Friday Flash 6th September 2019

Published 6 September 2019

MELODY BELLE soars to a career best rating of 114 after her 7th Group One Victory in the Tarzino Trophy – to put that in perspective, the next highest rated horse in NZ is Bostonian at 108 – 6 points or 3kgs below Melody Belle

Talking of Melody Belle, click HERE to see her footage of her being sold at Karaka Premier Sale 2016

Tarzino Trophy Day – Hastings 31 August

Before The race  – The Three Wise Men – can she or can’t she?
After the Race – Of course she can
That winning feeling
Celebration time

Richards climbs world trainer rankings

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards has become the highest ranked (21st) New Zealand trainer in the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary Global Rankings, following the Tarzino Trophy win by Melody Belle. Akin to the ATP tennis tour rankings, or PGA Golf Tour rankings, the TRC Trainer Rankings are the measure of achievement over a rolling three-year period, based not on prize money but the quality of performances by their horses in Group and Graded races. Racing Post Ratings (RPRs) are used to help calculate the merit of every performance. Broadcaster and jockey agent Aiden Rodley said: “It could be the highest any New Zealander has got in the trainer rankings, or at least anyone training out of New Zealand has got.

Fortuna Matamata Trackwork – Week ending Friday 6th September

Tuesday 3rd September – Leaderboard (M McNab) also worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14, home in 45.3

Thursday 5th September – Preparing to make his NZ raceday debut soon, Leaderboard (M McNab)  galloped over an easy 1000 metres, last 600 in 41.5. Ronaldo’s Dream (D Montes de Oca)) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, last 600 in 45.

Fortuna Runners Coming Up

Runners this weekend for Fortuna are HIDDEN PROMISE (race 1) and SPOKESMAN (Race 4) in Singapore on Sunday 8th. HIDDEN PROMISE is in great form, was very unlucky last start after getting held up for a couple of strides in the run home, has to overcome an outside draw, but if he jumps well and races on the speed, he will be strong winning chance. SPOKESMAN, in great form winning his last race by 6 lengths, also has to overcome an outside draw, but as with Hidden Promise, he will be ridden positively out of the gates and is a strong each way chance if he can make the lead.

Upcoming Fortuna trialists

Avondale Tuesday 10th sees RED JAKKAL trial for the second time this preparation.

NZ Thoroughbred Racing Horse of The Year Awards 

Ellerslie Function Centre Sunday 8th September

Melody Belle has been nominated in two categories, Champion Sprinter/Miler  and Champion Middle Distance  and is an odds on favourite to collect the supreme Horse Of The Year title – can she do it?

A group of 50 people comprising Syndicate Members plus family and friends will be dressed up in their finery at this glittering affair, hoping that she can