Fortuna News Round Up 5th December

 

 

Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer Mark Walker claims 2017 season Singapore Trainer’s Premiership

With the 2018 Singapore racing season coming to a close on Sunday, Mark Walker has claimed the title of Champion Singapore Trainer for the second time – to add to his five New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership titles!

Congratulations to Mark Walker and all the team in Te Akau Racing in Singapore in winning yet another Premiership!

Mark finished the season on 87 wins. A truly remarkable performance and 22 wins ahead of the second placed trainer.

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MELODY BELLE to make her 3yo debut at Ellerslie Sat 9th Dec

Melody Belle at Avondale Trials 16th Nov 2017
Anticipation is high and nerves are on edge as Saturday 9th December approaches, this being the day that last season’s Champion Two Year Old, MELODY BELLE, kicks off her 3yo Season. Not many Champion 2yo’s carry on to being dominant as 3yo’s, but those that do generally are very, very good. Saturday’s lead up race is a precursor to the Group One Sistema Railway Stakes over 1200 metres on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie and safely through that, the filly will be aimed at the $1m Karaka 3yo Mile on 27th January, also at Ellerslie. MELODY BELLE’s two trials have been first class as she has built to resumption.
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FORTUNA acquires a lovely staying type 2yo at Ready To Run Sale – By Jakkalberry – Stable Name “Winston”

Click HERE to see “Winston” parading at Matamata last week – voice over from Jamie Richards


2yo Gelding by Jakkalberry out of Red Alert

Patience paid off for John Galvin at the recent Ready To Run Sale – it has been well documented how the NZ Trainers and Syndicators were competing with the very deep pocketed Asian and Australian buying bench as the record average price of $108,000 would attest to.
My instructions to David Ellis and Jamie Richards were to target a staying type with a strong staying pedigree, who passed the vet checks with flying colours and with a budget of no more than $80,000. In the end just nine horses were on our short list, with “Winston” ranked No 2 in our preference. Our No 1 preference went for $430,000!!! – but we were rapt to get Winston knocked down to us for $75,000 late in the sale – the patience paid off.

Trainer Jamie Richards has this to say about Winston – “John, this horse presents as a lovely physical specimen with a strong staying pedigree – from what we have seen to date, however, we don’t think you will need to wait a long time for him – he is a more of a compact staying type rather than a lean rangy type – our plan is to get him to a trial in March or April of 2018 and then assess him from there. Steve and I think he will make a lovely 3yo staying type.”Shares selling steadily – 55% sold already – contact John by email HERE or call/text 021 921 460 to get involved.

Share price includes all Initial Costs – Purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Insurance through to 31st January 2019 and working capital of over $12,000 – Training fees paid up to 1st April 2018 
Shares available right down to 1%
 
 10% share $13,000 – 5% share $6,500 – 2.5% share $3,250 – 1% share $1,300.
 
Monthly Ongoing costs commence 1st April 2018 – $340 per month per 10% share – $170 per month per 5% share – $85 per month per 2.5% share – $34 per month per 1% share.
And don’t forget we offer Terms, what we call the “Harvey Norman” option – you can pay your share off over a six month period interest free.
Contact John by email or call/text 021 921 460 to get involved in this lovely horse
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Last Call for Fortuna “Owners Day” – Matamata Race Course Sunday 10th December
 

Don’t forget to register for the Owners Day.

Date – Sunday December 10th
Place – “The Gazebo” – Matamata Race course
Time – 1pm to 4pm
Theme – “Jockeys Day”
Light refreshments will be served

As the theme suggest, we will be honouring the riders that have ridden for us over the years and a number of riders who have ridden successfully for us will be present. We will also be parading a number of the Fortuna horses as well including Melody Belle, Chance To Dance, Aabir (our latest “straight to Singapore acquisition) and “Winston” – our very latest Ready To Run acquisition

Please RSVP as soon as possible if you would like to attend – call John 021 921 460 to register

 

Fortuna Weekly Round Up 14th November

Fortuna’s JACKS SECRET breaks through for his Maiden win in Singapore

Cliches filled the airwaves late evening Friday 10th November after JACKS SECRET, (five year old gelding – Sahkees Secret-Spin N Grin) won the Class 5 1400 metre event at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse. “All good things come to he who waits,” “Patience is a virtue”, “No longer the bridesmaid”  were some of the cliches being employed. This because JACKS SECRET, who had made his Singapore debut in October 2016 had had seventeen previous starts without victory. The horse had not been without form however, as 13 of those 17 starts had resulted in prizemoney earnings and his three previous starts before victory had yielded three seconds in a row.

Drawn the outside barrier in the 14 horse field, rider Vlad Duric elected to go back and ride for luck. Prior to the turn Duric was steadily picking his way through the field and it was obvious he had a mount full of running beneath him and all he needed to do was find clear air in the run home in order to be competitive in the finish. The clear air came, but job was not over as the race leader, Sing Roulette, had established a five length break as they turned. Out in the middle of the track, however, JACKS SECRET had mounted a compelling run, quickly reeled in the leader and went to the line with two lengths to spare. Click HERE to watch the race video replay.

JACKS SECRET – victorious in Singapore – Vlad Duric in the saddle

JACKS SECRET  was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2014 Karaka Yearling Sales for the sum of $25,000. He has now accumulated over $72,000 in prize money earnings. He is owned and raced by the Fortuna Jacks Secret Syndicate, an ownership group of 24 individuals, 2 of whom are Singapore residents.

 

Latest Fortuna acquisition

Shares in Fortuna’s latest “Straight To Singapore” acquisition, the O’Reilly – Neraan 3yo Gelding, named “AABIR” are selling quickly, now 65% sold. A big, strong (16.1 hands) type, AABIR has been well prepared and shown excellent ability going to the trials four times for a win, two seconds and a third.

Click HERE to see video clip of AABIR parading.

He is scheduled to travel to Singapore where he will be prepared by Singapore’s leading Trainer, Mark Walker. All going well, he will have his first start in March and will be racing in Restricted Maiden Grade, a grade that carries S$85,000 (approx NZ$90,000 in prize money (no. that is not a misprint)


“Aabir” –

Shares available right down to 1%  
 5% share $7,400 – 2.5% share $3,700 – 1% share $1,480
Share price includes all Initial Costs – Purchase price, Promoters Fees, Insurance through to 31st January 2019, all transport costs to Singapore and working capital of over $6,000
Monthly Ongoing costs from 1st January 2018 – $170 per month per 5% share – $85 per month per 2.5% share – $34 per month per 1% share
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FORTUNA’S Champion Two Year Old, MELODY BELLE  to trial at Avondale Thursday 16th November

Yes, she’s back!! MELODY BELLE will have the second of her two 3yo season trials at Avondale this week ahead of her planned 3yo debut at Ellerslie on Saturday 9th December in the Open Sprint. The winner of $865,000 from just seven starts as a 2yo, MELODY BELLE  has some ambitious targets as a 3yo, with the Group One System Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Years Day being her initial major target and the $1m Karaka 3yo Classic over 1600 metres at Ellerslie being her second major target.

 

Fortuna’s CHANCE TO DANCE has his summer racing campaign mapped out

8yo CHANCE TO DANCE who has won two of his three NZ starts, both in elite races has gone for a water walker freshen up after his win in the Group 3 OMF Stakes at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. Having had just four starts in the Fortuna colours, he has already won prize money of NZ$130,000. He will start next in the Group One Zabeel Classic (200- metre -$200,000) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie and from there his plans include the Group One Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa (2000 metres $400,00) on 9th February and the Group One Auckland Cup (3200 metres $500,000) on 9th March

 

 

FORTUNA horses racing this week  

VENUS DE MILO races Singapore Friday 17th November,  HIDDEN PROMISE races Singapore 19th November, OUR RIVER DANCER races at the Perak Turf Club meeting (Malaysia) 18th November.

Viewing this and not on our Newsletter Mail List? Click HERE to register for our regular Newsletter

 

Fortuna’s JACKS SECRET breaks through for his Maiden win in Singapore

 

Cliches filled the airwaves late evening Friday 10th November after JACKS SECRET, (five year old gelding – Sahkees Secret-Spin N Grin) won the Class 5 1400 metre event at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse. “All good things come to he who waits,” “Patience is a virtue”, “No longer the bridesmaid”  were some of the cliches being employed. This because JACKS SECRET, who had made his Singapore debut in October 2016 had had seventeen previous starts without victory. The horse had not been without form however, as 13 of those 17 starts had resulted in prizemoney earnings and his three previous starts before victory had yielded three seconds in a row.

Drawn the outside barrier in the 14 horse field, rider Vlad Duric elected to go back and ride for luck. Prior to the turn Duric was steadily picking his way through the field and it was obvious he had a mount full of running beneath him and all he needed to do was find clear air in the run home in order to be competitive in the finish. The clear air came, but job was not over as the race leader, Sing Roulette, had established a five length break as they turned. Out in the middle of the track, however, JACKS SECRET had mounted a compelling run, quickly reeled in the leader and went to the line with two lengths to spare. Click HERE to watch the race video replay.

JACKS SECRET – victorious in Singapore – Vlad Duric in the saddle

JACKS SECRET  was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2014 Karaka Yearling Sales for the sum of $25,000. He has now accumulated over $72,000 in prize money earnings. He is owned and raced by the Fortuna Jacks Secret Syndicate, an ownership group of 24 individuals, 2 of whom are Singapore residents.

 

Fortuna Round Up – 8th November

 

Fortuna’s CHANCE TO DANCE victorious in Group 3 OMF Stakes at Ellerslie 0n Melbourne Cup Day

 

Failing to perform in the Group One Livamol Classic after being posted three wide most of the trip, CHANCE TO DANCE  sought atonement when meeting a good field of Weight For Age gallopers in Ellerslie’s OMF Stakes over 2000 metres on Melbourne Cup Day and atone he did, outstaying the field in the hands of Opie Bosson to recored his 9th career win and his 2nd in the Fortuna Colours. An outstanding result. Read the full story HERE

CHANCE TO DANCE winning at Ellerslie 7th November

Shares in Fortuna’s latest “Straight to Singapore acquisition. “Aabir” – the O’Reilly – Neraan 3yo Gelding proving very popular – now 48% sold after a week on market 

Big and strong (16.2 Hands), an impeccable pedigree and a trial winner, this lovely horse carries some impressive credentials ahead of his imminent departure (Dec 16th) to race in the care of Singapore’s leading Trainer, Mark Walker. A 5% share is $7400 all up and $170 per month from 1st January 2018 – Shares available right down to 1%. We are conducting a Te Akau Stud visit to view this horse Sunday 12th November – he is based at Te Akau Stud in the Western Waikato – we meet at BP Ngaruawahia at 11am and drive to the Stud as a group – contact John 021 921 460 if you would like to participate in this Open Day. Viewings available on other occasions as well.

Click HERE to see full details on this great opportunity.

 “AABIR” – 3yo Gelding by O’REILLY out of NERAAN (Elusive Quality)

Fortuna Horses racing this week

JACKS SECRET races Singapore Friday 10th November,  PRINCE DARCI races Singapore 12th November, EATONS GOLD, KING SAVINSKY, READY FORTUNE, OUR RIVER DANCER and SECRET SPICE all run at the Penang meeting 11th November.

Fortuna’s CHANCE TO DANCE wins the Group Three OMF Stakes at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day

 

“Vindicated “ was how Fortuna Syndications boss, John Galvin, reacted post race when asked how he felt about his charge, the 8yo CHANCE TO DANCE, winning the OMF Stakes (Group 3) at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. “I was bitterly disappointed that he did not get his chance in the Livamol Classic at Hastings after being posted three wide for most of the trip,” he said, “I knew he was much better than that and so to win this race today against what was a very good field is a very good feeling.”

Given a dream trip in the trail by Opie Bosson, Chance to Dance (Teofilo – Crystal Ballet) was off the rail to challenge at the 300m and simply outstayed his rivals over the concluding stages.

It was a performance not dissimilar to his fresh-up win in the Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (Listed, 1600m) at Pukekohe on September 24th, when staying on strongly between runners to grab ascendency near the line.

“Barrier one helped, he got a perfect run in behind the leaders, didn’t spend a penny, and I hadn’t really gone for him until halfway up the straight and I know that when you put the stick around his backside he gives you that bit more,” Bosson said. “He loves a fight and it was a good win.”

Click HERE to see race result and Video Replay

CHANCE TO DANCE winning at Ellerslie

For Bosson the win continued a sensational record in the Fortuna colours, notching his second success aboard Chance to Dance from as many rides, and having combined with Champion Two-Year-Old title winner Melody Belle (Commands) for victories in both the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) at Ellerslie, and Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) in Brisbane

Purchased in March for $260,000 by David Ellis, on behalf of Fortuna Syndications, at the inaugural Inglis Chairman’s Sale of Elite Racing Prospects in Sydney, Chance To Dance is a former European and Australian galloper and following his purchase, he finished second in the $2m Sydney Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m), subsequently declared a non-race, and then ran fifth a fortnight later in the rerun.

Ellis purchased Chance to Dance from Nick and Lloyd Williams, who half an hour after Chance to Dance won at Ellerslie, celebrated their sixth Melbourne Cup with Rekindling (High Chaparral).

Chance to Dance took his record to nine wins from 31 starts, running the 2000 metres in 2:04.7, last 600m in 34.3, and has now won over $529,000 in career prizemoney.

He returned to a rousing reception from a large contingent of his owners who were on course to support him.

“It’s a wonderful day to be winning races here at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day,” said Fortuna Syndications Director John Galvin, “I would like to thank Fortuna’s Singapore trainer Mark Walker for bringing this horse to my attention, David Ellis for securing him for us, Stephen and Jamie for doing such a great job training him and the whole Te Akau team whom we continue to enjoy a great relationship with and, of course, our wonderful ownership group”

Chance to Dance was strapped by Melissa Ford.

The Chance to Dance Syndicate is made up of a group of 74 individuals.

 

John Galvin’s Melbourne Cup Betting Strategy

 

 

Wow, the first Tuesday in Melbourne is almost upon us. The “day that stops a nation” has a rich history and even those with little interest in racing often get involved in workplace sweepstakes and the like.

With 24 runners and form lines that are hard to read, the Melbourne Cup provides great dividends; it is not hard to get double figure odds on all but the first two or three favourites and who can forget the First four dividend of the 2012 event, paying just a touch under $1 million for a $1 unit. 

John Galvin here below outlines a suggested betting strategy for the Melbourne Cup. It is a strategy that both the “experienced” and mug punter can apply to this great event.

The objective is to, as a minimum, get back all or some of the initial outlay and at a maximum “scoop the pool”.

Suggested Capital outlay $100. Not a small amount of money for many, but, hey, this is the Melbourne Cup and you can outlay a smaller sum, using smaller bets if you so choose.

First Step

Select Nine Horses from the Twenty Four Starters and label these horses in your order of preference  A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I

Second Step.Place Bets as follows

Win and Place Bets. Horses A and B  $10 to Win and $10 to Place on each. If A and/or B Wins or runs a Place, you will collect. Cost of these bets = $40

Quinella Bets. To win on this bet, you must have the 1st and second runners on your ticket in either finishing order. Select A as an Anchor and B through to I to run 2nd. Select B as an anchor and A though to I to run second.  If either A or B runs first or second and one of the anchors runs first or second you will collect. Bet $1 units.  Cost of these bets = $16.

Trifecta Bet. Here your bet is to be a percentage bet of 25%. This means that if you are successful, you will receive 25% of the declared trifecta Dividend. Select horses ABC to run 1st, ABCDE to run 2nd and ABCDEFG to run 3rd. Total Units=60, Cost of bet @ 25% = $15

First Four Bet. This is the “biggie”. Again your bet will be a percentage bet; this time for 8%. Select ABC to run 1st, ABCDE to run 2nd, ABCDEFG to run 3rd and ABCDEFGHI to run fourth.  Total Units=360, Cost of Bet @ 8% = $29.

So, how would you have done in the 2015 event if you had used this betting strategy?

Well, the winner Prince of Penzance paid $65.90  for the win (despite being a last start winner in Melbourne) and $16.60 for the place so a $10 each way bet on him would have returned $825

The quinella paid $704 so if you had 1st and 2nd horses on your quinella ticket, you would have collected a further $704

The trifecta paid $17,036 so with all the right numbers on your ticket a 25% percentage bet would have returned $4,259

The First 4 paid a whopping $307,081 so an 8% percentage bet would have returned $24,566

I trust you get the idea; it is a great way of spreading a reasonable outlay of $100 on the day and, at the very least, having a lot of fun; at best, you may have a five or even six figure collect.

Good luck and if you are unsure about how to place these bets, TAB staff at any TAB agency will be very helpful. Or email John Galvin HERE

Fortuna Weekly Round Up 24th October

Disappointing Outcome for Fortuna’s CHANCE TO DANCE in Group One Livamol Classic

Our expectations were justifiably high, CHANCE TO DANCE was in perfect order and had traveled down to Hastings well. Riding instructions were clear and so we seemed to be all set for a top run from “TED”. But  it takes a very good horse to race successfully in a Group One race after being three wide without cover for much of the trip. So, it was not to be that this horse could taste Group One success. However he has pulled up post race without issue and all going well, his next race will be in the Weight For Age OMF Stakes, a Group Three Event over 2000 metres at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day.

Cambridge Trials 24th October – Two Fortuna trialists

Recent good weather has helped dry the tracks out and so, despite further rainfall on Labour Day, a reasonable trials surface at a Dead 6 was presented at Cambridge. Fortuna’s Handsome Rebel (2yo G Denman- London Rebel) was having his 2nd trial after a nice 2nd at his debut trial at Ruakaka 2 weeks ago. Away nicely, he took a sit in behind the leaders and finished off the 800 metre trip full of running with limited room in the straight for a 5th placing, two lengths from the winner. Rider Danielle Johnson reported “lovely horse, nice action, needs to trial again before his race day debut.”



Handsome Rebel – Cambridge Trials 24th Oct 2017

Fortuna’s Champion 2yo of last season, MELODY BELLE was then presented for her first public outing as a 3yo. This was always going to be a quiet trial for her, but in the hands of Opie Bosson, she was away well from the 935 metre barrier, took a sit in behind the leaders and was allowed to stride home with Opie not moving a muscle for 3rd place just a bit over a length from the winner. Opie reported “couldn’t be happier, she is right on track.” MELODY BELLE will trial again at the same venue on 15th November ahead of her 3yo race day debut in the Open Sprint at Ellerslie on 9th December, this ahead of her two big summer assignments, the $200k Group One Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and the $1m Karaka 3yo Mile at the same venue 27th January.

Melody Belle – Cambridge Trials 24th October 2017

Click HERE to see trial results and Video replays – the Fortuna horses are in Heats 2 and 9

Wedding of The Year

The Happy Couple

I didn’t get to attend the wedding and I must confess that I don’t know the Groom at all, we must move in different circles!!!!!, but I have known the bride for close to 30 years in both political and racing circles.

All joking aside, our new Deputy Prime Minister, whose support of the Racing Industry is legendary, has made some strong commitments (subject to him being in power) to the Racing Industry, including a commitment to supporting the construction of a badly needed all weather track and, doubtless, the industry will be holding Winston to those commitments. The release of the coalition agreement between the two parties will be interesting to read in order to see what specifics there are with respect to the racing industry.

Fortuna Horses racing this week

The half brothers, MAJOR TOM and JACKS SECRET, are both set to race in Singapore this Sunday 29th October.

 

 

FORTUNA NEWSLETTER 19th October 2017

 


Fortuna’s CHANCE TO DANCE  winning Karaka Classic Sunday 24th September 2017
Opie Bosson in the saddle

In this Newsletter

  • CHANCE TO DANCE seeks Group One Glory in the $250,000 Livamol Classic at Hastings Sunday 22nd October

  • Last Call for Shares in “Lisa” – our physically outstanding Two Year Old Filly by up and coming Stallion Burgundy out of the Group Two winning mare Spin ‘N Grin

  • MELODY BELLE on song and trials 26th November at Te Aroha ahead of her 3yo campaign

  • Singapore News

  • Inaugural Running of The Everest a Victory for Syndication

 

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CHANCE TO DANCE seeks Group One Glory in the $250,000 Livamol Classic at Hastings Sunday 22nd October

Group One glory beckons for the Fortuna 8yo Gelding, CHANCE TO DANCE (Teofilo-Crystal Ballet) in the re-scheduled running of the Hawkes Bay Racing Club’s major Spring attraction, a clash with the extra edge of him taking on his stablemate, the very well performed and hot favourite, GINGERNUTS. Both horses worked together in an exhibition gallop between races at Matamata Saturday 14th and according to their training team, they “are flying”. The highly experienced Leith Innes takes the mount on CHANCE TO DANCE, known affectionally to his stablehands and ownership group as  “TED“. Fortuna Director, John Galvin, comments about his charge, “Ted is just a wonderful horse to have in our team, eight years old, the winner of eight races from just 29 starts and almost $500k in prizemoney, he has won races in Ireland, Melbourne and New Zealand and nothing phases him. Gingernuts is a deserved favourite for the event, he is going great in his work also, but our boy should be right in this race on the day,” he said,” and what a great thrill for our very large ownership group of 78 Members to have a Group One runner here in NZ within six months of acquiring him.” 

This is not CHANCE TO DANCE’s first Group One Event in the Fortuna colours, he ran 5th in the re-running of the A$2m Sydney Cup in April, after running 2nd in the first running, a race which was abandoned. Spelled since then and back into work in June, CHANCE TO DANCE won his first race in NZ when taking out the (Listed) Karaka Classic over 1600 metres at Pukekohe on 24th September.

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Last Call for Shares in “Lisa” – our physically outstanding Two Year Old Filly by up and coming Stallion Burgundy out of the Group Two winning mare Spin ‘N Grin

 

Take a look at the picture below!!!


“Lisa” – 2yo Filly by Burgundy out of Spin N Grin

I have always told anyone who is listening that I believe this filly is the most beautiful horse I have ever bought and I think this picture explains why. Big and strong, we have deliberately brought her along slowly, she had a nice long paddock break recently and is now back in work and her handlers report that she is going nicely without any issues. She will probably have her first trial toward the end of the year – she is not a 2yo type, but standing at 15.2 hands already, she will make a lovely 3yo. Amazingly, we still have a few shares left, but as I have said to a few people, we still had shares left in Melody Belle at this time last year!!!  Out of a Group Two winning mare in Spin ‘N Grin, she is a 3/4 sister to the Fortuna Singapore based galloper, MAJOR TOM, who has won three races in Singapore so far in 2017 and a half sister to the Fortuna Singapore based galloper JACKS SECRET

Jamie Richards is a big fan also – Click HERE to see Video footage of Lisa parading with voiceover from Jamie

And isn’t Burgundy going great as a sire? – already this season, his progeny have won three of the 3yo Stakes races to date, the O’Leary Wanganui Stakes and the Gold Trail Stakes (both won by Dijon Bleu) and the Hawkes Bay Guineas (won by Hard Merchandise)

Make sure you don’t miss out on what is left if you are tempted. A 2.5% share paid up to 1st November is $4495 and as always, we will do shares right down to 1%. Let me know soonest if you have interest

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MELODY BELLE on song and trials 25th October at Te Aroha ahead of her 3yo campaign


Fortuna’s MELODY BELLE  in action at Eagle Farm – Group Two Sires Produce Stakes  27th May 2017 – Opie Bosson in the saddle

Group One-winning filly Melody Belle (3f Commands – Meleka Belle) is humming in her track work and right on track to have a quiet trial at Te Aroha Wednesday 25th October. She will have a more serious trial two weeks after that and, all going well, she will commence her 3yo campaign in the Open 1200 metre Sprint at Ellerslie 9th December, then tackle her first Group One event against the older horses in the $200k Sistema Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and then back against her own Age Group in the $1m Karaka 3yo Mile at Ellerslie on 27th January.

MELODY BELLE  will be joined at the Te Aroha trials by two promising Fortuna 2yo’s, HANDSOME REBEL (2g Denman – London Rebel) and “Ariana” (2f Snitzel-Enduja). HANDSOME REBEL, who is eligible to run in the A$2m Magic Millions 2yo race on the Gold Coast in January (provided he can win enough prizemoney to make the field) will be having his 2nd trial after running a nice 2nd at his first at Ruakaka recently. while Ariana is making her trials debut

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Singapore News

It has been a bit quiet for the Fortuna NZ Stable in Singapore of late with most of the Team having breaks. One horse who has been busy of late and running well without luck is JACKS SECRET (5g Sakhees Secret – Spin N Grin). He resumed from a break on the 29th September and got beaten a neck and them raced again on the 15th October and ran 2nd again, this time beaten a short head. Yet to win a race in Singapore, “Jack” has had 13 raceday starts in 2017 and only finished out of the prizemoney in three of those, picking up S$47k in prizemoney in doing so.

The action picks up from here though with VENUS DE MILO (3f Burgundy – Breezed) resuming Friday 20th, the three time winner in 2017, MAJOR TOM (4g Darci Brahma – Spin N Grin) resuming the following week, another three time winner in 2017 with HIDDEN PROMISE (5g Postponed – Promissory) and last start winner PRINCE DARCI (4g Darci Brahma – Obsession not far behind. The talented SHAMROCK (3g Helmet-Shamabelle), who was stood down for three months after suffering a bleeding attack, is now back in work and will kick off a fresh campaign in the New Year. Recent arrivals in Singapore for the Team are COLORADO PRINCE (4g Alamosa – Sweet Dreams Baby) and SONNY BILL (3g Darci Brahma – Rihanna) – both of these horses will debut in the New Year.

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Inaugural Running of The Everest a Victory for Syndication

What a  great syndication story out of Randwick races on Saturday with REDZEL wining the inaugural A$10m Everest over 1200 metres. The Everest is a race whereby much of the $10m prizemoney is put up by the “slot holders” – each slot holder had to commit A$1.8m for three years ($600k per annum) in order to be able to nominate a horse. But the slot holders actually don’t need to own their nominated horse – they can do a deal on prizemoney with the connections of the horse they choose to represent them. This is what happened with REDZEL, a 5yo by Snitzel – he had been bought by Triple Crown Syndicators for $125k at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale and syndicated among 30 people, including a teacher, a police officer, an electrician and a concreter. Sounds a familiar story doesn’t it? REDZEL was no slug of course, he had won 9 times from 19 starts and $1.4m in stakes prior to Saturday’s race, however his ownership group were in no position to stump up with a $1.8m commitment for three years. However, James Herron, a very successful bloodstock agent, had acquired a slot and selected REDZEL to be his runner. I don’t know the terms, but from what I understand, the most common deal between slot holders and horse owners was a 50/50 split between them. There had been criticism of the concept earlier in the piece, with parties deriding it as a “race for the rich”, however those critics got kicked for touch when the outcome delivered $5.8m in gross prizemoney to a group of “ordinary people”. Members of the Fortuna Syndicates which owned TELL A TALE ( NZ Guineas 2008) and MELODY BELLE ( Karaka Million 2017) thought they had “died and gone to heaven” after winning Million Dollar events – imagine what it would be like to win a $10 million dollar race – this race is now the World’s richest race on Turf and a record crowd was on hand at Royal Randwick to witness the event with punting turnover on the day exceeding the Golden Slipper.  Who knows, one day we may have a Fortuna Sprinter in this race!!!

Click HERE to watch replay of The Everest

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 Fortuna Director, John Galvin

Contact John by email HERE or call/text John 021 921 460

Fortuna Weekly Round Up 17th October

 

CHANCE TO DANCE  all set for his Group One quest in the Livamol Classic at Hastings Sunday 22nd October

 

Group One glory beckons for the Fortuna 8yo Gelding, CHANCE TO DANCE (Teofilo-Crystal Ballet) in the re-scheduled running of the Hawkes Bay Racing Club’s major Spring attraction, a clash with the extra edge of him taking on his stablemate, the very well performed and hot favourite, GINGERNUTS. Both horses worked together in an exhibition gallop between races at Matamata Saturday 14th and according to their training team, they “are flying”. The highly experienced Leith Innes takes the mount on CHANCE TO DANCE, known affectionally to his stablehands and ownership group as  “TED“. Fortuna Director, John Galvin, comments about his charge, “Ted is just a wonderful horse to have in our team, eight years old, the winner of eight races from just 29 starts and almost $500k in prizemoney, he has won races in Ireland, Melbourne and New Zealand and nothing phases him. Gingernuts is a deserved favourite for the event, he is going great in his work also, but our boy should be right in this race on the day,” he said,” and what a great thrill for our very large ownership group of 78 Members to have a Group One runner here in NZ within six months of acquiring him.” 

This is not CHANCE TO DANCE’s first Group One Event in the Fortuna colours, he ran 5th in the re-running of the A$2m Sydney Cup in April, after running 2nd in the first running, a race which was abandoned. Spelled since then and back into work in June, CHANCE TO DANCE won his first race in NZ when taking out the (Listed) Karaka Classic over 1600 metres at Pukekohe on 24th September.

CHANCE TO DANCE wins Karaka Classic at Pukekohe

Inaugural Running of The Everest a Victory for Syndication

 

What a  great syndication story out of Randwick races on Saturday with REDZEL wining the inaugural A$10m Everest over 1200 metres. The Everest is a race whereby much of the $10m prizemoney is put up by the “slot holders” – each slot holder had to commit A$1.8m for three years ( $600k per annum) in order to be able to nominate a horse. But the slot holders actually don’t need to own their nominated horse – they can do a deal on prizemoney with the connections of the horse they choose to represent them. This is what happened with REDZEL, a 5yo by Snitzel – he had been bought by Triple Crown Syndicators for $125k at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale and syndicated among 30 people, including a teacher, a police officer, an electrician and a concreter. Sounds a familiar story doesn’t it? REDZEL was no slug of course, he had won 9 times from 19 starts and $1.4m in stakes prior to Saturday’s race, however his ownership group were in no position to stump up with a $1.8m commitment for three years. However, James Herron, a very successful bloodstock agent, had acquired a slot and selected REDZEL to be his runner. I don’t know the terms, but from what I understand, the most common deal between slot holders and horse owners was a 50/50 split between them. There had been criticism of the concept earlier in the piece, with parties deriding it as a “race for the rich”, however those critics got kicked for touch when the outcome delivered $5.8m in gross prizemoney to a group of “ordinary people”. Members of the Fortuna Syndicates which owned TELL A TALE ( NZ Guineas 2008) and MELODY BELLE ( Karaka Million 2017) thought they had “died and gone to heaven” after winning Million Dollar events – imagine what it would be like to win a $10 million dollar race – this race is now the World’s richest race on Turf and a record crowd was on hand at Royal Randwick to witness the event. Who knows, one day we may have a Fortuna Sprinter in this race!!!

Click HERE to watch replay of The Everest

Fortuna Horses Racing This Week

 

VENUS DE MILO resumes in Singapore Friday night and CHANCE TO DANCE seeks Group One glory in the Livamol Classic at Hastings on Sunday 22nd.

Finally, take a look at the picture below.

“Lisa” – 2yo Filly by Burgundy out of Spin N Grin

I have always told anyone who is listening that I believe this filly is the most beautiful horse I have ever bought and I think this picture explains why. Big and strong, we have deliberately brought her along slowly, she had a nice long paddock break recently and is now back in work and her handlers report that she is going nicely without any issues. She will probably have her first trial toward the end of the year – she is not a 2yo type, but standing at 15.2 hands already, she will make a lovely 3yo. Amazingly, we still have a few shares left, but as I have said to a few people, we still had shares left in Melody Belle at this time last year!!!  Out of a Group Two winning mare in Spin ‘N Grin, she is a 3/4 sister to the Fortuna Singapore based galloper, MAJOR TOM, who has won three races in Singapore so far in 2017.

And isn’t Burgundy going great as a sire? – already this season, his progeny have won three of the Stakes races, the O’Leary Wanganui Stakes and the Gold Trail Stakes (both won by Dijon Bleu) and the Hawkes Bay Guineas (won by Hard Merchandise)

Make sure you don’t miss out on what is left if you are tempted. A 2.5%share paid up to 1st November is $4495 and as always, we will do shares right down to 1%. Let me know soonest if you have interest