Friday Flash – 18th November 2022

Headline News;

Fortuna Racing acquires a Two Year Old Filly by Dundeel at the NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale

Fortuna Annual Owners Day – Matamata Racecourse – Sunday 4^th December

Fortuna has five runners  on Saturday, all in Singapore

Singapore – Saturday 19^th

DECEPTION runs in the Class 4 1200 Turf – Race 2 @ 12.30 Singapore time (5.30pm NZT) and will be ridden again by Simon Kok, claiming 1kg, from a handy barrier – last start winner this class and trip, he is well placed here to deliver another good result – is a strong each way chance

Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race:

1st Pick: WIN WIN (1)
Form in behind South Of The River looks strong enough to be winning well here, looks very hard to beat even as the top weight.
2nd Pick: HAPPY MOMENT (2)
Was unlucky early finding no room and when the runs came at the 300m, he had nothing to give. Backing up here but didn’t have a gut busting run last week so he could give a sight here.
3rd Pick: DECEPTION (4)
Solid win last start to burst through and get the money. WH Kok stays on board, draws well, top three player.
4th Pick: FADABOY (5)
Last start was a tad disappointing after the form suggested he wasn’t far from a win. The blinkers have made an obvious difference and he worth giving another shot with Mick Dee booked to ride.

ROCKY contests the Novice 1400 Turf event – Race 7 @ 3pm Singapore time (8pm NZT) and will be ridden by Jake Bayliss from a mid field barrier. Two solid 4ths in Class 4 company after winning his Maiden at just his 4^th raceday start, Rocky has never finished out of the money. Meets some handy types here, but is up to the challenge – can run first three

KING ARTHUR runs in the Kranji Stakes A 1200 Turf – Race 9 @ 4pm Singapore time (9pm NZT) and will be ridden by Fadzli Yusoff, claiming 2kgs from a mid field barrier. The winner of 9 races from 16 starts in a 12 month period, he is now one of the highest rated horses in Singapore. Meets a hot field here, but trialed brilliantly 10 days ago and is right up for this – strong each way chance and can win

Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race:

1st Pick: LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO (3)
Multiple Group One winner who has won from 1200m to 1800m in a dominant season that puts him into Horse of The Year contention. He had a solid trial in preparation for this and the stable knows how to have them spot on for a big day. Should have a nice run from barrier 3.
2nd Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (8)
Promising up and coming galloper from our leading stable who ran a cracker in the Group One Lion City Cup earlier this year. Has had a freshen up since that run where he was caught wide and finished strongly for third. Craig Williams takes the steer with 50kgs.
3rd Pick: KING ARTHUR (2)
Top sprinter who has had a strong season including a strong second placing in the Group One sprint behind Lim’s Kosciuszko. He was very brave on that occasion, and this looks a nice race for him to be in the finish again.
4th Pick: ROCKET STAR (5)
Talented gelding who has been off the scene since March where he finished second behind Fame Star. He has had his fair share of issues but has had two trials under his belt and look for him late.

ENTERTAINER  also runs in the Kranji Stakes A 1200 Turf – Race 9 @ 4pm Singapore time (9pm NZT) and will be ridden by Australian jockey of the moment, Mick Dee from the outside barrier. On paper, he is out of his depth here and wide draw won’t help, but has performed well in this grade before and has a very much in form rider aboard and a featherweight. Can sneak a place at odds

TRIDENT runs in the Class 4 1400 Race 10 @ 4.30pm Singapore time (9.30pm NZT) and will be ridden by Fadzli Yusoff, claiming 2kgs from the outside gate. After winning 2 races in succession Trident has raced well for 2 2nds and a 4^th in this grade without a lot of luck. Yusoff back on will help, but has a tricky draw to contend with. A talented galloper at best, he can feature in the finish here with luck in the running from his wide draw

Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race:

1st Pick: DREAM ALLIANCE (2)
Looking to make it three wins on the bounce for the strong Fitzsimmons stable. Should settle just off the pace and proved he can mix it in this class. Rises in weight but looks a progressive type.
2nd Pick: TRIDENT (1)
Finished runner up last start behind Dream Alliance who he must try and tackle again this weekend. Strong course and distance stats with two wins and a minor placing from three starts. Can go one better with the claim from our leading apprentice.
3rd Pick: EAGLE EYE (4)
He can be a tricky horse to follow but when he brings his best, he can mix it with these class four gallopers. Thrives at this distance and stable should have him fully wound up for a big run.
4th Pick: ON LINE (3)
We haven’t seen him win since October of last season but has caught the eye in a few runs in much higher rated races. Recorded the fastest sectional time when finishing fifth and could surprise.

Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday 15^th November

Angels Wings (J Kamaruddin) worked together over an easy 1000 metres in 1.03.5, home in 36.8

Fortuna Track work – Singapore
 
Saturday  12th November

King Arthur (Yusoff) – 1000/600 37.5; Trident (Yusoff) – 1000/600 39; Brutus (Awah) – 1000/600 39;

Tuesday   15^th November

King Arthur (Ronnie) – 800/600 37.6; Rocky (Jake) – 800/600 38.6; Deception (Simon) – 800/600 40

=======================================================================
Other News
 

Fortuna acquires a Two-year-old Filly by Dundeel at the NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale

Lot 320, the 2yo Filly by Dundeel out of Vivi Veloce (by More Than Ready) was knocked to the bid of Fortuna Racing/David Ellis 17th November at the NZB Ready To Run Sale. Acquired for New Zealand/Australian racing, this Filly presents as a lovely physical type, and has the pedigree to match.

This Filly was identified initially by Mark Walker out of the breeze ups, demonstrating a lovely action and breezing up in a good time. Subsequent physical examinations by Mark, David Ellis and Marcus Corban had her firmly on the “buy” list and knowing that I wanted to acquire a Middle Distance/Staying type Filly at this sale, she was earmarked for Fortuna Racing provided that we could get her for budget. She vetted perfectly on Thursday morning, so we were all set

Being late in the sale, we were taking a bit of a risk, in that if she went over budget, we could walk away from the sale empty handed, however I set a budget of $120k and amazingly, she was knocked down to us for just $60k which I was not expecting – it had been a very strong sale and perhaps being late in the sale was to our advantage as those buyers seeking fillies may well have filled their orders – sometimes you get lucky!!!

Mark Walker who will train this Filly for us from the Te Akau Training  Stables at Matamata, has this to say about our new acquisition “John, once again you have done very well here on price – I was particularly drawn to her breeze up gallop, she had a very strong and correct action and to my eye looked to be a genuine middle distance staying type of Filly with a very strong pedigree page. When I inspected her in the flesh at the sales, I was only more pleased with her – she is a lovely physical type who may well be a contender for the 3yo races in the Spring of 2023, but will certainly come into her own as an Autumn 3yo with races like the NZ Oaks a logical target for her”

Click HERE to go to view her breeze up gallop (outside runner in purple silks)

Click HERE to view her parade Video

This Filly had been prepared for the RTR Sale by master horseman Chad Ormsby at his Riverrock  Farm establishment

Pedigree

By the Group One winning Stallion, DUNDEEL, now the Sire of 225 winners including 18 Stakes winners, this Filly also boasts an extremely strong distaff side being out of the More Than Ready mare, Vivi Veloce, a Group 3 winner in South Australia and the dam of two foals to the races to date – both winners. The grand dam Royal Sash (Royal Academy) won 6 times in Australia including the Mannerism Stakes at Group 3 level – this is a very stout pedigree – see  pedigree below;

John says “It is always very satisfying to set your sights on a horse you really like, set a budget and then secure it at or under budget – this Filly was the one we wanted and we waited and waited and our patience paid off – she is a lovely physical type who ticked all the boxes during our inspection process and she looks to be a great addition to the Fortuna Racing Team”

This Filly will now go to Te Akau Stud for four to six weeks – during this time she will strengthen and mature and then Mark will get her into the Stables for her first Te Akau Stable preparation which may well lead to a trial in the Autumn and potentially a  start or two as a 2yo late Autumn to gain race day experience.

The all up syndicated cost for this Filly is NZ $110,000 – this includes purchase price, GST, Promoters fees, insurance through to January 2024 and over $12,000 of working capital

Syndication paperwork is still being finalised but we are taking Expressions of Interest and you can do that by emailing john@fortuna-nz.com or call/text John 021 921 460 – orders will be allocated as they are received – so if you have interest, please don’t delay  – the last time we offered a Filly for NZ/Aus racing, the Lonhro 2yo “Ebony”, all of the shares were snapped up in 3 hours

Terms

• Shares available right down to 1%.
• 10% share $11,000  – 5% share  $5,500– 2.5% share $2,750 – 1% share $1,100 (all pricing in NZ$)
• Share price includes all Initial Costs (Purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Insurance through to 31st January 2024, and Working Capital of $12,000 approx
• Monthly ongoing costs from 1^st January 2022 – from that date ongoing costs are – 10% share $440 per month – 5% share $220 per month – 2.5% share $110 per month – 1% share $44 per month.
• Monthly ongoing costs can alternatively be paid up to 12 months in advance as an option for subscribers by Bank Payment or Credit Card

Fortuna Annual Owners Day – Matamata Race Course – Sunday 4^th December
 
Venue – Epsom Lounge – Matamata Race course
Date – Sunday 4^th December
Time – 1pm to 4pm
Format – Meet and Greet, light refreshments, Review of 2022 Calendar Year, Parade of all of the Fortuna Matamata based horses
Special Guest – Mark Walker

Guest Selector

We have engaged a new guest selector for our weekly Friday Flash – Des Coppins has filled this role for the last few months but is stepping aside in favour of Tom Waterhouse and we thank Des for his services.

Tom Waterhouse is of course, a household name in Australian racing circles, being a scion of the legendary Waterhouse bookmaking family, a connection that goes back to his great grandfather Charles in the late 19^th century and then perpetuated by his grandfather Bill and his father Robbie – Tom carried the bookmakers bag in his own right from 2003, left the bag behind when converting the business to an online one in 2010, before selling his business to William Hill in 2013 and staying on as CEO until 2018. And, of course, we have to mention that Tom has a classic racing pedigree on both sides of the family, with his mother, the effervescent and highly successful Sydney Trainer, Gai Waterhouse – with Gai being the daughter of the legendary Tommy Smith – it does not get much more “blue blooded” than that does it!!

After William Hill was sold to another bookmaking business in 2018, in a classic “poacher becoming gamekeeper” move, Tom then launched an online tipping service with the aim of helping punters beat the bookies

Tom’s tipping service is available by subscription (at a cost of course) with a whole range of packages – far too many mention here, but for example, there is a Daily Best Bet, where subscribers receive a daily email (there is also an App), a Weekly Five Best package and for Saturday racing, a Gold Package giving 20 bets for the day and a Silver Package giving 5 bets for the day – all of Tom’s packages provide historical data and, most importantly, a staking strategy and there is a package for every budget

Tom Waterhouse

Click HERE to visit Tom’s website

I am a subscriber myself and have enjoyed considerable success with the Silver Package (which has provided an average 18.4% Profit on Turnover and a 419.8% return on investment since inception in 2018) and can thoroughly recommend Tom’s services

Tom is going to give us one “Best Bet” for Australian Saturday racing and this week it is;