Headline News
Ellerslie gets “Green light” to resume racing Sunday 14thJanuary
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Fortuna has four runners Friday and Saturday – one at Tauranga Friday and three at Trentham Saturday including one in a Stakes Race
Friday – Tauranga
HAYATE steps up in trip in the R65 1600 event – Friday15th December – Race 9 @ 6.32pm with Opie Bosson to ride from a wide barrier. Two runs at 1400m since resuming have seen two thirds, the second one a head bobbing finish. Looking for the Mile and is right in this as a strong each way chance. Market @ $5.50/$2.10
Saturday – Trentham
DANCARINA contests the R75 1300m event – race 2 @1.45pm with Joe Kamaruddin to ride from Barrier 4. Disappointed last 2 starts at Riccarton but both were on very firm tracks – prior form was very good – will get softer track conditions here and if back to her best, can feature in the finish here. Market has her @ $7.50/$2.40
LEADERBOARD races in the R83 2200m event – Race 5 @ 3.35pm and will be ridden by Joe Kamaruddin. Resuming run at Otaki 1600m recently was a nice pipe opener for him – his work during the week was very strong and so is ready for this trip. Previous runs at Trentham have seen him collect two big scalps with the St Leger and the Wellington Cup – loves it wet and Metservice forecast for Saturday says “Rain becoming persistent in the morning” – May be a tad short for him, but can certainly feature in the finish here @$8.50/$2.80
VIVACIOUS takes a big step forward into Stakes Company at just her 3rd race day start when she contests the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes over 1600m – Race 7 @ 4.45pm, with Jonathan Parkes to ride from Barrier 11. This talented daughter of Dundeel impressed observers with how she won at 1400m at Te Aroha recently – meets a handy field here with good form but seems to have the class to cope . Market is keeping her safe as equal fave with the well performed Chantilly Lace @ $5/$2
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Matamata Trackwork
Vivacious (S Weatherley) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.03.8, home in 36.7.
Leaderboard (J Kamaruddin) galloped over 1200 metres in 1.18.2, last 600 in 38.6.
Hayate (N Parmar) galloped over 1200 metres in 1.23.1, last 600 in 37.9.
Singapore Trackwork
Saturday 9th December
ELLIOT NESS (AWAH)800/600-40; KING ARTHUR (YUSFOFF)1000/600-37.5;
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OTHER NEWS
Ellerslie gets “Green light” to resume racing Sunday 14th January
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) has confirmed racing will resume at Ellerslie Racecourse on 14th January 2024 following a successful fourth and final phase of testing on its course proper.
New Zealand’s premier thoroughbred racecourse has been undergoing a gradual ‘return to racing’ testing plan in conjunction with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) over the past month of which today was the final phase.
Monday, 11 December (today) saw trials take place at Ellerslie with 60 horses galloping on the surface across 12 heats. Senior jockeys, Opie Bosson, Craig Grylls and Joe Doyle were oncourse for the first time since the development.
“It’s a really quality track that was so needed here,” commented Joe Doyle.“It rides brilliantly and the horses stay so balanced. It’s really good, I like it.”
Opie Bosson also had very favourable things to say about the track commenting, “It feels beautiful. Nice and smooth and it’s a privilege to ride on it. There’s not one fault in the track at all and I’m looking forward to getting back here in January.”
NZTR’s Head of Licensing and Stakeholder Engagement, Matthew Williamson, was also oncourse gathering feedback from a range of stakeholders. “It’s an incredible, incredible surface. I can’t speak highly enough of it. It’s been long awaited here in New Zealand and that $50million that’s been put into it has been well spent for the industry. Comments from Michael McNab were extremely favourable and comments from the RIB stewards were that it’s a consistent and brilliant surface. Given our tracks around the country can, from time to time, be challenging, the comment was that stakeholders will know exactly what they are riding out on to here at Ellerslie. As far as the track surface goes, feedback has been favourable from absolutely everybody and as far as NZTR is concerned, we’ll go through our process but the sign off today is very favourable.”
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Chief Executive Officer Paul Wilcox says, “To say we are delighted is an understatement. This moment has been much anticipated by not only us here at ATR, but by the entire industry and I’m thrilled at the feedback we’ve received.We’re grateful to the support afforded to us by the senior jockeys, trainers and owners who’ve helped us with the all-important testing process and I know I’m not the only one who says they cannot wait to get back racing here in January.”
With the testing now complete, racing will commence at Ellerslie Racecourse on Sunday, 14 January with Summer Raceday ahead of the highly popular TAB Karaka Millions on Saturday, 27 January.
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Owners Day – 17th December
Fortuna Owners Day 2023 is scheduled for Sunday 17th December
Its not too late to register for 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 – The Gazebo (not 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
Well Gary certainly delivered for us last week with four winners from eight selections at Pukekohe – Here is what he says this week
Hi John and Team
I was pleased with my efforts last week, tipping Craig Grylls was certainly prudent, I just not getting my longer odds fancies up !
This week there is interest in both Northern meetings , and Wellington just may get some rain on the day..Leaderboard connections are praying !
Trentham fields are small but tricky and I’m looking for Johnathon Parkes and Katie Hercock to be prominent in many finishes.
My two standout horses are Race 4…..Za’faran [$8.50 / $3 ] been freshened and back to 1600m but is a talented horse eyeing up Cup races and should be ready. Race 10…..Conway O’Ceirin [$5 / $2] a good way to end the day !
Waikato Christmas Goodies…..
Race 3 …Hayley [$13/$ 4] Due for some luck .
Race 4….Aris Aris [$ 6/ $2] Best of a bevy of Tangerine.
Race 5….Academy Award [$4 /$2] has the draw and track to feature.
Race 7….Novak [ $12/$4 ] should be @ $30/1 ,too bad to be true last start but went via the Cape on turn.
Race 8….Aromatic [ $3 win]….Max your bet then double it !
Race 9….Impresa [ $6 / $2 ] Skinny odds in a tough field but sure to be in the fight throughout…is gutsy !
Good luck leading into the Festive Season !
Gary
