Headline News
Two Fortuna rising 3yo’s, BELLATRIX STAR and OUR PARAMOUR, are heading to Cranbourne to be prepared for Victorian Spring RacingMELODY BELLE’S first Yearling has been given to Mark Walker to train from Te Akau’s Cranbourne base
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Fortuna has three runners on the Riccarton Synthetic Friday 12th JulyMITRE PEAK contests the 3yo SW&P 1400m event – Race 3 @ 12.38pm with Niranjan Parmar to ride from Barrier 6 – last three starts on the synthetic have resulted in a 4th, a win and a 3rd –
racing in great form represents a strong each way chance here – TAB says “course proven and has raced well and four of five starts this time in – include everywhere” – showing $4.80/$1.55
HAYATE races in the Rating 65 1600m event – Race 3 @ 12.38pm with Niranjan Parmar to ride from Barrier 3 – was very good this track 13th June when finishing 2nd, but was awkwardly away this trip and track 27th June and was unable to feature in the finish. racing in good form and represents a very good each way chance here from a good draw and a talented rider who knows her well aboard – TAB says “Dual winning rider atop here – twice a synthetic track winner” – showing $5.50/$2.25
ANGELS WINGS contests the Rating 65 1200m event – Race 8 @ 3.27pm with Niranjan Parmar to ride from Barrier 3 – ran a close 2nd 12th June but then disappointed this trip and track 27th June after being forced to race up on the speed off a wide draw – drawn wide again, but will be ridden more patiently this time and with some luck in running can feature – TAB says “Twice placed her – top tier must” – showing $5/$2.05
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Matamata Trackwork – Fortuna runners
Tuesday 9th July
RiccartonHayate (J Laking) and Mitre Peak (A Handley) worked over 1200 metres in 1.26.7, home in 38.32.
Angels Wings (J Laking) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.06.24, home in 37.95.
Singapore Trackwork
Saturday 6th July
ELLIOT NESS(AWAH)600-40; ROCKY(YUSOFF)800/600-39;
Tuesday 2nd July
ELLIOT NESS(AWAH)600-41;
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OTHER NEWS
Two Fortuna rising 3yo’s, BELLATRIX STAR and OUR PARAMOUR are heading to Cranbourne to be prepared for Victorian Spring Racing
BELLATRIX STAR had a strong two-year-old season in New Zealand producing two wins, a second, a third and a fourth (Karaka Million) from five starts with one of thos wins coming in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day, beating subsequent group one winners Velocious and Move To Strike in the process. She then ran 4th in the Karaka Million, but developed a shin splint which saw her not race again as a two year old, however a strong trial at Te Awamutu last week off the back of a very positive stable preparation have encouraged her connections to pursue trans Tasman riches – Bellatrix Star shapes as an out and out sprinter and given that there are limited black type opportunities for sprinting types as three-year-olds in New Zealand – this in stark comparison to what is on offer across the Tasman, she will pursue her immediate racing career over there – her first race is programmed to be the Group 3 Quezette Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield August 16th
OUR PARAMOUR is quite a different proposition altogether in that she has yet to make her race day debut however two very strong trials performances in the autumn stamped her as a type who would definitely favour longer distances – spelled subsequently she has matured and developed into a strong autumn two year-old and the plan for this daughter of Contributor is to endeavour to qualify her for the VRC oaks over 2500 m at Flemington during cup week. She will go to the jumouts at Cranbourne late July/early August ahead of making her race day debut
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MELODY BELLE’S first Yearling has been given to Mark Walker to train from Te Akau’s Cranbourne base
In what is undoubtedly a major coup for Team Te Akau, Yulong has given Melody Belle’s first Yearling, the Filly by Written Tycoon, to Mark Walker to train from Te Akau’s Cranbourne base – this Filly was offered by Yulong at the Inglis Easter sale but was passed in for $700,000 and Yulong have obviously decided to retain her and race it themselves
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Des Coppins – Guest Selector
Greetings John and the Fortuna Team
I had 12 winners from the 18 races from the two meetings last Saturday on my email tipping service so it’d be fair to say I zigged when I should have zagged for the three to follow for your readers.
Mind you we did have a scratching and I’m inclined to think Amazing Grace, who ran up to win after entering the home straight, only petered out over the last 150m and I’ll be on her case next time. The other selection Librarsi clearly needs it wetter and won’t lack opportunities in the weeks ahead.
Let’s turn the page and have a look at three prospects for Saturday.
Turn the Ace, race 4 at Ruakaka
He has a great chance to take up his customary pace making role and lead all over 1400 on Saturday.
Visiting South African apprentice Sima Mxothwa takes the reins with a 4kgs claim bringing the weight down to a manageable 57.5kgs.
Lest we forget he won the 3yo version of this race two years ago to the day by a comfortable margin – his only run on the track.
It’s a handy field but with his early pace he will surely give us a great sight!
Malfy Rosa, race 6 Ruakaka
She did things wrong last time in that she over raced when restrained back in the field. The pace wasn’t solid and that hardly suited her.
The stable has always rated her and that’s why she has competed in races like the NZ Oaks and the NZ Cup.
I thought her second up run on this track was solid and her fitness levels should just about be spot on for a bold run.
Blinkers go back on and she won with them on the track last September over 2200m.
Afterallthistime r7 Trentham
Wellington Steeples
If the mighty jumper The Cossack is beaten – to be honest for the sake of the game I hope he masters the 73kgs as he is simply a revelation- it’ll be Afterallthistime as the spoiler on my assessment.
Trainer Kevin Myers has played his cards right with his promising chaser with a mixture of flat and jumps races right from the word go.
This relative newcomer to the jumps game won on debut over fences at Riccarton last winter. He’s had 5 jumps races since for two wins and 3 placings including an open chase win at Hawera.
I’ll be playing the quinella with the champ as a definite saver and that probably is the best option overall.
Good punting!
Des
