Fortuna week ending 11th October in review

A solid week of performances by Fortuna runners. At Taupo on Wednesday, there was a lot of interest in the debut run of  3yo Filly, ITS OUR SHOWTIME (Showcasing-Be Inspired), who tackled the 1000 metre sprint without the benefit of having ever been to the trials. From the Ace draw, we were expecting a bold run, but she did race a bit greenly and gave up some ground when trying to go straight ahead at the first bend instead of around it, but regathered and came home strongly to finish 1 nice 3rd; she seems to be a filly with a lot of ability.

Also at Taupo, we saw the 2nd race day effort of 4yo mare, OUR DRAHMA QUEEN (Darci Brahma-Queen Cha Cha). A tad disappointing when favourite on debut at Matamata, but striking better track conditions this time, she was pushed wide on the one turn, but once balanced, rattled home strongly for 3rd placing; 1400 metres next time will be right up her alley.

Saturday at Matamata saw last start winner HIGHLY LIKELY, the 5yo gelding by High Chaparral, contest the rating 75 2000 metre event on an eight day backup. Employing the same front running tactics that he had used to effect when winning at Te Rapa, he had the race won everywhere but the last two strides, going down by a neck. A genuine one paced staying type, he is still maturing and the further ho goes, the better he will get.

Singapore on Sunday saw 4to Mare SECRET SPICE (Sahkees Secret-Caparison) attempt to break a sequence of four race day seconds in a row by winning, however despite a nice run on the rails in transit, rider Manoel Nunes could not find a split for her between runners in the straight and she finished in 7th place, just 2.3 lengths from the winner. She will back up over 1600 metre this coming Sunday 18th October. In the nest race anticipation was high for the debut run of the very promising 3yo Filly, LADY IFFRAAJ ( Iffraaj-Naturo). She had shown a lot in her trackwork and trials and was primed to run a big race from the ace draw. Worked up a bit before the race, she missed the jump slightly in the 1000 metre event and finished up racing further back in the field than was ideal, but nevertheless, showed a great turn of foot to finish the race off strongly in 2nd place, an excellent debut effort.

At the Te Teko trials on Monday, the talented 5yo Gelding SIR DARCI (Darci Brahma-Dominant), a four time race day winner,  put on a lovely display, racing on the speed and drawing away to win his trial by two lengths, He will head to the races very shortly.