Fortuna runners this week are in Singapore, Sportscaster in the Class 5 1660m on the Poly  Friday 7^th – Race 1,  Red Rover in the Class 3 1000m (Poly)- Race 6 and Hidden Promise in the Class 5 1600m (Turf) Race 9 on Sunday 9th

Sportscaster has been running honest races in Class 4 over trips short of his best, Now down in grade to Class 5, up to a more suitable trip over 1600m, blinker/pacifiers go on, the gun Benny Woodworth to ride – slightly trick draw from barrier 9 with a short run to the first bend, but Woodworth should have him up on the speed and he presents as a strong each way chance in this race.

Red Rover proved to be a sensation during the latter part of 2019 scoring 3 wins in a row. Resuming at Class 2 level early January, he was not disgraced running 4^th in a hot field. Back to Class 3 on Sunday and allocated 59kgs, he claims 3kgs with Apprentice M Nizar taking the ride. Drawn the Ace Barrier, he will give a sight with the caution that he does meet a very strong field in this event. Needs to jump well to take advantage of the barrier, if he does so, he can win – and presents as a strong each way chance

“Red Rover” – Winning in Singapore 13 October 2019

Hidden Promise was desperately unlucky at his last start this grade, same trip in a head bobbing finish. Gets his chance here again from a better draw, Woodworth sticks – any rain on the day would boost his chances. Never runs a bad race and he is right in this – Each Way

 Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Tuesday 4^th Feb

 Plough

 Heavy Fog prevented times being taken

Thursday  6^th Feb

 Plough

 Beau Geste (R.Cole) worked over 1200 metres at three-quarter pace, home in 44 he is being aimed at the Gisborne meeting Sunday 16^th February

Shares Available

Yearlings acquired at Karaka Book One Sale –  Two Singapore options – a Breeding Syndicate 

 Click HERE to Read More about all of these opportunities

“HAYA” – the Yearling Filly by Japanese Champion Racehorse – MAURICE

Fortuna runners this week are in Singapore, Brutus in the Restricted Maiden 1000m (Race 2) on Friday 31st and Federation in the Class 3 1200m (Race 8) on Saturday 1st Feb

3yo Gelding Brutus is a relative newcomer to Singapore racing, having had just two starts for a 3^rdand a “beaten a lip” 2^nd – both in Restricted Maiden Grade – he gets to race again in that Grade early hours of Saturday morning NZT. Unfortunately, he has drawn Barrier 13 in a field of 13 runners and with just a 1000m trip, it won’t be easy for him, but if gun rider Benny Woodworth can race in a mid field position with cover on the Polytrack he is a definite each way chance providing he gets some luck

4yo Federation  has never run a bad race in Singapore and boasts a record of four wins and six prize money placings from his 10 starts. A winner in this grade back in November he has been freshened and had two trials to prepare for this resuming run – drawn perfectly in barrier 3 on the Turf track, he will carry just 54kgs courtesy of the 4kg allowance of stable apprentice K Hakim who has already won four races this calendar year. He presents as a very strong each way chance and may prove hard to beat.

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 28th Jan

No Fortuna track work today

Thursday  23rd Jan

Plough

Melody Belle (O.Bosson) worked nicely over an easy 800 metres, home in 40.

Burgundy Belle (T.Harris) worked nicely over 800 metres at three-quarter pace, home in 44.

Shares Available

 Three new Yearlings acquired at Karaka Book One Sale – Click HERE to read overview – big news is our acquisition of Japanese filly “Haya”

Yearling Filly “Haya” – by Maurice out of Vamoose

Finally, have you voted for Melody Belle in the All Star Mile? And shared the voting option with your network? If not, did you realise that if you cast a vote you will be in with a chance of winning one of 15 prizes with prizemoney totalling A$500k and a first prize of A$250k. Please vote if you have not and feel free to share the item below with all in your network – give them the chance of winning A$250k as well!!! We have ben ramping things up a bit the last few days and she has added over 1000 votes this week as a result – networking is the key!

The All Star Mile – Caulfield 14th March – A$5m of Prizemoney

Public Voting has opened for the A$5m All Star Mile run on 14th March at Caulfield – voting closes 16th Feb – there are 15 runners – the top 10 nominees by voting get to start and there are 5 Wild Cards issued by Racing Victoria – Kiwis can vote this year after not being eligible to cast a vote in 2019. There have been two NZ horses nominated, reigning NZ Horse Of The Year, Fortuna’s own Melody Belle and the gun 3yo Gelding, Catalyst

Currently Melody Belle aka “Valerie” has garnered over 4600 votes and sits in 3rd place – Te Akau and Fortuna are ramping up support for her via newsletters and Social Media – but we cannot be complacent – still a long way to go and we want as many Kiwis as we can to vote for Melody Belle

If you cast a vote you will be with a chance of winning one of 15 prizes with prizemoney totalling A$500k and a first prize of A$250k

How can you vote? See link below and you can share this link with as many family, friends, work colleagues as you like. We would really appreciate your support to help ensure that our wonderful mare can make the field Click the link HERE to vote and remember to share with your friends and ask them to vote – we need as many Kiwis as possible to cast a vote to ensure there is NZ representation in this year’s edition of this exciting event

And click HERE to see the promotional Video put together by Julia Rose Hayes from Te Akau Racing Stables

• Buy three yearlings in total
• All to be types who could run at Two and therefore be contenders for the 2021 Karaka Million
• All to have compelling pedigree pages
• Two to average 70k to $80 each
• One to be purchased up to $150k
• At least one Filly

Two runners in Singapore this weekend, both on Sunday 26th – Hidden Promise up to his favoured 1600m trip in Class 5 grade and Sportscaster in the Class 4 1400m- Friday in NZ at Te Aroha sees Leaderboard put his best foot forward over the 2200m trip as he prepares for the Auckland Cup in March

Leaderboard steps up in trip to 2200m and up in grade to Rating 82 after resuming from a freshen up over 1600m Rating 72 at Matamata on 7^th January. Improved from that run and now up in distance, this looks to be ideal for him with just 55,5kgs to carry – Danielle Johnson to ride – presents as a strong each way chance

Hidden Promise has won 5 races during his career in Singapore, all at 1600m – the trip he gets to on Sunday – his two previous runs at 1200m resuming and 1400m on the quick back up a week later were full of merit. Slightly awkward draw at 9 but race is being run on the Turf track long course with rail in true position – he will be doing his best work at the finish – another who presents as a strong each way chance – gun rider Benny Woodworth sticks with him

Sportscaster finished strongly for 6^th place over the same trip when resuming on the 12^thJanuary – this trip is short of his best but could give a sight from barrier one and with only 47.5kgs to carry courtesy of rider CK Ng’s 3kg claim – he is a sneaky place chance

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 21st Jan

 Plough

 Red Jakkal (R Cole) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.16, last 600 in 45.

Preparing to race at Te Aroha on Friday,  Leaderboard (O Bosson) and Mongolianconqueror (M McNab) paired up over 1000 metres 1000m in 1:02.6 and last 600 in 36.2

Thursday  23rd Jan

 Plough

 Red Jakkal (M Roustoby) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.09.3, home in 39.7.

Melody Belle (T Harris) looked good galloping over an easy 800 metres, last 600 in 39.

Shares Available

A handful of shares left in “Bianca” – the Sebring Yearling Filly we acquired at the Magic Million Sale on the Gold Coast recently – NZ$1700 for each 1% share – Click HERE to read full details

And a few shares in the 2yo Cassius (by Street Boss) in Singapore – Mark Walker is very bullish about this strong, scopey 2yo Gelding. Click HERE to see him parading with voiceover from Mark – just NZ$1000 for each 1% share – Click HERE to read more

 CASSIUS – 13 January 2020

During the Magic Million’s Yearling Sale 9-12 January, Fortuna had the “Dream Selection Team” of David Ellis and Mark Walker present and active  – my brief to them was “please find a nice filly from a proven top flight stallion and a strong female line – one that is capable of running as  a Two Year Old but that has the pedigree and physique to kick on as a 3yo and older -budget up to A$100k” – David’s response to my instructions was that my budget limitations made it “tricky”, however the Team stuck to the task and secured a lovely Sebring Filly out of a winning Commands (Sire of Melody Belle) mare for A$100k

About the SEBRING – DANCE FOR ME Yearling Filly

This Yearling Filly, whom we have nicknamed “Bianca” was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Ltd at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast – this after being identified by David, ably assisted by the Te Akau Racing Trainers, Jamie Richards and Mark Walker, as being a Filly of size and strength, physically correct and with a very strong pedigree

Pedigree

“BIANCA” has an excellent pedigree. She is by the hugely successful Stallion Sebring (by More Than Ready) – a sensational race horse winning 5 out of his 6 starts, including the Golden Slipper, he was named as Champion 2yo of his year and was an equally sensational Sire at Stud being the Sire of 519 winners including 55 Stakes winners before his career was cut tragically short by his premature death in 2019. “BIANCA” is the first foal out the Commands Mare, Dance For Me, the winner of two races. Commands of course is the Sire of the Champion Mare, Fortuna’s own Melody Belle. Dance For Me is a daughter of the Group Two winner and multiple Group One placed, Just Dancing – this mare is in turn a daughter of the sensational race mare Ballroom Babe, the winner of eight races in NZ, three at Group One level and a NZ 2yo of the Year – this is a very prolific family with strong speed and staying influences.

Click HERE to view BIANCA’S  pedigree

Preparation History and Ongoing Plans

Being a Yearling, BIANCA has not had a racing preparation but did undergo a Sales Preparation, so is well used to be handled and boxed. She will be shipped to New Zealand in Mid January and be transported to Te Akau Stud, a 4000 acre property in the Western Waikato. There she will have a good eight to ten weeks in a big grassy paddock under the watchful eye of Te Akau supremo, David Ellis. Once David has concluded that she has sufficient physical development, she will be broken in at the farm and once broken in, will travel to the Te Akau Racing Stables at Matamata, where in the hands of Fortuna’s NZ Trainer, Jamie Richards, she will have her first Stable preparation. During this time Jamie will assess her progress and map out an ongoing preparation and racing programme for her. Readers should note that because Bianca was acquired at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, she is eligible to compete (subject to qualification) in the A$2m Magic Millions 2yo event run in January 2021 on the Gold Coast and the A$2m Magic Millions 3yo event run in January 2022.

Physical type
A strong, athletic well-proportioned Chestnut Filly by Sebring, BIANCA has the physical attributes to match her pedigree. Strong and well proportioned, she has a lovely walk, and she passed her pre sale Vet examination with flying colours

Trainer’s view (Jamie Richards)
“This Sebring Filly has a real stamp of quality about her – she is very physically correct, has a great walk and a super pedigree. A leggy type, she will take huge improvement from a few weeks in the paddock at Te Akau Stud – looking at her physical type I believe she can be a runner and a winner as a 2yo, but certainly has the scope to kick onto be a quality 3yo”

Click HERE to see her Sale  parade with Voice Over from Jamie Richards

Selector’s view (David Ellis)
“John Galvin had instructed me to select a physically correct, nicely pedigreed yearling filly at Magic Millions Sale and as soon as I saw this Sebring filly during our inspections I could see she fitted the bill, although I was doubtful if we could secure her at John’s budget – however in the end we did and I believe this lovely filly, who exudes class and quality, is exceptional value at this price ” 

Syndicator’s view (John Galvin)
“Fortuna has had a lot of success with Fillies selected on our behalf by David Ellis and his team over the years. This Filly has an incredible pedigree and  has a physical presence to match. We will take her along quietly, allow her time to find her feet and mature and if she is able to have racetrack success, which is our expectation, she will have a lot of value as a broodmare prospect at retirement”

Terms

• Shares available right down to 1%.
• 10% share $17,000  – 5% share $8,500 – 2.5% share $4,250 – 1% share $1,700
• Share price includes all Initial Costs – Purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Vetting, Insurance through to 31st January 2021, Magic Millions Series Entry Fee, transport to NZ and Working Capital of over $9,000 approx
• Monthly ongoing costs from 1^st March 2020 – 10% share $360 per month – 5% share $180 per month – 2.5% share $90 per month – 1% share $36 per month.
• Monthly ongoing costs can alternatively be paid up to 12 months in advance as an option for subscribers

Disclosure Statement & Agreement
These documents are still being prepared but we are accepting expressions of interest – you can do this by making contact HERE or call/text John 021 921 460

Fortuna runners this week are all in Singapore – RED ROVER Friday evening, while HIDDEN PROMISE and SPORTSCASTER resuming, both race on Sunday

RED ROVER is all class as his past three wins in a row in Singapore attest – freshened since his last race in November, he is up against the big boys tonight in a Class 2 event over 1000m on Poly – his wide draw (9 of 9) does not help but he is all class and will give a good sight here  – Strong Each Way prospect

HIDDEN PROMISE backs up over 1400m Class 5 after resuming last Saturday over 1200m same grade – finishing strongly for 5^th. Extra distance will suit, drawn wide so will need luck but if tempo is good, he should be right in the finish.

SPORTSCASTER resumes over 1400m in this Class 4 event – a staying type, this would normally be too short for him, but he is in great order, has a lovely draw and courtesy of a 4kg claim for Mark Walkers talented apprentice Hakim, he only carries 47.5kgs. Loves to lead so if he gets to the front and gets a soft sectional or two, he is quite capable of kicking away from them on the turn and making things interesting – we rate him a top four chance 

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Tuesday 7^th Jan – Plough

 Madame Cherie (R.Cole) worked at three-quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.29.6, home in 43.

Burgundy Belle (T.Harris) worked over an easy 800 metres, home in 40.

Melody Belle (T.Harris) worked at three-quarter pace over 800 metres, home in 45.

Thursday  9th Jan – Plough

 Madame Cherie (R Cole) galloped solo over an easy 1200 metres, home in 39.

Melody Belle (O Bosson) looked good working over an easy 800 metres in 56.6, home 41.5.

Burgundy Belle (T Harris) galloped  over 800 metres in 52, last 600 in 37.

MAGIC MILLIONS SALES
In closing, we have had the “Dream Selection Team” of David Ellis and Mark Walker active at the Magic Million Sales on the Gold Coast the last couple of days – my brief to them was “please find a nice filly from a proven top flight stallion and a strong female line – one that is capable of running as  a Two Year Old but that has the pedigree and physique to kick on as a 3yo and older – budget up to A$100k” – David’s response to my instructions was that my budget limitations made it “tricky”, however the Team stuck to the task and secured a lovely Sebring Filly out of a Commands (Sire of Melody Belle) mare for A$100k

 Sebring – Dance For Me Yearling Filly

Full details up on Fortuna Shares For Sale page soon but each 1% share in this Filly is NZ$1700 with $36 per month ongoing from 1 March 2020 – Expressions of interest can be made HERE or by calling John 021 921 460

Click HERE to view footage of this Filly parading with voiceover from Jamie Richards

She will be prepared by Jamie Richards here in NZ but note that this Filly is eligible for the A$2m 2yo Magic Millions race on Gold Coast January 2021 and the A$2m 3yo race in 2022

Finally, if you are not already a subscriber to the Fortuna NZ YouTube channel now is the time to subscribe – if you are a subscriber, it means you will have all Video updates we lost on our Channel emailed to you automatically – just visit HERE and hit the subscribe button

Fortuna runners this week are RED JAKKAL at Te Aroha on Friday, while HIDDEN PROMISE  and BRUTUS race in Singapore on Saturday 4th and the exciting prospect LEADERBOARD resumes at Matamata Tuesday 7th Jan

RED JAKKAL showed real promise as a 3yo running 2^nd on debut, then winning at his 2^nd start. Unraced to date as a 4yo. he has taken a long time to come to hand and his trials have been ordinary. However his work of late has been good, good draw, blinkers go on, top rider in M McNab – certainly worth following but with caution.

HIDDEN PROMISE has won five times in Singapore – all at 1600m – he resumes at 1200m on Saturday – on paper too short but he has run close up placings at this trip before when fresh – can run into the money from good draw if things go right

3yo BRUTUS has his 2^nd Singapore run in Restricted Maiden Grade – he lost no friends when running 3^rd on debut in the same grade after leading for most of the race. Better for that experience, he has the ace draw and a gun rider in Benny Woodworth – looks very good here

LEADERBOARD – what can we say – two very impressive wins at Riccarton in the late spring  by this Irish bred import stamped him as a quality staying type with a good turn of foot and more than a touch of class. Resuming at 1600 metres, he has weight to carry, but the in form Chelsea Burdan takes 3kgs off his back – on a path to the Auckland Cup, his track gallop Friday 3^rd was first class – he is a very good each way chance here.

NEW YEAR SPECIAL

Talking of Singapore, a reminder about the 7.5% New Year Special Discount for the newly arrived 2yo’s Cassius and Cicero – both now coming to the end of their Singapore Quarantine – being released to Mark Walker 6th January. Click HERE to read more re the horses and the discount. We are expecting these two boys to come to hand very quickly – and Mark Walker hit the ground running with the first day of the 2020 Singapore racing season on New Year’s Day, collecting three winners – I am predicting that Mark and the Fortuna NZ Stable in Singapore are going to have a big year. Not to be outdone, Jamie Richards recorded three winners and a handful of minor placings on New Year’s Day here in NZ as well

Pictures below of Cassius and Cicero were taken 19th December in NSW just prior to them flying to Singapore later that evening

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Tuesday 31^st December

 Plough

 Beau Geste (M Roustoby) looked good galloping over 1000 metres in 1.09.4, last 600 in 39.8.

Leaderboard (O Bosson)) galloped over an easy 1200 metres, running the last 1000 in 1.07, home in 39.5.

Melody Belle (J Kamaruddin) looked good having her first piece of three quarter pace work this preparation, running the last 600 in 46. Burgundy Belle (J Kamaruddin) also had her first three quarter since returning, running home in similar time.

Friday 3rd Jan

Plough

Leaderboard (M McNab) working right handed galloped  strongly over 1200 metres, running the last 1000 in 1.05, last 400 in 23.5

“Leaderboard” – Goes Back to Back at Riccarton 12th November 2019

No Fortuna runners this weekend, but the 2yo Madame Moet, who trialed very nicely at Te Aroha 16^thDecember, is a chance of making her race day debut in the 2yo race at Ellerslie on Boxing Day – this would be her opportunity to qualify for the Karaka Million 25^th January.

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Thursday 19^th December

Madame Cherie (M Roustoby) worked solo at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, running a time of 1.15, last 600 in 44.5.

KHAFEEF arrives in New Zealand

Our latest European bred acquisition, the 4yo Gelding KHAFEEF (Champs Elysees – Tawaareekharrived at Te Akau Stud Thursday morning after his long flight from the UK and quarantining in Australia for two weeks. An impressive winner of a Maiden event over 2100 metres in France 21^stAugust, this lightly raced (4 starts) staying type is set to emulate the path we have taken with Leaderboard, which is to allow him to acclimatise and adapt to NZ conditions and then work through the grades with an attack on the big staying races in NZ and if good enough, Australia, on the agenda. Arriving light in condition, KHAFEEF will spend a few weeks knee deep in grass at Te Akau Stud outing on weight and acclimatising, before commencing a stable preparation in the capable hands of Jamie Richards

Khafeef

Singapore News

No racing in Singapore until 1 January as they are on a three week recess, however that does not mean that Mark Walker and his team are not busy at it – see news item below from  Singapore Racing News outlet – The New Paper

Walker’s horses off and running

Hat-trick winner Red Rover raced by the Fortuna NZ Stable impressed in his gallop at Kranji yesterday morning. Watch him next season.

“Red Rover” – Wins 3rd time in a row – Singapore 03 November 2019

by Brian Miller

Dec 12, 2019 06:00 am

For trainer Mark Walker, the premiership was all neatly wrapped and delivered long before that last lap.

You could say, Christmas had definitely come early for the three-time champion.

But he’s certainly not going to rest on his laurels.

I reckon his message to his fellow trainers is something like this: If you want it in 2020, you’ve got to fight for it.

Already, at his Kranji training establishment, the wheels are in motion for what could be an even better season than the one just ended.

As with all trainers, life goes on and yesterday morning saw a a whole lot of action on the training track – and that, despite the persistent drizzle that has been drenching Singapore over the last couple of days.

Like it was to be expected, Walker’s horses caught the attention of clockers and three, in particular, stood out.

They were Red Rover, Elite Power and Elite Remarkable.

Red Rover breezed over the 600m in 40.2sec, while the two “Elite” horses – Power and Remarkable – were timed at 37.6 and 41.7 respectively.

If there were to be a “find of the 2019 season”, Red Rover will be right up there.

Five times, beginning in late June, he went to the races. And his last three ended in victories.

After picking up minor money in his first two starts, he quickly shed his maiden status with a dominant win over the 1,000m in August. He went on to complete a hat-trick.

I reckon, Walker will keep him humming along nicely and, when he does get his first run in the new season, you can bet he’ll be on top of his game.

Elite Power is another classy sort who should make an impact in 2020.

He didn’t do anything worth writing home last start but he was a dominant force in the early part of the season.

He’s hardly the finished article and we know that he blossoms early in the year.

Christmas/New Year Special – 7.5% discount

Talking of Singapore – check out the Fortuna Christmas/New Year Special on the two Singapore Two Year Olds, Cassius and Cicero – a massive 7.5% discount off the share price on either or both horses – For example Cassius is NZ$5,000 for a 5% share – with the discount that comes down to $4,625

Cassius

Cicero is NZ$5600 for a 5% share – with discount that comes down to $5,180

CICERO

Shares can be taken right down to 1% and when ordering online HERE enter into the Notes box the words “Please apply the 7.5% discount.”

Both Cassius and Cicero should be up and running in Singapore mid to late March

No Fortuna runners this week, but three trialists at Te Aroha Monday 16^th, Madame Moet, Beau Geste and Red Jakkal

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Tuesday 10^th December

 Plough

 Madame Moet (F Griffiths) galloped over 800 metres in 57.8, final 600 in 41.6.

Beau Geste (M Roustoby) was keen in his work when galloping over 800 metres in 54, last 600n in 39.

Thursday 12^th December

Plough:

Beau Geste (M Roustoby) galloped nicely over 800 metres in 53.

Red Jakkal (D Montes de Oca) galloped over 800 metres in 50.9, last 600 in 36.5

Third Premiership for Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker

Yes Mark Walker has done it again – three Singapore Premierships to go with his five NZ Premierships – Read More HERE

She’s Back!!!  Yes, stable star Melody Belle returned to trackwork last Tuesday 10^th December. Amazingly, during her three week paddock spell she put on 35kgs of body weight – assisted by some magnificent grass at Te Akau Stud  – and she loves that feed bin!!!