Summer Thoroughbred Stakes Boost – an additional $2.2m across 13 Group One Races and a further $2.185m over selected Group 2, Group 3 and other feature races
 

Hardly a week goes by where we don’t seem to be receiving additional good news and here is the latest – looking through this list of races it’s quite incredible how prize money has increased at the elite level – looking at one race in particular, the Bonecrusher Stakes, we won that twice with Melody Belle, firstly in 2019 and then in 2021 and the prize money for the race on those two occasions was $200,000 and now in 2025 prize money of $1 million will be on offer for this prestigious race

Spotlight: Summer thoroughbred racing boost The 2024-25 summer racing period promises to be the biggest and brightest we’ve seen in New Zealand racing. With boosts to feature racing across the summer, through to Champions Day at Ellerslie on 8 March and the key autumn features, there’s never been a better time to be chasing Group, Listed and heritage glory. We’ve summarised the boosts to the Group 1 races below – along with a nod to The NZB Kiwi – and a breakdown of the other feature racing boosts across Group 2, Group 3, Listed, Heritage and Pattern Upgrade races are available HERE.

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Race Day abandonments – time for a programming rethink?

Mark Walker was being interviewed by Guy Heveldt on the radio last Saturday and was asked his opinion about the race day abandonments which had seen four race meetings over the previous few days called off including two on the Saturday – Mark’s response was “it’s not rocket science – simply program more racing during July on synthetic tracks – that’s what they are designed for” – and of course he is absolutely right. There is no question that the synthetic tracks have been a great boost to our racing program but, in the main, they have been confined to midweek industry days and given the importance of Saturday racing in particular on betting turnover it is certainly time that the powers that be give serious consideration to programming some winter racing meetings both on Saturdays and also mid week to the Synthetic tracks

Obviously the jumpinmg program needs to be taken into consideration as it’s not possible to schedule jumping races for the synthetic but there are plenty of other race days without jumps racing, particularly during July that could easily be scheduled to one of the three Synthetic tracks in New Zealand

Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Good morning John and the Fortuna team

Firstly thanks to those who took up the offer to buy into my email service as we lead into the next three months with a better quality of racing and hopefully with  less abandonments!!
The offer continues with an immediate start ( from today) with my best bet and value bet along with race by race top tier tips before 9am each Nz race day.
The cost is $240 ( gst incl) taking you from now until October 31.
(Some great racing you’d think over this period).
Email me if you wish to proceed dcoppins@xtra.co.nz

Patience paid off for us in the column last week with a win, Martell ( Rotorua – from Saturday to Thursday) and a placing and a scratching.

My three to follow on Saturday are:

1. Rhythm ‘N’ Spice, r5 Otaki

The Ryder Stakes is the last stakes race of the season and I’m keen on this filly to do the business.
Her last start at Hastings was solid as she was tightened near the 150m when trying to angle through. I liked her first up run as well when she finished less than one length from the winner after sitting in the breeze while sharing second berth for much of the race. She’s a half sister to the quality mare and mudder, Poser.
When writing this I glanced at the odds and noticed $10 on the win surge.

2. The Mistress, race 6, Otaki

She almost looks the bet of the day at this venue.
She toughed it out in impressive fashion at Trentham a fortnight ago and I see she holds a nomination for the Winter Cup at Riccarton and this could be the ideal launching pad for the big one.

3. Oppenheimer, race 1, Te Rapa

I didn’t mind its first and only run in a better field on debut at Ruakaka. I thought he held his ground well finishing alongside a subsequent winner Tide and Time and just in front of Sterling Express who backed up next up with  a second placing !
The odds will be very tasty!

Have a good weekend folks!