Fortuna has 3 runners on Saturday, One in NZ in a Black type race and Two in Singapore
NZ- Pukekohe – Saturday 25th
BELLATRIX STAR steps into Stakes company when she contests the Counties Challenge Stakes at Pukekohe – Race 4 @ 1.35pm – Matt Cameron takes the mount. Meets a small, high quality field of six runners here with four of the six winning on debut. All six runners are registered for the Karaka Million and this will be a very competitive race. She will go back from the draw to get a run in behind the speed and look to finish over the top of them and represents an each way chance in a talented field @ $8/$2.20 fixed odds
Singapore – Saturday
PRINCE LONHRO makes his Singapore debut in the Open Maiden 1100m Polytrack event – Race 2 @ 5.30 NZT (12.30 Singapore time) – Yusoff, claiming 2kgs, rides from Barrier 2. Had good trials and race day form in NZ before traveling to Singapore – has been well prepared and can feature here if forward enough
ROCKY contests the Class 4 1700m on the Poly – Race 4 @ 6.30pm NZT (1.30 Singapore time) and will be ridden by Yusoff claiming 2kgs from Barrier 2. This talented galloper has won three times in Singapore, but has had rotten luck last three starts, being relegated back to 2nd after a protest, ridden upside down at his next start and then caught wide at his most recent start. He will love this trip and can redeem himself here
Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race;
1st Pick: THUNDER (1)
From five starts at the track and distance he has two wins and two minor placings which shows he is right in this. Tough middle-distance galloper who has been a good money spinner for the stable.
2nd Pick: SUPER BOWL (4)
Not the most ideal draw in barrier 11 for Nunes so he has options to push forward or go back. Plenty to like about his run last start when making up good ground late.
3rd Pick: KSATRIA (7)
Comes out of the race taken out by In All His Glory earlier this month. Will carry no weight after the claim for Jamil and that will play a big part in his chances here.
4th Pick: ROCKY (2)
Had no luck at his most recent start where he copped a heavy bump and was forced to race wide throughout the event. That was his worst performance in his last six starts so give him another chance here.
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Matamata Trackwork
No Fortuna timed trackwork this week
Singapore Trackwork
Saturday 18th November
RHETT BUTLER (JAMIL)800/600-38.5; TRIDENT (AWAH)800/600-38.5; ROCKY (YUSOFF)1000/600-38;
Tuesday 21st November
RHETT BUTLER (JAMIL)800/600-41; TRIDENT (AWAH)800/600-41;
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OTHER NEWS
Records Smashed at 2023 Karaka Ready to Run Sale
Unprecedented results were witnessed across two days of selling at New Zealand Bloodstock’s
2023 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the status of the world’s best sale of its kind and the confidence in New Zealand-raised and educated two-year-olds. The momentum increased off the back of Day One’s incredible results, which saw the total aggregate increase by 39% to over $35.1 million and no less than 12 lots sell for $500,000 or more.
Another record top price was recorded at $825,000 while the average also increased 21% on last year’s Sale to $156,031, a sum which exceeded that of the Book One total for Karaka 2023. Hong Kong-based buyers were responsible for over $16.7 million in spend across 70 lots, with Australian buyers also strong, securing 60 lots for a total of $8 million in receipts. Domestic buyers made themselves known with $5.5 million spent across the two days while other prominent markets included Malaysia, United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore and China.
NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was elated with the results. “I’m gobsmacked, these results are just unheard of. So thrilled for the vendors and very proud of our team at NZB who have been building relationships with some of these buyers over several years. I’ve never seen so many Hong Kong trainers here, and great they had their owners here which made a huge difference.”
Riversley Park become the leading vendors for the seventh consecutive year.
Eclipsing Day One’s record-breaking top priced lot was
Lot 376, a Star Turn colt out of Commonwealth who was purchased by Hong Kong-based Mr Pato Leung for $825,000.
“We’re ecstatic, I can’t believe it, it’s great for the team and the work they’ve put in,” commented an emotional Kit Brooks of KB Bloodstock.“I knew he was a nice horse, but you couldn’t dream of that sort of result. We will celebrate tonight, but the work starts all over again tomorrow,” Brooks added.
The leading buyer title was secured by Hong Kong-based Mr Yeung Kin Man, who secured 12 lots for a total spend of $2.4 million. Of those was Lot 289, an All Too Hard gelding out of Tuscany Lady for $800,000, presented by leading vendors Riversley Park.
Riversley Park secured the leading vendor title for the seventh consecutive year, selling 26 lots for $5.3 million. A shocked Sam Beatson commented on their results. “I wasn’t keeping track of the stats, but seeing some of the exceptional results go through the last two days, we weren’t expecting to come out on top. It’s not a competition, we all do the same thing and support one another,” he stated. “It’s good we can get these results, so we can all go again at the yearling sales.”
Jamie and Chanel Beatson of Ohukia Lodge followed closely behind, selling 22 lots for a total of $5.1 million, while averaging $233,318. Eion and Megan Kemp of Kilgravin Lodge claimed the leading vendor by average title, after 16 two-year-olds were sold for an average of $300,781, including Day One’s record-breaking sale of Lot 143 for $800,000.
The leading sire by average was Zoustar with three lots selling for an average of $466,667, followed by Capitalist who also had three lots sell for an average of $355,000.
View the 2023 Ready to Run Sale results here.
Attention now turns to Karaka 2024, with the online catalogue being released early next week.
|
2023 READY TO RUN SALE |
2022 READY TO RUN SALE |
2021 READY TO RUN SALE (VIRTUAL) |
2020 READY TO RUN SALE |
| Aggregate |
$35,107,000 |
$25,186,000 |
$20,547,000 |
$17,639,500 |
| Average |
$156,031 |
$129,159 |
$121,580 |
$95,349 |
| Median |
$90,000 |
$80,000 |
$80,000 |
$60,000 |
| Clearance |
73% |
76% |
66% |
77% |
| Catalogued |
383 |
329 |
322 |
311 |
| Offered |
308 |
257 |
256 |
240 |
| Sold |
225 |
195 |
169 |
185 |
| Top Lot |
Lot 376 $825,000 Star Turn – Commonwealth (B.C) |
Lot 258 $625,000 Capitalist – Sebrina (Ch.C) |
Lot 107 $640,000 Savabeel – Etiquette (Br.C) |
Lot 298 $700,000 (B.C) Savabeel – Miss Opulence |
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John Galvin says “I had asked David Ellis and Mark Walker to select a staying type Two Year Old Filly out of this sale – one with a strong pedigree page but which also met our criteria for type. Their inspections threw up two or three that met the overall criteria, but this Filly was their preferred option and we were lucky enough to secure her below our budget. Contributor is fashioning a great record as a Sire of staying types and this Filly really does fit the bill. Standing 16 hands high and weighing 500kgs, she is a great physical specimen.”
The CONTRIBUTOR – VICTORY PARADE Two Year Old Filly
Mark Walker comments about this Filly – “Asked by John Galvin to find a nice staying type, this Filly really caught my eye when David Ellis and I conducted our inspections – a lovely moving Filly of good size, her breeze up gallop demonstrated a strong powerful action – she paraded very well at inspections and has the physical characteristics to develop into a lovely staying type as a Three Year Old and beyond ”
This Filly will be syndicated by Fortuna to its clients and the general public – Syndicate paperwork still being prepared but shares will be available down to 1% and we are taking expressions of interest NOW – $12,400 per 10% share, $6,200 per 5% share, $3,100 per 2.5 share, $1,240 per 1% share all inclusive of GST, Promoter Fees, Insurance to 31 Jan 2025 and working capital of over $8,000
Ongoing costs start January 2024 at $44 per month per each 1% share
Click HERE to see her sales page on the NZB website – you can see her pedigree, breeze up gallop and parade video at this link
Contact John Galvin HERE to express interest or call/text John 021 921 460
Note that we will be parading this lovely Filly at our Owners Day 10th December
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Fortuna Owners Day 2023 is scheduled for Sunday 10th December
Yes it’s that time of the year again – the occasion of our very popular Owners Day where we will review the successes of the past 12 months, mix and meet and we will be parading all of the Matamata based horses
Venue – Epsom Lounge – Matamata Racecourse
Time – 1pm to 4pm
Refreshments provided
Note that it is important to register your attendance as we need that for catering – please email jessica@fortuna-nz.com or call/text 021 288 6997
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Guest Selector – Gary Williams
Gary had a real lash at Riccarton last week and produced three winners in a row, including Perfect Scenario, who blew out to $14 on the tote. Across the Tasman he picked the quinella in the 1000 Guineas with Joliestar paying $5.10 on the tote, Kimochi $2.70 the place and a juicy $20.60 quinella
Here is what Gary says this week
Hi John and the Fortuna Team
Back home after a very enjoyable Cup week in Christchurch and the Finances in very good shape. Betting mainly on trifectas with the odd First 4 can be a risky strategy but with the larger pools I stayed ahead of the game over the week. A lot of fun too !
This week the threat of rain hangs over us again but Pukekohe should provide some competitive racing.
Race 1…Verstappen [ $11/$3 ]looks ready to speed around Pukekohe.
Race 2 Candycane [$9/$3] has been stiff lately, should be powering home late.
Race 3 Armino [$6 / $2.50] – ready to show form with weight relief.
Race 6 Volare [ $3.60 / $1.50] – Skinny odds but ticks a lot of boxes.
Race 7 Waitak [ $3.65 / $1.70 ] – Lousy odds but one to follow as is a class horse – a good race for exotics with 6, 9 and 13
Race 8 This race a key for later Cup races with Aquacade at head of trifecta with Aromatic and Dionysus.
Race 9 Our Alley Cat [$4.50 / $2 ] eachway all day, with Faraglioni and Wolverine set to fill the trifecta.
Race 10 Novak [ $26 / $8 ] nice offering to complete Counties Cup day. I managed to get my hands on the Cup about 14 years ago when Tinseltown was successful
