Friday Flash – 10th January 2025

Yearling Filly by Russian Revolution out of Artistic Lass

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Headline News

Fortuna Racing quick out of the blocks at the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale – acquiring a beautiful Russian Revolution Filly on Day One
 

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Fortuna has one runner Friday –  in NZ

Tauranga – Friday 10th

INCA BELLE contests the R65 1200 event – race 6 at 3.30pm with Vinnie Colgan to ride from barrier 11. Last two starts have been on this track for a 2nd and a 3rd – wide draw makes it tricky and she will need some luck.  TAB says “consistent this time in  – five runs here for two wins and three placings – wide draw – proven on dry and wet” – showing $10/$3.20

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

No timed Fortuna trackwork this week

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Fortuna Racing quick out of the blocks at the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale – acquiring a beautiful Russian Revolution Filly on Day One
 

With a target of buying a nicely bred Filly at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale and with a good selection/buying strategy in place, John, in conjunction with David Ellis, purchased lot 170 – the Russian Revolution – Artistic Lass Filly for A$100,000 in the afternoon session of Day One of what was a very strong sale day.

Pedigree – by the proven Stallion Russian Revolution – the leading first season stallion in the 2020/21 season and the Sire of 175 winner, including 11 Stakes winners and out of the five time winning racemare Artistic Lass, who is a half sister to the Group Two and Group 3 winners, Sistine Angel and Sistine Demon and who has left two winners in Australia already – this is a strong pedigree page

John says “I love it when we can buy the progeny of proven Australian Stallions within our budget. Russian Revolution was an exceptional racehorse, winning seven times on the track and has already left a number of very good race horses including the Group One Randwick Guineas winner, Communist

Click HERE to see her sales page

Click HERE to see her sales parade

Yearling Filly by Russian Revolution out of Artistic Lass

Mark Walker says “John, Lot 170 from the Magic Millions sale is a beautiful Russian Revolution Filly out of the five time winning Myboycharlie racemare, Artistic Lass – she is a lovely walking Filly, very athletic. I think this Filly will be an early runner and make a really nice two-year-old with the scope to train on to be a good three-year-old – there is some really good two-year-old form in the family – I thought she was particularly good buying at A$100,000 Australian and we are excited to have her joining our stable”

David Ellis says “John, this Russian Revolution Filly caught our attention during inspections, she is an early foal (8th September) of good medium size, very strong, has a lovely free flowing walk, vetted perfectly and is exceptional value at A$100k – once again you have managed to secure a quality Filly within your budget range

She is now registered for the Magic Millions Race Series – this is a Series now worth over A$15m – here are the races she will be eligible to be nominated for at the Magic Million’s Race Days

  • January 2026 – the A$3m Magic Millions Classic for 2yo’s 1200m
  • May 2026  – the A$1m National 2yo Classic 1000m
  • January 2027 – the A$3m Magic Millions Guineas
  • January 2027 – the A$3m 1100m 3yo Sprint 
  • Subsequent years she will be eligible for any of the A$1m races for older horses on the Magic Millions Carnival Day

Note that only horses that have been acquired at a MM Sale and have been enrolled for the Race Series are eligible to be nominated for these races

Of course, given the prizemoney on offer, all of these races are well sought after and all runners that wish to accept are graded by ratings points

I have done the numbers and here is how they work out –

Initial Capital includes Purchase Price, NZ GST on entry to NZ, Promoters Fees, Insurance to 31 Jan 2026, Magic Millions Race Series Fee, Airfreight to NZ and working capital of over $13k

10% share $18,600, 5% share $9,300, 2.5% share $4,650, 1% share $1,860 with ongoing costs from 1 April 2024 @$50 per month per each 1% share

Paperwork will be finalised over the next few days but we are taking expressions of interest and now is your chance to “express interest” in this filly and if you do, you will be guaranteed a share  – simply register interest by responding to this update via the link HERE  advising the percentage that you would like to put your hand up for – or simply email me direct or call/text 021 921 460

This Filly will travel back to New Zealand in the coming week and enjoy 8 weeks or so in the paddock ahead of being broken in

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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Des is back this week – see below

Greetings John and the Fortuna readers

The rich racing continues at Trentham following Grail Seeker’s brilliant win in the TAB Telegraph last Saturday. We have 4 black type races to look forward to this weekend including the Trentham Stakes, the Levin Classic , the Wellesley Stakes and the Thorndon Mile with almost $1.5million in stakes to be shared.
It should be a great day and I’m looking forward to it.
Outside the black type races the under card holds special significance too with a few two year olds hoping to climb the stakes ladder to qualify for the Karaka Million and the there are several horses competing with a hope of making it into the $350,000 Remutaka Classic on Cup Day on Saturday week.

My three to follow on Saturday at Trentham are:

Tardelli, Levin Classic

On paper he shouldn’t beat Savaglee but then again this last start maiden graduate should not be overlooked and represents an option in the exotic bet arena.
After a stylish trial he was expected to outclass the maidens at Matamata and he narrowly but comfortably got the job done.
If you look through his three starts in Sydney he was quite superb with close up finishes behind some serious black type spring performers. For instance he was less than 4 lengths behind the subsequent group one Coolmore winner, Switzerland.
I’ll certainly be working on the exotic bets around Savaglee and Tardelli.

To Cap It All, race 4

What he lacks in race day experience he makes up for it in professionalism. He went as straight as a die in the trial win in a quick time at Counties recently.
He’s up against some tried and true experience but I’ll be keeping a close watch on this $A260,000 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale purchase.

Thorndon mile – Pearl of Alsace

She’s a classy mare with two group one placings to her name.
I liked the way she trialled the other day at Tauranga and she is certainly a chance to get some of the money at good odds against a hot field of milers on Saturday.
Her run in the TAB Mufhasa Classic wasn’t bad. She was the 4th quickest to the line in running 6th on a good track. There’ll be a bit more moisture at Trentham on Saturday and that will suit her.

Let’s also not forget she’s won three 1600m races at Trentham including the Cuddle Stakes.
In fact this is her favourite distance with 5 of her 7 wins coming at 1600m. Her  group 2 placing in November at Tauranga when she beat Ladies Man and race rival Mali Ston is a solid recommendation also that she’s as good as ever. Top rider Michael McNab is back on board and he has 2 wins out of 3 on her.
I suppose the main niggle is the draw but if she gets cover I see no reason why she can’t be a player. I’m sure the way McNab is riding that will be his first task to work out as soon as she jumps from the barrier where to position her.
My Race Tipping Exclusive :
The form analysis is paying off for exotic bet followers. Since last Saturday at Trentham 96 horses have been tipped through this busy week and we’ve had 22 wins and 45 placings.
My top two tips and value and best bet at each meetings with precise reasoning is available to all and sundry via an email to: dcoppins @xtra.co.nz
for just $150 gst inclusive starting this Saturday and running all the way through to February 28. That’s a total of 39 meetings ( average cost per race day is only $3.80).
I’d love to hear from you at anytime from now until 9am on Saturday.

Good punting!

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Happy New Year to all of our readers and may 2025 bring you much joy, happiness, prosperity and of course many winners – see below the annual Galvin Family – Christmas Day photo – as you will see, I am under serious height threat from our 14 year old James and I estimate that in another 12 months Jessica may well be the shortest in the family