Fortuna Racing has three runners this Saturday 22nd January – one in New Zealand and two in Singapore
New Zealand
Mohawk Brave contests the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy at Ellerslie with Jonathan Parkes in the saddle – unbeaten from two starts to date, including a highly impressive performance in the R65 1200 at Awapuni on Boxing Day, this strapping son of Extreme Choice faces a massive class rise here and will meet the likes of Bonny Lass, Sword Of State and Imperatriz. He traveled to Ellerslie for a track gallop in company 17th January and his work was very strong. Has a bit to do to feature here but is a horse on “the up” – strong place chance
Singapore
Hidden Promise is in the Class 5 1200m Poly (Race 1 at 5pm NZT) – resuming after last racing 14thNovember, this hardy nice year old has won seven times in Singapore at 1600m plus – but has put in some solid performances at this trip when in a fresh state – Apprentice K Yusoff takes 3kgs off his back – can run into the minors if pace is strong
Deception contests the Restricted Maiden 1200m Turf (Race 2 at 5.30pm NZT). Having his 2nd career start, Deception ran a solid 3rd placing this grade 1100 Poly 8th January on debut, but did run greenly – the in form Shafiq Rusof takes the mount for the first time – gets to 1200 and the Turf – strong trials performances indicate that he can perform very well here – tricky draw from barrier 10 but strong each way chance with luck from draw
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters say about this race;
1st Pick: DECEPTION (8)
Was well supported last start and caught the eye running home in the fastest sectional of that race. The switch to turf should suit and needs some luck from a wide draw.
2nd Pick: BOUNTY RAINBOWS (6)
Winner of both his trials in pretty good time. Manoel Nunes has ridden him in both of those and he sticks with him for his debut. Will be well supported in betting.
3rd Pick: BINGO MASTER (2)
Has race experience to his name. A nice placing last start behind Sand Box who on the day was a surprise win. Since then he was a runner-up again and that form is standing up.
4th Pick: ALQANTUR (5)
Trialled nice since arriving. Should get a nice break from barrier two and must respect a first starter from this stable. Watch any market moves for him.
Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 18th Jan
Madame Moet (S.Pillay) worked over 1200 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.25.3, last 600 in 41.3.
Hayate (S.Pillay) worked at three-quarter pace over 800 metres in 57, home in 43.
Thursday 20th Jan
Madame Moet (M.Roustoby) worked over an easy 1200 metres in 1.21, home in 39.
Navalha (R.Khan) worked over 800 metres at three-quarter pace in 58, home in 43
Hayate (S.Pillay) worked over 600 metres at three-quarter pace in 43.2
Other News
A winning double for Fortuna in Singapore Saturday 15th January with both King Arthur and Brutus greeting the judge – see stories below from Fortuna Website
KING ARTHUR put in another regal performance when taking out the Class 4 1000m Polytrack event at Kranji 15th January, recording his 3rd win in succession and his 4th career win in Singapore. After winning his last two races from wide barrier draws, the 4yo son of I Am Invincible out of Pentasia (by Pentire) had the luxury of the No 1 gate this time. Former Singapore Champion Apprentice rider Shafiq Rusof was in the saddle and, jumping away well but then being pressured on the outside by two other runners, Shafiq was content to ease slightly, but hold the rail. Traveling well in the run, Shafiq gave his mount extra rein as they turned for home and King Arthur skipped away, going to the line under a hands and heels ride, easing down with 2 lengths to spare, running the trip in the smart time of 58.55
Click HERE to see the race replay
Trainer Donna Logan, recording her 2nd Training success in her role as newly appointed Head Trainer for the powerful Te Akau Racing enterprise, was a happy lass after the race “That was super to watch, this horse has really matured in his attitude and is racing very professionally – Shafiq handled him perfectly and he was just too strong for them today. Well done to John Galvin and his Fortuna Team of Owners, they put a lot into Singapore racing and deserve every success they get”
“King Arthur” – Singapore Win #4 – 15th January 2022
Fortuna Director, John Galvin, watching from his Hamilton home in New Zealand was also very happy “It’s never easy to win three in a row, but King Arthur was up to the task today and was a dominant winner, He hasn’t been the easiest horse to handle in the past, getting himself very worked up pre race, but today, as with his last start, he was the perfect gentleman saving all of his energies for the race. Big kudos to Donna Logan as we had set King Arthur to run on the 22nd Jan in the Class 4 1200, but after getting a very bullish trackwork report from Shafiq last Monday morning, Donna decided to give him another crack at the 1000m trip this week, a decision that has paid off big time ”
5yo Gelding BRUTUS (Rubick – Harvest Queen) made it back to back wins and recorded 3 wins and a 2nd from his last four starts when taking out the Class 4 1200m Turf at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse 15th January. Perfectly handled by former Singapore Champion Apprentice, Shafiq Rusof, BRUTUS bought up a double for the day for Shafiq, Te Akau Trainer Donna Logan and the Fortuna NZ Stable. Drawn in a mid field barrier, Shafiq had Brutus away well, but then eased and dropped into a one back out spot in the run, traveled nicely in the run, loomed up on the turn and was too classy in the run home, going to the post with a length to spare.
Click HERE to see the race replay
Trainer, Donna Logan, recording her 2nd win for the day and her 3rd from just three racedays in her newly appointed role as Head Trainer for Te Akau Racing Singapore was over the moon with the result “That’s a super performance – he was just too classy for them today – beautifully ridden by Shafiq and a great outcome for John Galvin and his Fortuna Team.”
Fortuna Director, John Galvin, watching from his home in New Zealand, was enjoying his evening having already watched the Fortuna stablemate KING ARTHUR win impressively earlier in the evening “That was an impressive performance today. Brutus has really turned his form around these past few months – he hit a bit of a flat spot throughout early and mid 2021 but came into his own with two wins and a 2nd in his last three starts in 2021. His former Trainer, Mark Walker, then made the wise decision to freshen him after his last win (3oth Oct), his new Trainer, Donna Logan, made an equally wise decision to trial him 4th January – that topped him off nicely. And well ridden by Shafiq, who is riding with just so much confidence”
Brutus (Rubick-Harvest Queen) was acquired by John Galvin at the May 2019 Inglis Digital Sale for A$45,000 from his former owners, The China Horse Club – he has now won four times and had nine minor placings from 24 starts and has accumulated S211,000 in Stakes for his 46 member strong ownership group, the Fortuna Brutus Syndicate, an Ownership Group with Members from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the UK
Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Breaking News from Magic Millions re enhancements to the Magic Millions Series
The Magic Millions Series has gone from strength to strength in recent years – the series is held over one raceday at Aquis Park on the Gold Coast– i.e the Saturday before the Magic Millions Summer Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast.
Currently it is a nine race programme with two races – the Two Year Old Classic and the Three Year Old Guineas run for A$2m each and five other races for A$1m each – there is also a Maiden race for A$250k and a Grade race for A$250k – clearly this is a highly lucrative day for the connections of successful runners – note that entry to these races are for yearlings that have bought at MM Yearlings Sales and which have been registered for the MM Series (one time fee of A$5500) – final acceptances are determined by ratings
Last week Magic Millions announced a significant enhancement for this Series beginning in 2023 – two new races – “The Syndicator” a race with A$1m Stakes over 1200mopen to horses 3yo and up owned by Ownership Groups consisting of more than 20 people. And “The Debut” a race for A$500k over 900m for 2yo’s having their first start. Both very exciting enhancements I am sure you will agree.
While the 2yo Race is probably a bridge too far for a NZ based 2yo, the Syndicator is a realistic target for any NZ based Graduate of the MM Yearling Sales. Which brings our very latest yearling acquisition, acquired 12th January right into focus
This Filly by Rubick (now given the stable name “Cube”) was selected by the Fortuna and Te Akau Trainer, Mark Walker, from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Summer Yearling Sale. With travel conditions difficult to Australia for New Zealanders, Mark Walker had travelled from Singapore to Australia late December and had immersed himself in the catalogue and online viewing of Video clips and photographs. Planning to buy five or six Yearlings in total for Te Akau in total, Mark had shortlisted about 100 Yearlings. Arriving at the Sales grounds early January, Mark then conducted physical inspections, consulting with David Ellis along the way and in the end, had a total of around 24 Yearlings vetted and those that passed were on the final buying list.
Mark had been working on a brief provided to him by Fortuna Racing’s John Galvin to select a strongly pedigreed, physically correct Yearling filly, who could potentially make a 2yo, but had the scope to develop into a quality 3yo and older horse. During inspections, Mark had identified “Cube” as a “must have” acquisition for Te Akau Racing and would be available to Fortuna provided she came in at or under the Fortuna budget ceiling. The budget was A$110k but at Auction time the A$110k bid was with another bidder, so Mark went one more bid and she was knocked down to us for A$120k, a very satisfying outcome in the context of an overall sales average of A$298k
Pedigree
CUBE possesses an outstanding pedigree. Her Sire is Rubick, a super fast winning son of Encosta de Lago, who won twice as a Two Year old including the Group Three Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield and then as a Three Year old won the Group Two Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield. The Sire of over 136 winners to date, including 3 Stakes winners, his Stud career got off to a flying start with his son Yes, Yes,Yes winning the Everest in 2019 and in the 2019/20 season he was the Leading Sire of 3yo’s in Australia. Rubick is the Sire of the Fortuna 5yo, Brutus, the Singapore based winner of 4 races to date in that jurisdiction
CUBE’S Dam, Miss Foxwood (by Fastnet Rock) the winner of 3 races in NZ and was Stakes placed once at Group One level, twice at Group 3 level and twice at Listed Level. Her Dam Foxwood (by Centaine) was an outstanding racemare, winning 5 times, twice at Group One Level (NZ 2000 Guineas and Captain Cook Stakes) and amazingly, she is the dam of 10 horses to race, all winners. She is the Granddam of the Singapore Champion 3yo, Mr Clint, the winner of the Singapore Guineas and the Singapore Gold Cup. This is also the family of Melbourne Cup winner, Gurners Lane
Across the board, this is an exceptional pedigree page, emphasised by the Dam Sire line of Fastnet Rock, Centaine, Sir Tristram, Sovereign Edition and Le Filou
Click HERE to Cube’s pedigree
Physical type
A strong, attractive Bay Filly of good medium size, “Cube” is physically correct, has a lovely temperament, walks very well and passed her Vet exam with flying colours with a Grade 1 scope and very clean X Rays – Click HERE to see her parading at Sales Grounds
Selector’s view (Mark Walker)
“This Filly has an outstanding pedigree page which really caught my attention in the first place, but then when I inspected her I was really impressed with her physical attributes – she is strong, well grown, walks beautifully and in my view represents great value both as a racemare and a future broodmare prospect. I was doubtful that I would be able to secure her for John’s budget, however the Australian Yearling market is very “fashionable” and although Rubick has a very good record as a Stallion at Stud, the “fashion” lies with I Am Invincible, Zoustar, Written Tycoon, Deep Field etc. Accordingly, she was able to slip under the radar to some degree and given her physical type and pedigree and the price we paid in the end compared to overall sales average, I am labelling her the “Value Buy of the Sale”.
I am on my way back to New Zealand in the next few weeks to take over from Jamie Richards as Head Trainer for Te Akau Racing in NZ and I am really looking forward to preparing this Filly for her racing career.”
Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis
“While I was unable to attend this Sale in person this year, due to travel restrictions, I worked very closely with Mark Walker as he sifted through the catalogue, conducted physical inspections and had our short list vetted. The Sale was exceptionally strong and I had my reservations, John, as to whether you would be able to secure a suitable type for your budget, but once again, you have succeeded. This Rubick Filly has an exceptional page with a deep, deep pedigree going back to some of New Zealand’s oldest families. Physically she is very impressive and I am going to be very proud to have her in our Stable to train for you”
Syndicator’s view (John Galvin)
“As always, we strive to seek “value” with our thoroughbred purchases and anticipating that this Magic Millions Yearling Sale would be very strong, we knew that we would have to “box clever” in order to acquire the right type of filly within our budget. Physical type is where I always focus my attention, Mark Walker is of the same mind of course and he identified five fillies for us that ticked all of the physical boxes that he thought may meet our budget. The first two came and went for “overs” but then we managed to secure the third one, this Rubick- Miss Foxwood Filly within our budget constraints. I was particularly pleased by that because I had rated her pedigree page as the No 1 of the five on the list. I am also very pleased that Mark Walker was heavily involved in her selection, given that he is returning to NZ to his old role as Te Akau Racing’s NZ Trainer”
Disclosure Statement & Agreement
Click HERE to read Disclosure Statement – Click HERE to read Syndicate Agreement
Terms
Shares can be ordered online from the Fortuna website HERE
Contact John by email john@fortuna-nz.com if you require further information or call/text 021 921 460
Ironies
As one who has never been afraid to be like the little boy in the Fairy Tale who cries out “Look, the Emperor has no clothes” I always have my eye out for those absurdities or ironies in life that jump out at us, particularly when they come from “officialdom”
Two caught my eye in this past week – the first one from across the Tasman with “Novax” Djokovic getting the boot because he didn’t fill out some forms properly – you could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from the Aussies believing they were now “safe” from someone who may not have been vaccinated – the irony is of course that this was against a backdrop where tens of thousands of Aussies (both vaccinated and unvaccinated) were going down with Covid.
By the way, it has come to light in this past week that jockeys in NSW are not required to be vaccinated!!
The second one is closer to home with a Judge determining that he would deny bail to Brian Tamaki who had arrested on a charge of speaking in a public place in breach of bail conditions. Presumably, the judge concluded that this 63 year old man was somehow a “threat to the community” if he was allowed to roam free? – meanwhile in South Auckland the gangsters roam around in their fancy cars armed to the teeth with illegal firearms, dealing amphetamines and shooting down anyone who gets in their way, seemingly untroubled by the Police and the Courts – the irony is delicious – it has become a funny old world we live in!!!