Four Fortuna runners this Saturday 5^th December, all in Singapore.

8yo Gelding Hidden Promise contests the Class 5 1100m on the Poly (Race 1). This five win horse has never won at a trip short of 1600m and they will probably go too quick for him over this trip – however he has shown ability over sprint trips when in a fresh state – and does get 3kg weight relief courtesy of Hakim’s claim – so is an outside chance of running in the first four.

5yo Gelding Hadeer, a last start winner this grade  7^th Nov, has been freshened for this Class 4 event on the Turf – Race 4.. Will be ridden by the talented Benny Woodworth, but has drawn the outside barrier of 1400m. Will go forward from the draw. A talented type, this does seem to be a bit of an ask to go fresh 1400m from the wide draw but can feature.

Here is how the Singapore Turf Club form analysts see this race;

1st Pick: ASGARD MASSIF (3)

A chance can be taken with this James Peters trained runner judged on a goode course and distance run a couple of starts ago.

2nd Pick: LUCKY IMPERATOR (4)

Nice win last time out and looks upwardly mobile. One to keep on the right side of.

3rd Pick: BUURAQ (1)

The top weight and classy on his day. Should have a part to play in this heat.

4th Pick: HADEER (2)

The barrier has not been kind but if overcoming it, he can take a hand in the finish.

4yo Gelding Entertainer has been freshened after an indifferent performance on a wet track in September. Still a Maiden, he runs out of his grade in this Class 4 1000m event on the Poly – Race 7. However he trialed very strongly 10^th November. A fierce going type in his first 3 runs in Singapore, he has relaxed a lot more in his track work of late. Gets a mid field draw, will be ridden by Benny Woodworth – if he can relax and there is a solid tempo, he can certainly run into the money.

Here is how the Singapore Turf Club form analysts see this race;

1st Pick: PINDUS (5)

Scored a massive win with blinkers on at his barrier trial last week. Will carry the same gear for the first time. If he brings his sparkling trial form to the races, he will take some beating.

2nd Pick: GOLDEN FLAME (2)

Squeezed in home straight at last outing but would not have beaten the winner The August. This is easier and apprentice jockey’s three-kilo claim will help as well. Should be thereabouts when the whips are cracking.

3rd Pick: SUN STEP (6)

Spent force in home straight after working overtime from a wide barrier to race up with the speed. Barrier one will be a major plus this time. Can atone.

4th Pick: ENTERTAINER (9)

After two promising runs, went backwards at his last start even though he had a dream run in the box seat. Senior jockey jumps back on. Deserves another chance.

6yo Gelding Red Rover contests the Class 2 1100m event on the  Poly. Another out of his Grade, he has a horror draw (14) in a very strong field. Will only carry 47kgs with apprentice CK Ng aboard, but has little chance in this race and will be better suited by Class 3.

Fortuna Trackwork at Matamata this week

Tuesday 1st December

Madame Moet (J Kamaruddin) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 54.8, home in 40.6.

Thursday 3rd December

Burgundy Belle (T Harris) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.08.6, last 600 in 39.8 –

Other News

Annual Fortuna Owners Day to be held at “The Gazebo” Matamata Race Course Sunday 6^th December 1pm

Two Fortuna runners this  Saturday 21st November, both in Singapore.

4yo Gelding Brutus (by Rubick) has been freshened from his last start win in Singapore Sept 19th and resumes in the Novice 1200m event Turf (Race 5 @7pm NZT) with Benny Woodworth aboard. Brutus has had eight starts in Singapore and has never finished outside the first three. Hard to fault this horse, but meets a strong field here and has an outside barrier draw to contend with, but is very speedy and has the right man in the saddle. A  lot of rain recently in Singapore and a wet track will probably not suit him. If he can overcome the wide gate and gets a dry track, he is a good each way chance.

Here is how the Singapore Turf Club form analysts see this race;

1st Pick: SURE WILL DO (3)

In what is a super little Novice event, it can pay to side with Sure Will Do who looks very smart on the back of an Open Maiden win. He is better than the bare form of that victory and looks a talented horse in the making.

2nd Pick: DAY APPROACH (7)

A bold win last time and won’t mind dropping back in trip here. From a powerful stable and should go very close.

3rd Pick: BOOMBA (12)

Excellent on debut but then let his followers down next time on better ground, and rain beforehand will enhance the chance of this Clii Brown-trained runner and that could well happen.

4th Pick: BRUTUS (1)

Has been ultra-consistent and that resulted in a nice win last start. This is tougher but he can certainly run very well.

 BRUTUS (inside) – Wins in Singapore 19th September 2019

5yo Federation (by Written Tycoon) starts in the Class 2 1600m Turf (Race 8 @8.30pm NZT). A four time winner in Singapore, Federation has struggled to find form in 2020, having battled a foot issues (now resolved) and lack of consistent racing. Will be ridden from Barrier 10 by Louis Beuzelin. Is out of his grade here and goes to 1600m for the first time ever so hard to be confident of him running into the money.

Fortuna Track work

Tuesday 17th November

 No timed Fortuna trackwork this morning

Thursday 19th November

Burgundy Belle – (T Harris) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.08.6, last 600 in 39.8. She is on track to contest the Levin Stakes at Otaki Thursday 26^th November

Other News

Fortuna secures a lovely Darci Brahma Yearling Colt to add to its team. Shares available – Click HERE to read more

Three Fortuna runners this  weekend, one at Tauranga Saturday 14^th November and two in Singapore, Sunday 15^th.

3yo Filly Soprano Supreme (Contributer – Falsetto) makes her race day debut at Tauranga (Race 2 @ 12.53pm and will be ridden by  Stable Apprentice, Chelsea Burdan  who claims 2kgs from a mid field barrier. A slow maturing staying type of filly, her work has been pleasing off the back of a good trial at Taupo 27^th October. On debut she is hard to assess on this field but is bound to take improvement from this debut run

3yo Gelding Cassius (by Street Boss)  takes his place in the Open Maiden 1400m event Turf (Race 8@ 8.30pm NZT) on Sunday, He did not set the world on fire from his debut Singapore start (1200m Poly) in July. Freshened since and with the benefit of two trials since, he gets to 1400m on the Turf with the in from Benny Woodworth in the saddle from a mid field draw.  A big framed type, he is still maturing, will appreciate the Turf and the 1400m trip, but hard to assess his chances in this event

7yo Sportscaster (by Fastnet Rock) takes his place in the Class 4 1200m event Poly (Race 9 @ 9pm NZT). A strong winner in Class 5 two starts back, he failed in this grade at 1600m mid September. Freshened since, he goes back to 1200m this time and will be ridden by Apprentice CK NG who claims 3kgs and will only carry 47.5kgs. A very capable type at Class 5 level, he will probably not be competitive this Grade, this trip, but does like to lead, so with barrier 3 and a good jump, he may well get to the front and give them a sight for a long way.

Te Akau Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –  Matamata

Tuesday 10th November

Navalha (S Parmar) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 55.3, last 600 in 40.8.

Soprano Supreme (D Johnson galloped nicely over 1000 metres in 1.05, last 600 in 37.

Thursday 12th October

Soprano Supreme (M Roustoby) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, last 600 in 46.

Madame Moet (D Montes de Oca) galloped over an easy 800 metres, last 400 in 27.1.

Other News

Reigning Horse Of The Year, MELODY BELLE, returned to Te Akau Stud Thursday morning from Melbourne after her brave run for 3^rd placing in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington last Saturday – here are her ongoing plans

• She will spell at Te Akau until 30th Nov and then return to work at Matamata – we will parade her at the Fortuna Owners Day Sunday 6th December
• She will trial at Matamata 12th Jan
• She will resume in the Thorndon Mile (Group 1 – 1600m SWP – $200,000) Trentham Saturday 30th January (Wellington Cup Day) – she will carry 57kgs in this Set Weights and Penalties event.
• She will then head to the Herbie Dyke Stakes (G1 – 2000m WFA – $400,000) Te Rapa 13th February
• We will assess those two runs and determine as to how we proceed from there – there are NZ and Aus options open to her

Fortuna launches new Singapore Syndicate

 3yo Gelding KING ARTHUR (by I am Invincible) – agisting in NSW at moment, he arrives in Singapore 2nd December – shares available $2000 per each 2.5% share – Click HERE to Read More

 KING ARTHUR

A bold front running ride by the veteran Singapore jockey Benny Woodworth, paved the way to victory for the Fortuna Syndicated 5yo Gelding HADEER (Savabeel – A Beautiful Princess), in the Class 4 1200m event on the Turf at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse on Saturday 7th November. Drawn barrier eight in a field of twelve runners with a short run to the first bend, Woodworth took all of the risk out of the equation, jumping well from the barrier, crossing the field and surging to the lead. Setting a strong steady pace, HADEER turned into the straight with a margin, found a kick and had a two length lead on the chasers at one point but went to the line half a length in front of the second horse.

Click HERE to see the race replay

A winner in Australia at Pakenham in August of 2019 for his previous owners, Shadwell Stud, this was HADEER’s 4th Singapore start, having run prize money placings at his other three. HADEER was acquired by Jessica Galvin at the October 2019 Inglis Sale for A$22,500 – as a Yearling offered at the Inglis 2017 Easter Sale HADEER had fetched A$620,000 for his breeder, the Taupo based John Bromley.

Hadeer – wins at Kranji 7th November 2020

Fortuna boss, John Galvin, who just a couple of hours earlier, had watched the Fortuna Star Mare, Melody Belle, run a brave 3rd in the A$2m Seppelts McKinnon Stakes at Flemington was a happy man after Hadeer’s run. “That was a great result for this horse, he had showed us quite a bit with his first three Singapore runs, but full credit to our Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker, who made the wise decision to send HADEER for a freshen up after his 3rd race – this gave the horse time to acclimatise and strengthen a little more. And big kudos to Benny Woodworth for another heady ride”

HADEER is raced by the Fortuna Hadeer Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 46 individuals

Four Fortuna runners this Saturday 7th November in three jurisdictions, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore

5yo Mare BURGUNDY BELLE takes her place in the Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed Race – 1200m – $50,000) at Te Rapa (Race 6 @3.25). A gallant last start 3^rd in the Matamata Cup (Listed 1400m) four weeks ago, her first start in Open Company, demonstrated that she is up to this Grade. She was strong in an exhibition gallop at Te Aroha Wednesday 28^th October. Chelsea Burdan takes the mount from barrier 2 in an 11 horse field. Back to 1200m which will suit, forecast rain will provide some easing in the track which will also suit, carries the minimum weight of 53kgs, has good gate speed – she ticks a lot of boxes and presents as a very good Top 3 chance – market has her at $7 Fixed Odds

6yo Mare MELODY BELLE has taken all before her here in NZ since her return from Australia in September, winning two Group One races at Hastings, the first narrowly, the second emphatically. She now returns to Australia to contest the LKS Mackinnon Stakes (Group One – 2000m – A$2m – Race 8 @ 7pm NZT) a race in which she finished a fast finishing 2^nd in 2019. Chasing her 13^th Group One victory, she will be ridden by Melbourne Cup winning jockey, Jye McNeil, from Barrier 6 in a 10 horse field. Nicely drawn at a perfect distance for her, her work has been excellent since arriving in Australia and she presents as a very good each way chance in this event. Currently 3^rd favourite at Fixed Odds of $5

Melody Belle – Livamol Classic – Hastings   – 17 October 2020

In Singapore 4yo SHOWBOUND gets his chance to break Maiden status in a 1200m event on the Turf (Race 5 @ 7pm NZT – S$20,000). Running into the placings in his first four Singapore starts, he failed badly at his 5^th start, after being given no favours by his rider. Freshened since, he has trialed well and his trackwork has been strong. Will be ridden by the in form Ruan Maia. Drawn perfectly in barrier 3, top rider aboard, can race handy or even lead, he is a top 3 chance in this race and has good prospects of greeting the judge for the first time.

5yo HADEER, a winner in Australia, has had three Singapore starts and run into the prizemoney on all three occasions. Freshened since his last race in late August, he has been given a quiet trial since by trainer Mark Walker and takes his place in the Class 4 1200m event on the Turf (Race 11 @ 10pm NZT – S$50,000). Will be ridden from Barrier 8 by Benny Woodworth. Top rider, slightly tricky draw to negotiate with running rail out in the E Position, but is more than capable of a bold showing here – presents as a good each way chance.

Te Akau Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –  Matamata

Tuesday 3^rd November

Burgundy Belle (J Kamaruddin) looked good galloping over 1000 metres in 1.03.2, final 600 in 36.5. Burgundy Belle races in the Listed Open Sprint at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Charmaine’s Dream (D Johnson) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 57, home in 41.4.

Navalha (R Khan) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 59.2, last 600 in 43.5.

Thursday 29th October

Taking on the Listed Sprint at Te Rapa on Saturday, Burgundy Belle (T Harris) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.11, final 600 in 41.

Navalha (S Parmar) galloped over an easy 800 metres, last 600 in 40.5.

Soprano Supreme (M Grylls) a worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.15, last 600 in 44.7.

Other News

Bosson’s message a Melody for McNeil

Jockey Opie Bosson reckons Melbourne Cup winning rider Jye McNeil will have a sweet sit on Melody Belle in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes writes Ben Dorries

Opie Bosson has ridden Melody Belle to victory in five of her 12 Group 1 wins and has some good news for Melbourne Cup winning rider Jye McNeil ahead of a Mackinnon Stakes tilt at Flemington on Saturday.

There is unfinished business for the Jamie Richards-trained freakishly talented mare at headquarters on Saturday after she flew home into second behind Aidan O’Brien’s globetrotting galloper Magic Wand in the same race last year.

Magic Wand won’t be there to defend her Mackinnon Stakes title, recently retired after having a foot abscess which scuppered her Melbourne spring campaign.

TAB has Melody Belle at $5 to go one better than last year and win the Mackinnon in a market which has Caulfield Stakes winner Arcadia Queen as the $3.10 favourite and Cox Plate fourth placegetter Mugatoo at $4.40.

The contest looks no stronger than last year’s Mackinnon and Melody Belle is coming off two consecutive Group 1 wins in her homeland after a Sydney spring campaign didn’t go to plan.

Bosson didn’t ride Melody Belle in either of her recent Group I wins, due to weight issues, but feels as though the Kiwi mare could cap a huge week for McNeil.

“Jye will love riding her – she is push-button and he can ride her where he wants from the barrier (six of ten),” Bosson told Racenet from New Zealand.

“She is totally straightforward to ride and he will be able to put her anywhere and switch her off.

“It will be a totally no fuss ride for him and I think he can finish off a big week on another high.”

John Galvin, who manages the Melody Belle Fortuna Syndicate that owns the multiple New Zealand Horse of the Year, was convinced by trainer Richards the mare should travel to Australia for the Group I at the end of the Flemington carnival.

The deciding factor was when she demolished her rivals in the Group I Livamol Classic in Hastings last start.

Two Fortuna runners this Saturday 31st October – one in NZ and one in Singapore

4yo Mare Rhapsody In Blue impressed when winning her 2^nd career race in the R65 1200 at Taupo in September – however disappointed when stroking a Soft track at Hastings 17^thOctober and up in Grade to the R74 1200. She gets another chance same grade, same trip at Awapuni on Saturday (Race 2 @12.38pm) – she has a nice draw but will need a Good or Dead track to show her best – Sam Wynne takes the mount. Can finish in the money if she shows her best – market has her at $10 Fixed Odds

8yo Hidden Promise is another who won two starts ago in stylish fashion in a Class 5 1800m event only to fail badly at his next start (1400m same grade). He gets back to a more suitable 1800m trip this Saturday, has a nice draw and a 3kg claim courtesy of Donna Logans apprentice F Yussof. A six time winner in Singapore, Trainer Mark Walker cannot fault the horse since his last start failure and gets his chance to atone here in a moderate field (Race 6 @ 7.30pm NZT). Watch market but can feature if back to best.

Te Akau Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –  Matamata

Tuesday 27th October

Melody Belle (T Harris) looked great galloping over an easy 1200 metres in 1.21, last 600 in 39.

Rhapsody In Blue (M Roustoby) galloped in company over 1000 metres in 1.03, last 600 in 36.5.

Thursday 29th October

Navalha (R Khan) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1.02, home in 46.

Other News

Melody Belle flew to Melbourne on Wednesday 28^th and is now in the hands of Te Akau’s Ashley Handley and stabled at Flemington – she will attempt to win her 13th career Group One event when contesting the LKS Mackinnon Sakes (Group One – 2000m – A$2m) on Saturday 7^th November – Kerrin McEvoy will ride.

Melody Belle at Flemington Thursday 29th October

Burgundy Belle goes to the line in strong exhibition gallop – Te Aroha 28th October

           Picture by Race Images

Two Fortuna runners in Singapore Sunday 25^th October

RED ROVER after a long time away from raceday due to Covid lockdown and then a series of ballot outs finally gets his chance in the Class 3 1200m event Turf (Race 4 @ 5pm NZT). A speedy type by O’Reilly, he has accumulated 4 career wins, including 3 in a row in Singapore in 2019. Has been working well and will be ridden by Senior Jockey JP Van Der Merwe from barrier 10 in a 14 horse field. Slightly tricky draw, no recent race day form, but goes well fresh, likes the Polytrack but gets Turf here. Needs luck from the draw and to handle the Turf, but can run into the money if he gets both – will be at odds.

Federation contests the other Division of the Class 3 1200m Turf. A four time winner in Singapore, this strapping son of Written Tycoon is a talented galloper, but has had feet issues. Now over those and back to 1200m with blinkers on, he is ready to put his best foot forward. No 3 rider in Singapore Louis Beuzelin takes the mount from Barrier 7 in a 14 horse field. Working well, loves the Turf, nice weight at 55kgs, Federation presents as a good each way chance in this race at good odds

Te Akau Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –  Matamata

Tuesday 20th October

No timed work for Fortuna runners

Thursday 22nd October

Burgundy Belle (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 59.9, home in 44.8.

Charmaine’s Dream (M Grylls) worked along nicely at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1 minute

Other News

Unfinished Mackinnon business for Melody Belle

12-time Group One winner Melody Belle. Photo: Trish Dunell

Star Kiwi mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will be making a hit-and-run raid to Melbourne for the Gr.1 $A2 million Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 7. The 12-time Group One winner has been in imperious form since returning to her homeland following two inconclusive runs in Sydney earlier this preparation, and trainer Jamie Richards, in consultation with her owners, is keen to have another tilt at the Mackinnon. The six-year-old mare won last year’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington before a luckless second in the Mackinnon to Magic Wand a week later.

John Galvin, who manages the Melody Belle Fortuna Syndicate that owns the multiple New Zealand Horse of the Year, confirmed on the strength of her Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) triumph at Hawke’s Bay last weekend, it was all systems go for Melbourne. “Last Thursday Jamie messaged me to say how good Melody Belle’s work had been on Thursday morning and that if we ran well on Saturday, we should give serious consideration to going to the Mackinnon because she was going so good,” Galvin said. “We agreed to talk about it again after the race and we agreed that she would have to perform superbly well for us to make that call, and of course that is what she did. She annihilated that field. “When we weighed it up, 2000m at Flemington, $2 million race, hit and run raid, just go there and come back, it seemed the perfect race for her. She was desperately unlucky last year in the same event and she is probably going better now than she was then.”

Having returned to New Zealand and won the last two legs of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown, connections believe the mare is going as well as ever and given Te Akau already have travelling foreperson Ashley Handley domiciled in Melbourne with stablemate Probabeel, the logistics of the campaign are now much smoother than they were looking earlier in Spring. “She has had a vaccination for piroplasmosis, and Plan A is to take her over on Wednesday November 4,” Galvin said. “If we can get her on the flight the previous week, we would do that to take the risk out of anything happening to that flight on the fourth. “Ashley Handley is already over there, she travelled down through Sydney and did her quarantine and is now with Probabeel, so that logistical issue that was preventing us getting to Melbourne previously has been overcome.”

Initially the plan was for Melody Belle to contest the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) but Galvin said it was important to showcase the mare internationally. “If she was to win both of those New Zealand Group Ones she would sail past Sunline’s Group One record of 13,” Galvin said. “There are a few that said that is what we should do, but to my mind Sunline’s record is not the be all and end all. As a syndicate manager I want to create a legacy for this mare and win another Group One in Australia, ideally in open company rather than just fillies’ and mares’ grade.”

Galvin said his 34-strong syndicate had thoroughly enjoyed being on hand to watch their pride and joy win back-to-back Group Ones at Hastings. “It was absolutely fantastic. We had a big group of owners here so that itch has been scratched. I informed the owners about the change of plan, and while I haven’t heard from them all the feedback is let’s go for it,” he said. “They know she is going to go there on a hit and run raid for a $2 million race and they know the Group One races they would contest here alternatively are just $200,000 races so it is a significant amount of prize money and a significant scalp to collect if we could pull it off. “There is a nice raceday at Te Rapa on Mackinnon day and we have our other ‘belle,’ Burgundy Belle, racing in the Legacy Sprint and there are several of Melody Belle’s owners that have shares in her as well so that could be an opportunity to get together,” he said.

From

NZ Racing Desk

12-time Group One winner Melody Belle. Photo: Trish Dunell

Star Kiwi mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will be making a hit-and-run raid to Melbourne for the Gr.1 $A2 million Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 7. The 12-time Group One winner has been in imperious form since returning to her homeland following two inconclusive runs in Sydney earlier this preparation, and trainer Jamie Richards, in consultation with her owners, is keen to have another tilt at the Mackinnon. The six-year-old mare won last year’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington before a luckless second in the Mackinnon to Magic Wand a week later.

John Galvin, who manages the Melody Belle Fortuna Syndicate that owns the multiple New Zealand Horse of the Year, confirmed on the strength of her Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) triumph at Hawke’s Bay last weekend, it was all systems go for Melbourne. “Last Thursday Jamie messaged me to say how good Melody Belle’s work had been on Thursday morning and that if we ran well on Saturday, we should give serious consideration to going to the Mackinnon because she was going so good,” Galvin said. “We agreed to talk about it again after the race and we agreed that she would have to perform superbly well for us to make that call, and of course that is what she did. She annihilated that field. “When we weighed it up, 2000m at Flemington, $2 million race, hit and run raid, just go there and come back, it seemed the perfect race for her. She was desperately unlucky last year in the same event and she is probably going better now than she was then.”

Having returned to New Zealand and won the last two legs of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown, connections believe the mare is going as well as ever and given Te Akau already have travelling foreperson Ashley Handley domiciled in Melbourne with stablemate Probabeel, the logistics of the campaign are now much smoother than they were looking earlier in Spring. “She has had a vaccination for piroplasmosis, and Plan A is to take her over on Wednesday November 4,” Galvin said. “If we can get her on the flight the previous week, we would do that to take the risk out of anything happening to that flight on the fourth. “Ashley Handley is already over there, she travelled down through Sydney and did her quarantine and is now with Probabeel, so that logistical issue that was preventing us getting to Melbourne previously has been overcome.”

Initially the plan was for Melody Belle to contest the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) but Galvin said it was important to showcase the mare internationally. “If she was to win both of those New Zealand Group Ones she would sail past Sunline’s Group One record of 13,” Galvin said. “There are a few that said that is what we should do, but to my mind Sunline’s record is not the be all and end all. As a syndicate manager I want to create a legacy for this mare and win another Group One in Australia, ideally in open company rather than just fillies’ and mares’ grade.”

Galvin said his 34-strong syndicate had thoroughly enjoyed being on hand to watch their pride and joy win back-to-back Group Ones at Hastings. “It was absolutely fantastic. We had a big group of owners here so that itch has been scratched. I informed the owners about the change of plan, and while I haven’t heard from them all the feedback is let’s go for it,” he said. “They know she is going to go there on a hit and run raid for a $2 million race and they know the Group One races they would contest here alternatively are just $200,000 races so it is a significant amount of prize money and a significant scalp to collect if we could pull it off.  “There is a nice raceday at Te Rapa on Mackinnon day and we have our other ‘belle,’ Burgundy Belle, racing in the Legacy Sprint and there are several of Melody Belle’s owners that have shares in her as well so that could be an opportunity to get together,” he said.

Although she had been crowned the NZ Thoroughbred Horse Of The Year for the 2nd time running just six days previously, Fortuna Star Mare, Melody Belle, (Commands-Meleka Belle) showed that she was not one to rest on her laurels when taking out the Livamol Classic (Group One – 2040m – $250,000) in a breathtakingly dominant fashion at Hastings 17th October. Sent our a strong favourite after being backed in from $2.60 on Thursday to $1.90 as they jumped, things didn’t go perfectly for her at the start. Pre race tactics had determined that rider Troy Harris would be positive out of the gate from her widish draw (barrier 12) and take up a spot behind the speed one off the rail, however some hold ups with loading runners had meant, as Troy Harris put it “she went to sleep in the barriers” and was rather tardy away. So Plan B saw her loping along with only four runners behind her as they left the front straight.   The race was run at a steady tempo, but with still just four horses behind him at the 600m mark, Harris decided that it was time to press the button and set the 11 Group One winning mare alight – she was the widest horse into the straight with six other runners inside her, but it was pretty clear that she was gathering momentum and with a few strides she had gathered in the leaders and extended her break to the line, winning by a margin of 2.75 lengths.

Click HERE to see race replay

Melody Belle’s victory was her 17th from 34 starts and her 12th Group One win, putting her one short of the  most Group Ones ever won by a NZ horse, that being the incomparable Sunline

Melody Belle – Livamol Classic – Hastings   – 17 October 2020

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, who had put the Melody Belle Syndicate Ownership Group together back in 2016 was a very proud and emotional man post race. Asked to describe her result, he said, “She was imperious today – in her last start here (Windsor Park Plate) she was brave and gutsy to get up off the canvass to grind out a win, but today she just proved that her title of Queen of the NZ Turf is well deserved. A fantastic result for her 34 strong ownership Group, a really fine bunch of people from all over NZ and one from Australia. And I am so happy for Troy, he has ridden Fortuna Syndicated horses 13 times now for 10 wins, including 4 Group One wins – he is a cool customer off the track and particularly cool on it. A huge thanks to Trainer Jamie Richards for the magnificent job he has done with this Mare and of course all of the Te Akau staff who work with her behind the scenes. Big kudos to David Ellis who acquired Melody Belle for us at the Karaka 2016 sale and who with his wife, Karyn Fenton-Ellis, are taking Te Akau Racing to stratospheric levels.” 

Melody Belle, who was bred by Marie Leicester, was acquired for NZ$57,500 by David Ellis at the NZ Bloodstock Karaka 2016 Premier Sale from the draft of Haunui Farms  and now has career earnings of just over $3,800,000, a 66 to 1 multiple.

Melody Belle was strapped by Mette Mosebo