Fortuna’s 5yo Gelding OUR RIVER DANCER (Danehill Dancer-Distinctly) put in a tough performance in Singapore today, Sunday 13th September. A last start winner by five lengths two weeks ago, OUR RIVER DANCER had felt the handicappers lash with eight ratings points (4kgs) added. Starting in the same grade, Trainer Mark Walker decided to claim 4kgs by engaging the promising young apprentice CK NG. Drawn 11 from the 1600 metre mark on the Polytrack, there is only a 100 metre run to the first turn. Instructions to the young rider were very clear; go forward and try and lead. OUR RIVER DANCER began well but there were a number of horses inside him also vying for the lead. Undeterred, NG kept pressing on with the horse and finally hit the lead at about the 1000 metre mark. Turning for home, the horse was traveling well, but the swoopers were coming and at the 200 metre mark it looked like he might be collared, but found enough to go to the line winning by half a length. Click HERE to see the replay.

Fortuna Director John Galvin who was present on track along with his wife Jessica, was quick to give praise to trainer Mark Walker. “Our River Dancer has always been inclined to pull hard in his trackwork, so a couple of months ago, Mark changed his training regime with less trackwork and a lot more work on the treadmill and the swimming pool. It seems to have made all of the difference and the horse now boasts two wins, a 2nd, a 3rd and a 5th from his last five starts.”

Acquired for Fortuna by David Ellis at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale, OUR RIVER DANCER is raced by an ownership group of 26 individuals and his now won over S$68k in prize money.

It may have been his 19th Singapore start and yet to greet the judge, however 5yo OUR RIVER DANCER (Danehill Dancer-Distinctly) was unfazed as he strode to the winning post over 5 lengths clear of his nearest rival in a Class 5 event over 1600 metres on Kranji’s Poly Track Sunday 30th August. Ridden by Singapore’s leading apprentice Shafiq Rusof, OUR RIVER DANCER (stable name HUNTER) bounced away from barrier one as he does like to lead in his races. Taken on by eventual runner up, SUPER VELOX, rider Shafiq eased him out of the speed duel and had the horse loping along nice and relaxed in third place. As they turned for homs Shafiq eased Hunter into the gap between the twh horses and sprinted away for an emphatic win. OUR RIVER DANCER, who had almost a year off racing after knee surgery, has been knocking on the door of late with a third and a second in his two previous races, so was sent out a very warm favourite last night. Click HERE to see the race replay

Acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndicators at the Karaka 2012 Sale, OUR RIVER DANCER is raced by the  Fortuna Our River Dancer Syndicate, an ownership group comprising 26 individuals.

It is a big weekend for Fortuna runners Friday night sees DURAN ( Darci Brahma)  on debut in Race 2, Stable Star EATONS GOLD in race 6, SECRET SPICE who is 2nd up after a good resuming 2nd placing in Race 1, DOUBLE JEOPARDY in race 4 and READY FORTUNE, who is in top form in race 3.  Sunday evening  sees last start winner KING SAVINSKY and last start runner up OUR RIVER DANCER  looking to extend their records.

At his seventeenth attempt in Singapore and after running eight minor placings in a row, 5yo KING SAVINSKY (Savabeel-Lynisky) was not be denied in his Class 5 race over 1900 metres on the Polytrack at Singapore’s Kanji racetrack. Ridden by Singapore Champion jockey, Manoel Nunes, he had drawn barrier one and raced on the rail just behind the speed. Nunes extricated his charge off the rail just before the turn and KING SAVINSKY put together a strong gallop down the straight, fighting off a determined Super Velox, before scoring by bit over a length. Trained in Singapore by Mark Walker, KING SAVINSKY was a  Maiden winner here in New Zealand before traveling to Singapore after contesting the NZ Derby in 2014. He took a while to acclimatise to his new environment, but had been racing in very consistent form over recent months. Click HERE to see race replay.

Acquired by David Ellis for Fortuna at the Karaka 2012 Yearling Sales, KING SAVINSKY is raced by the Fortuna King Savinsky Syndicate, an ownership group of 32 people.

Fortuna Singapore trackwork – Tuesday 4 August (heavy rain) – Kranji –

Polytrack (Slow)

Our River Dancer (SB Ng) – Canter, 1000m/600m 36.9;

Wednesday 5 August (fine and sunny) – Kranji –

Polytracks- Good

King Savinsky (Nunes) – Canter, 1000m ¾ /600m 42.9;

Eatons Gold (SB Ng) – 800m/600m 37.2.

Thursday 6 August – (fine & sunny) – Kranji –

Polytracks- Good

Lady Iffraaj (CK Ng) – 800m ¾ /600m 43.2.

Five Fortuna runners in Singapore this weekend

Friday 7th

5yo Double Jeopardy  is all set for his 2nd up run this coming Friday in a Class 5 event over 1600 metres on the Turf. Drawn 1 at the barrier, he carries top with of 59kgs but has Singapore’s leading jockey Manoel Nunes in the saddle. Note this is a day meeting as Singapore is celebrating its 50th Anniversary (and what a 50 years it has been for the fledgling nation) and so the race start time is 4.50pm NZ time. He is well suited by this race at a trip that is ideal and on the roomy Turf track. A bold showing is expected.

In the same race and after not getting a start last week, OUR RIVER DANCER is all set for his race this Friday in a Class 5 1600 metre event on the Turf track. Unfortunately, he has drawn wide, at Barrier 11, however he will carry just 48.5kgs courtesy of the 4kg claim of Apprentice CK Ng. If he jumps well, rider will take him forward and he is capable of featuring in the finish with luck in the running.

Sunday 9th

KING SAVINSKY  has bounced through his race last Friday like an old pro and so is all set to race again this coming Sunday in a Class 5 event over 1800 metres on the Ploytrack, race 5 at 6.50pm NZ Time. Drawn barrier 9, in a field of 13, Manoel Nunes to ride   and if he jumps well, you will see him take up a prominent position in the running. THE KING is well suited in this event, has been racing very consistently and it would be no surprise to see him win his first race in Singapore.

SECRET SPICE has been coming along very nicely in her work and she will resume racing this coming Sunday 9th August in a Class 5 1200 metre event on the Polytrack, Race 8, run at 8.20pm NZ time. Singapore’s top jockey, Manoel Nunes takes the mount from a nice draw of barrier 7. Wile at a trip that is too short for her, she could give a lot of cheek in a fresh state.

EATONS GOLD  is all set to run this coming Sunday 9th August in an Open Benchmark 1100 event on the Polytrack, Race 10 at 9.25pm NZ time. Spoilt for choice with jockeys, Mark Walker  has elected to put Singapore’s Champion rider, Manoel Nunes, aboard. Unfortunately, we have drawn wide again, but Nunes will sum that up as they jump and we know he has the speed to go forward if able. Racing in white hot form, EATON is very capable of taking this event out.

7.25 p.m. R6 No 6 Double Jeopardy (4g Mettre En Jeu – Flyin’ Finnish) ; drawn ten of eleven, Double Jeopardy returns from a spell with Corey Brown taking the mount. The 4YO looks terrific and has recently had a quiet trial in preparation for this race. He has proven to be a consistent performer and even though 1200m will be short of his best, his work suggests that he can be a first four contender in the race. Click HERE to see the race field

8.25 p.m. R8 No 6 Our River Dancer (4g Danehill Dancer – Distinctly)  has been a little disappointing of late but he is looking well and his work suggests that there could be some improvement in him. He has drawn ten in this thirteen horse field. Corey Brown takes the ride and with his wealth of experience, Our River Dancer looks to be a competitive place chance. Click HERE to see the race field

Fortuna Singapore trackwork  – Tuesday 14 July (Fine & Sunny) –

Polytracks (Good)

Track 2 –

Our River Dancer (SB Ng) Canter, 1000m ¾ /600m 43.2;

Track 6 –

Duran (CK Ng) – 800m ¾ /600m 44.4.

Wednesday 15 July (Fine & Sunny)

Polytracks (Good)

Track 2 –

Our River Dancer (SB Ng) – Canter, 1000m ¾ /600m 42.8;

 Thursday 16 July (fine & sunny)

Polytracks (Good)

Track 2 –

Eatons Gold (SB Ng) – Canter, 1000m ¾ /600m 41.2;

Track 6 –

Captain Classique (CK Ng) with Duran (Misbah) – 800m ¾ /600m 38.6;

King Savinsky (Matthias) – 800m ¾ /600m 41.7;

Fortuna Matamata Trackwork Thursday 16 July –

Course proper (Heavy):

Ebony Star (Fawcett) who is heading toward Te Teko trials 4th August had an easy gallop.

2g Postponed – Promissory (Ritchie) and 2g Sahkee’s Secret – Spin ‘ N’ Grin (Miller) worked together in an easy gallop over 800 metres.

Fortuna horses  track workWednesday 1 July –

Sand track, three-quarter pace – right-handed:

Windborne (Hercock) ahead of resuming at Ruakaka 25th July, worked strongly and got her time spot on for 800m

Fortuna Singapore trackwork  – Tuesday 30th June

Track 2 –Polytrack

Double Jeopardy (SB Ng) – worked over  1000m ¾  pace, last 600m 39.8;

Three runners this weekend, two in Singapore Friday night and one at Te Rapa Saturday

First away in Singapore Friday is 4yo KING SAVINSKY who ran a creditable 3rd placing last week after being slow away and now backs up in a Kanji D Stakes event over 2200 metre on the Turf track. To be ridden bt Stable Apprentice, Shafiq Rusof, who is in white hot form, “THE KING” looks very well placed in this event. Race 3 at 11.20pm Friday evening NZ Time.

Race 8 at 1.50am Sat morning NZ Time, see five time winner EATONS GOLD tackle a quality Class 3 field over 1000 metres on the polytrack. Drawn 3 at the barrier, Trainer Mark Walker has elected to go for a claiming rider, CK Ng, and take 4kgs off EATON’s back. The pace will be hot in this race and with a nice run from the draw, EATON has a chance of finishing over the top of them with his light weight of just 49.5kgs.

Te Rapa on Saturday sees 4yo HIGHLY LIKELY, contest the Rating 65 2100 metre event, race 4 @ 1.25pm. Somewhat disappointing in this current campaign, after winning twice in his first campaign, HIGHLY LIKELY is down in grade and will get track conditions to suit. He will be ridden by Craig Grylls.