The Friday Flash – 21st August

Two Fortuna runners in NZ/Aus on Saturday 22nd – Three confirmed Fortuna Runners in Singapore on Sunday 23^rd – one on Ballot

Fortuna runners on Saturday are Highly Likely in the Manawatu Steeples – Race 5 12.55pm and Melody Belle in the Winx Stakes – Group One 1400m A$500k (Race 7 at 5.45 pm NZT)

Highly Likely has not won over the big fences for over 3 years and meets a strong field here in this time honoured $50k race over a gruelling 4400m trip. But ran on nicely for 4^th in his most recent Steeples race, is rock hard fit and gets track conditions (Heavy) which will suit his grinding style of racing perfectly. Charlie Studd to ride – hard to be confident that he can win but is a place chance if he is at his best.

Melody Belle was mildly disappointing on her resuming run in the Missile Stakes At Rosehill 2 weeks ago, however she has shown a pattern of not being at her best first up, did have a good blow afterward, gets to 1400m 2^nd up on an improving Randwick track – Kerrin McEvoy to ride. Meets a very strong field with 9 other Group One winners. Punters are wary in this race with early markets having the favourite Master Of Wine at $6.50 – Melody Belle is on the 4th line of betting at $11 (Aus bookmakers) and that is a fair reflection of her chances we think. Is ready to race boldly, is a strong place chance and can win if she is at her best.

Fortuna runners in Singapore on Sunday are Entertainer (Race 2 – 4.30pm NZT), Hidden Promise (Race 5 – 6pm) and Showbound (Race 6 – 6.30pm)  – Red Rover is Race 13 (10pm) but does need one scratching to get a start

Entertainer ran a bold 3^rd at his Singapore debut – a big, strong type who has impressed his handlers, he gets the Turf, a good draw and a top jock – can be a bit fractious at the barriers. Presents as a strong each way chance – see below the comments from the Singapore Turf Club Race analysis team

1st Pick: THE MAREEBA MANGO (1)

A very pleasing run on debut from this well bred sort (half-brother to a Group 1 winner) and can build on that here. Leading hope.

2nd Pick: ENTERTAINER (3)

Another to run a very nice race on Kranji debut and can continue to improve once again. A must for the numbers here.

3rd Pick: LATENT POWER (10)

Run out of it late by a useful one back in March and has trialled very well since and the barn of Michael Clements are in very good form with their youngsters.

4th Pick: BLUE BLOOD (6)

Best of the newcomers in this and the trial win looked smart for a stable having a nice run at the moment. The wide barrier is the drawback, though.

Hidden Promise finally gets a start after being balloted out recently – a five win horse in Singapore, he has never won at 1200m but rarely runs a bad race – although an eight year old, he may well be the soundest horse in Singapore – has been kept fresh for this trip and gate the “your gun” apprentice K Hakim, who can do no wrong of late, in the saddle along with a 3kg claim. Is at a dangerous place in the ratings in what is a moderate field, has a wide draw to contend with, gets visor blinkers on – look for a bold ride from young Hakim – has strong claims to run in the money – see below the comments from the Singapore Turf Club Race analysis team

1st Pick: FIREWORKS (9)

Looks the safest of bets in a very poor race. Could be a good time to make a cup of tea and wait for Race 6.

2nd Pick: MINGS MAN (7)

More reliable than most of these and he is bidding for his 10th victory here, and very best of luck to him as well.

3rd Pick: HIDDEN PROMISE (11)

Has a visor going on here for this start and a good apprentice is on.

4th Pick: DAVID’S STAR (10)

Keen-going sort who will be in the front rank throughout. Place hope if able to hold on.

Showbound has not set the world on fire with his three Singapore starts to date, but has earned prizemoney at each start. A recent trial winner, he gets the Turf in a Maiden 1200m – stable view is that he will appreciate 1400 to 1600m trip eventually, but has a reasonable draw, an apprentice rider (Hakim) who is on fire and claims 3kgs – can make his presence felt here and is certainly a good place chance – see below the comments from the Singapore Turf Club Race analysis team

1st Pick: ST ALWYN (4)

Has the form to win a little race like this and has the assistance of the champion hockey, which is a plus. The one to beat in a weak race.

2nd Pick: SHOWCASE THE GOLD (1)

Put in some good late work on local debut and wouldn’t be an surprise to see him improve on that effort in this affair.

3rd Pick: SHOWBOUND (2)

Has bits and pieces of form and is one to include for the multiples in this for a stable going well.

4th Pick: CRU BOURGEOIS (3)

Has been off a good while but if finding his early form, he is not without some sort of chance here. Interesting.

Red Rover is Ballot 1 and needs a scratching, but then has to contend with a wide barrier draw and a strong Class 2 field – he raced in a similar field at his last start and was in contention with 600 metres to run, before suffering a bad check. If he does get a run, he would need an awful lot of things to go right to be in contention and does look to be better placed in Class 3 company.

Te Akau Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –  Matamata

 Tuesday 18^th August

 Charmaine’s Dream (T Harris) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 57.6, final 600 in 42.5.

Burgundy Belle (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1 minute, last 600 in 45.2.

Rhapsody In Blue (D Montes de Oca) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 57, final 600 in 41.

Kensington Track – Randwick NSW:

Melody Belle (K McEvoy) and Probabeel (S Clipperton) galloped over 1000 metres, running the last 800 in 50.78, final 400 in 24.13. Melody Belle prepares for the Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on Saturday

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In other news, great results for the Fortuna NZ Stable in Singapore last Sunday with the evergreen Sportscaster winning for the 4th time – he doesn’t win out of turn, but rarely runs a bad race. Click HERE to read that story from the Fortuna website – and then Brutus continued his remarkable run of performing strongly without winning – now 7 Singapore starts for 4 3rds and 3 2nds after running 3rd last night in a very strong Novice field and off a wide draw – he has now won over S$72k and has is still a Maiden

In closing, we have two great value 3yo opportunities available, one for Singapore –TITAN – and one for NZ – NAVALHA – both have similar profiles (high priced yearlings, high profile owners, acquired by us from Inglis digital for a fraction of their yearling cost)

Click HERE to read all about TITAN – $2250 per each 2.5% share

TITAN – 3yo Gelding by Written Tycoon

and HERE to read all about NAVALHA – $1900 per each 2.5% share