the Class 4 1200m on the Turf (Race 3) and has drawn the number one barrier – a 4 time winner in Singapore he was quite unlucky last start running 2^nd without much luck in the run home. K Hakim will ride claiming 3kgs. Ace draw, top apprentice claiming 3kgs, good form – is right in this and is a very good each way chance

Here is how the Singapore Turf Club tipsters see this race;

1st Pick: FEDERATION (1)

Gallant second to In All His Glory when eased back in class last time out. Has drawn an alley. Big say.

2nd Pick: STYLE (7)

Has not fared too badly in two runs. Making slow headway and with champion jockey Vlad Duric doing the steering, he may well land a blow here.

3rd Pick: THE ARCHER (13)

Scored in a thriller last start but faces stiffer opposition here. Worth some thought for a place.

4th Pick: GALAXY STAR (11)

Another one with the In All His Glory formline. Ran on for fourth that day. Include in calculations

“Federation” – winning at Kranji –

Elliot Ness is a newcomer to Singapore and has been taking all before him in his trials winning two and placing second in a third  – he is in the Restricted Maiden 1100 metres on the Polytrack (Race 2) but unfortunately has come up with ballot 1 and so needs a scratching in order to get a start.  A very promising type who has caught the eye of a few good judges in Singapore – if he does get a run he will be hard to keep out

Cassius is in the Open Maiden 1200 met eevent (Race 4) on the Polytrack, but has also come up with Ballot 1 –  he has been rather ordinary in his two previous Singapore starts but is maturing all the time – if he does get a run he will find this trip too short

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 2nd February

Madame Moet (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.12, last 600 in 43.

Thursday 4th February

Madame Moet (T Harris) galloped nicely over an easy 1000 metres in 1.09.3, home in 40.6.

OTHER NEWS

Melody Belle has come through her Thorndon Mile victory in great shape and will have her next start at Te Rapa 13^th February in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Group One – 2000m – $400,000) – a race in which she will attempt to become the sole record holder for Group One wins by a NZ horse

Dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands – Meleka Belle) took a step closer to the all-time Group One record when winning the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on Saturday at Trentham.

Equalling the 13 Group One wins set by mighty mare, Sunline, in the years 1998 to 2002, Melody Belle will receive a chance to further her record in the $400,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) on 13 February at Te Rapa.

From the time, as a two-year-old, she got her career off to a perfect start with a polished display in the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series 900 metres at Ruakaka in October 2016, Melody Belle has been the epitome of equine professionalism and now equals the Group One record for NZ thoroughbreds  after “climbing the equine Everest”, as said by race day commentator Tony Lee.

In the same race as won by her great-grandmother Honey Belle, Melody Belle came from a handy position and proved too classy under rider Opie Bosson, recording his second win in the race and 79^th Group One overall.

Click HERE to watch race replay

Melody Belle – Winning Thorndon Mile – Trentham 30th January 2021

“It was a very good win by a Champion mare and I’m really proud of everything she’s been able to do for Te Akau Racing Fortuna Syndications and the New Zealand racing industry,” said leading trainer Jamie Richards.

“Her first run off a break, to win over a mile first-up is a massive effort. She had been looking good in training and she got the job done in great fashion. We owe thanks to Dave (Ellis) for buying her as a yearling, and to John (Galvin) and his team for entrusting us to train her. She’s been such a great campaigner and probably her two greatest attributes is competitiveness and her soundness. She’s been issue free all the way through, which is a really big help and makes my job a lot easier.”

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $57,500 as a yearling at Karaka, Melody Belle has now won of 18 races from 36 starts including 13 at Group One level, 2 at Group  Two level, on at Group 3 level and one at Listed level (the Karaka Million) and $4.14 million prize money for owners in the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, managed by Fortuna Director, John Galvin.

“It was pretty exciting, while also a shame for a couple of others in the race that appeared to meet with trouble,” Ellis said, “It’s quite an incredible training performance to go from November to the end of January without a race and win like that over 1600 metres. You can do it over 1200m, but you’ve really got to know what you’re doing fresh-up over a mile and she’ll improve immensely for that run.

“I take my hat off to Jamie (Richards) and the team. It’s a great effort and I was really impressed. For Melody Belle to be mentioned in the same breath as Sunline is quite amazing. I’m proud of the whole team and also of John Galvin. He’s a terrific supporter of Te Akau Racing in New Zealand, and in Singapore, and he does a great job syndicating the horses.”

Ellis, as a buyer of young thoroughbreds, is always looking for horses that have the scope in their physiques to train on, and in Melody Belle he has the perfect example.

“All our Karaka Million winners, except On the Bubbles who hasn’t had a chance yet, have gone on to win Group One races. That’s four out of five, with Melody Belle winning 13, Avantage six, and Probabeel two in Australia.

“As a two-year-old, Melody Belle won two Sires’ Produce Stakes, one in New Zealand and one in Australia. She’s got better at three, four, and five, and having her best ever season as a six-year-old, and that’s the sort of horse we’re trying to buy. We’re very busy at home syndicating the yearlings we’ve bought over the past couple of weeks. It’s proving to be a huge success and we’ve never sold so many shares so quickly. We’ve had a lot on interest from new owners and a lot of reinvestment by existing owners, so it’s very encouraging. And, when I’m going around the farm and seeing all these yearlings I can’t wait until they’re racing next season because I think we’ve bought the best line of yearlings I’ve ever seen on the farm.”

Accepting the trophy on behalf of the owners, syndicate manager John Galvin said: “It’s fantastic to come here and win a Group One race at Trentham. I was brought up in Lower Hutt, and as a teenager Trentham was like a second home to me and would watch the racing from the public enclosure. In  those days, I often wondered if I could get to the “other side” of the fence in the Members enclosure  particularly as a winning owner. I made it here in 2007 as a member of the Darci Brahma syndicate when he won the Telegraph Handicap (Gr. 1, 1200m) and it’s an honour to be back again today. I would like to thank Marie Leicester who bred Melody Belle. It’s an iconic race to win and won previously by some great horses: Panzer Chief, Kaukapakapa, Grey Way, Copper Belt, McGinty, Maroofity, Sir Slick, Alamosa, Wall Street and many more.

“David Ellis did a great job buying her for us as a yearling at Karaka 2016 sale. She was under budget and met the specs I’d given him to try and win the Karaka Million. She did that and of course she’s kicked on and it’s such a wonderful story. Thank you to Jamie Richards, who has been with her since he began his training career. It’s been a wonderful ride, and also a nod to Stephen Autridge who was in partnership with Jamie for the first two years of her racing career.

“And finally a huge congrats congratulations to the 35 members of her ownership group, ordinary every day New Zealanders (and on Aussie) from all over the countryside – we have had a great time together in the past for years enjoying the extraordinary success that this wonderful Mayer has brought to us all”

Returrning to scale with Opie Bosson aboard, led by part owner Carol Doyle assisted by Nicole Shailer

Melody Belle was strapped by Nicole Shailer.

Fortuna has five runners in Singapore this Saturday 30th January with the possibility of a 6^th and one runner at Trentham the same day

Singapore

 Marcus Antonius runs in the restricted maiden 1400m on the Turf (Race 2) and has drawn the number one barrier – this three-year-old is proving to be somewhat of an enigma in Singapore working well on the track but failing to produce on race day – he has had some gear changes and a change in his working pattern and connections are looking for an improved performance with senior rider J P Van der Merwe aboard. Will need to show big improvement to feature

Showbound contests the Maiden 1200m event on the Turf (Race 4) and will be ridden by Benny Woodworth from Barrier 11. Backing up from a solid third placing same trip last week he has a difficult draw here to contend with but if he gets the right run can feature in the money

Here is how the Singapore Turf Club tipsters see this race;

1st Pick: IMA (2)

Steven Burridge could well hold the key to this race and the selection is one of his newcomers to Kranji in the shape of Ima. Placed over this distance in Australia, he has trialled well and looks ready.

2nd Pick: SAGE (1)

Stablemate of the selection. Has also trialled well and has sound place form in New Zealand from only a handful of runs. One of the more interesting runners here.

3rd Pick: SHOWBOUND (3)

Third only last week and can run well again.

4th Pick: ST ALWYN (5)

Has proven rather unreliable but has bits and pieces of form and Vlad Duric is booked.

Sportscaster runs in the class five 1700m event on the Poly (Race 7) and draws the ace barrier. Kept to sprint trips over recent starts, he is rockhard fit and gets back to his favourite distance – he also gets the benefit of jockey Jerlyn Seow’s 4kg claim. Likes to lead and if he gets a soft run here, he could be hard to run down particularly with the claim – could be at generous odds

Hidden Promise also runs in the class five 1700m event on the Poly (Race 7) but has a more difficult barrier draw at 10. Also gets a claim of 3kgs courtesy of leading apprentice K Hakim. Will love this trip, will need to go back from the draw. He is a 6 win horse in Singapore in a relatively weak field and does represent an excellent chance here to run in the money if he can get past the stable mate in the closing stages

 Here is how the Singapore Turf Club tipsters see this race;

1st Pick: TSURIAN (11)

Caught the eye last time out and can go a couple of placings better here.

2nd Pick: HIDDEN PROMISE (3)

The extra distance is a big help and can go very close in a competitive heat.

3rd Pick: ZOFFSPEED (7)

The only last-start winner in the field and commands plenty of respect.

4th Pick: FORT MUSTANG (9)

Has to prove he stays but is trained by the right man to do so. Interesting.

Brutus, who has been an ultra consistent performer in Singapore during his short career there, gets his chance to shine in the class 4 1200 event on the Poly (Race 8). Has to jump from barrier 10 but has Benny Woodworth in the saddle and is well suited at the white scale in this event. Is a genuine top three contender in this race if he gets some luck from the draw

 Entertainer, a last start winner, contests the class 4 1100m event on the Poly (Race 10) but has come up with Ballot 1 and needs a scratching to get a start-  if he does get a start he has a tricky barrier (10) to contend with – if he gets the right run, is a good each way chance

Trentham

Dual horse of the year Melody Belle resumes racing in the Group One Thorndon mile at Trentham tomorrow – if she is able to win this race she will equal the mighty Sunlin’s record of 13 group one wins – her preparation has been perfect and she is ready to run a mighty race in a small field of eight runners – Opie Bosson takes the mount from Barrier 1. The $1.55 price on TAB Fixed Odds says it all

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 19^th January

Melody Belle (O Bosson) galloped very nicely over 1200 metres in 1.16, home in 35.8.

Leaderboard (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.8, home in 45.1.

Ragamuffin (S Parmar) galloped over an easy 600 metres in 39.5.

Thursday 28th January

Melody Belle (O Bosson) looked great galloping over an easy 1200 metres in 1.26, home in 41.

Leaderboard (S Parmar) galloped nicely over 1000 metres in 1.08, home in 39.

OTHER NEWS

Fortuna secures an outstanding Filly by International Stallion Iffraaj at Karaka Yearling Sale

Details

Sire – Iffraaj – A Highly successful International Shuttle Stallion – sire of close to 900 winners including 73 Stakes winners – Sire of Gingernuts, Jon Snow, Turn Me Loose and Wyndspelle

Dam – Ma Belle Ami, a three time winning mare by Commands, she was a winner as a Two Year Old – she is the dam of three foals to race including two that have qualified for the Karaka Million in 2020 and 2021, Tivaan Warrior and Seven Twenty. This is the family of Sheezallmine, the winner of six races, all at 1200 metres

IFFRAAJ- MA BELLE AMI Yearling Filly

Shares now available at $6600 per 5% share – this includes horse purchase price, GST, Karaka Million entry fee, Promoters fees, Insurance to January 2022 and working capital – shares are available right down to 1%. Ongoing costs commence 1 April at $200 per month per 5% share ($40 per month per 1% share)

Contact John Galvin HERE by email or call/txt 021 921 460 to secure your share

Details

Sire – Iffraaj – A Highly successful International Shuttle Stallion – sire of close to 900 winners including 73 Stakes winners – Sire of Gingernuts, Jon Snow, Turn Me Loose and Wyndspelle

Dam – Ma Belle Ami, a three time winning mare by Commands, she was a winner as a Two Year Old – she is the dam of three foals to race including two that have qualified for the Karaka Million in 2020 and 2021, Tivaan Warrior and Seven Twenty. This is the family of Sheezallmine, the winner of six races, all at 1200 metres

IFFRAAJ- MA BELLE AMI Yearling Filly

Shares now available at $6600 per 5% share – this includes horse purchase price, GST, Karaka Million entry fee, Promoters fees, Insurance to January 2022 and working capital – shares are available right down to 1%. Ongoing costs commence 1 April at $200 per month per 5% share ($40 per month per 1% share)

Contact John Galvin HERE by email or call/txt 021 921 460 to secure your share

John Galvin says “This Filly looks like a real runner – her pedigree page contains a lot of 2yo speed and her physical appearance matches her pedigree – we had identified her at inspections as a type that was a real chance to get up and going early and be a real live chance to qualify for the Karaka Million in 2022″

Trainer Jamie Richards says “John, David Ellis and I marked this filly down as one that would be ideal for your Fortuna team – a real racy type with great confirmation, you won’t have to wait long for her”

Click HERE to see link to this Filly’s pedigree page and a Video Clip of her parading

Not many win two in a row and certainly not often winning one at Maiden level and then one at rating 65 level at the very next start,  however Fortuna three-year-old NAVALHA (Sebring-Afiado) did just that when winning the rating 65 1200 at Matamata today. Starting from Barrier three, he was slightly tardy away and finished up near the back of the field and on the rail, however rider Troy Harris, unflappable as ever, was content to lob along during the running, eased the horse off the rail before they turned, went to the outside and Navalha stormed home like a good horse winning by a length on the line.

Click HERE to see race result and replay

Fortuna Director, John  Galvin, was on course along with about 35 Members of Navalha’s ownership group and he was a very happy man. “Great result for the horse, lovely ride by Troy and another win for Jamie Richards, his 99th for the season in NZ – and great to see so many happy owners here, many of whom have traveled from far and wide and some are experiencing their first race day win.”

“Navalha” – wins again – Matamata 25th January 2021

NAVALHA (which means “Razor” in Portuguese), a 3yo Gelding by Sebring out of the Encosta de Lago Mare, Afiado, was acquired by John Galvin on the recommendation of Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker, for just A$27,500 from the Inglis Digital Sale late July 2020 after having been originally acquired by his previous owners for A$450k as a yearling.

Navalha is raced by the Fortuna Navalha Syndicate, an ownership group of 57 individuals, several  of whom are brand new to horse ownership

Navalha was strapped by Sumeet Pillay

Details

Sire – Lonhro – A Champion Racehorse in Australia with 26 wins and now a Champion Stallion having sired 912 winners including 89 Stakes winners

Dam – Palace Gardens, a mare by More Than Ready, she was unraced due to a paddock injury, but boy is she from an incredible family. This is the family of Hong Kong cup winner Romanee Conti, dual Caulfield/Melbourne Cups winner Ethereal and the successful stallions at stud, Darci Brahma and Burgundy plus many other successful thoroughbreds

Yearling Colt by Lonhro out of Palace Garden

Shares now available at $6600 per 5% share – this includes horse purchase price, GST, Karaka Million entry fee, Promoters fees, Insurance to January 2022 and working capital – shares are available right down to 1%. Ongoing costs commence 1 April at $200 per month per 5% share ($40 per month per 1% share)

Contact John Galvin HERE by email or call/txt 021 921 460 to secure you share

John Galvin says “pre-sale I had gone through the catalogue as always and marked a number of horses based on the pedigree page that I would like to own, bearing in mind that Fortuna always buys to budget –  this Lonhro Colt was one of them and I was pleased to hear from David Ellis and Jamie Richards that they had marked him highly at their inspections, saying that he was clean, sound, physically correct and a beautiful walker – they did say however that they thought he would sell for more than my budget but they were going to buy the horse anyway – much to my surprise and pleasure he was knocked down to David for within our budget and will now be a Fortuna syndicated horse that we are very happy to own”

Trainer Jamie Richards says “John, David Ellis and I really liked this Colt at inspections, he is a neat, medium sized Colt who is physically correct, is a lovely mover and we think he can make a Two Year Old and is a chance to qualify for the 2022 Karaka Million”

Click HERE to see link to this Colt’s pedigree page and a Video Clip of him parading

Fortuna has two runners in Singapore this Saturday 23rd January and one runner at Matamata on Monday 25^th January

Saturday

4yo Gelding, Showbound, contests the Maiden 1100m event on the Polytrack (Race 2) and will be ridden by Benny Woodworth from Barrier 6. Yet to break Maidens from eight Singapore starts so far but has run into the money on several occasions. Is a top four chance in this and can win with the right run.

Here is how the Singapore Turf Club tipsters see this race;

1st Pick: YES ONE BALL (4)

Third last time out was a better effort and has won a trial since. Best of an ordinary bunch.

2nd Pick: JUST STARS (3)

Has more form than most and should go well.

3rd Pick: SHOWBOUND (2)

Ran well enough last start behind stablemate Entertainer and wouldn’t shock if he shapes up well here.

4th Pick: SUPER PINS (1)

One to include for the multiples in this trappy little heat.

3yo Gelding, Marcus Antonius, contests the Open Maiden 1400m event on the Turf (Race 5). Failing to flatter in his first four Singapore races in Restricted Maiden Grade, he showed good improvement when finishing 6^th1200m 3^rd January. Gets up to 1400m here in an easier Grade – has Benny Woodworth in the saddle from the ace draw and is well treated at the weights. Is a good each way chance in  this

Monday

3yo Gelding, Navalha, was impressive breaking Maidens at his NZ race debut Matamata 23^rd December and gets his chance to make it back to back wins in the Rating 65 1200m event (Race 4) at Matamata. Drawn nicely in Barrier 3 with Troy Harris to ride, this athletic son of Sebring is a strong each way chance in this

“Navalha” – wins on NZ debut – Matamata 23rd December 2020

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 19^th January

Navalha (O Bosson) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.07.5, last 600 in 38.8.

Thursday 21st January

No timed trackwork for Fortuna runners today

OTHER NEWS

Dual Horse of The Year, Melody Belle, was exceptional in an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa Wednesday 20^thJan ahead of resuming on race day at Trentham 30^th January where she will contest the Thorndon Mile (G1 -1600m – $200,000)