Friday Flash for 13th September
MELODY BELLE – Horse Of The Year– yes she did it – a great honour for this wonderful racemare and a huge thrill for her Ownership Group (37 individuals), not to mention a great vindication for the principle of syndication – i.e where are a large number of people, each outlaying a relatively small amount of money, can be involved in a Champion
Fortuna horses racing this coming week are RONALDO’S DREAM at Ruakaka and METEORIC LASS at Awapuni Saturday 14th, SPORTSCASTER in Singapore and EATONS GOLD in Penang Sunday 15th.
RONALDO’S DREAM was solid on his race day debut at Matamata recently but struggled a bit in the Heavy Track – he gets his chance here in a small field and on a Dead 5 surface at Ruakaka – meets a hot field in this Maiden 3yo event over 1400m – Race 1 – he has ability and can certainly feature in the finish – Opie Bosson to ride – blinkers go on. METEORIC LASS ran a bold race for 2nd at Ruakaka on the 31stAugust – her first run for 9 months – she will be much improved from that, her work has been good and gets a 4kg apprentice allowance in this R72 1300m event at Awapuni – Race 5 – she presents as a strong each way chance and can perform up to that if she handles the Heavy track. SPORTSCASTER– ever consistent, gets his chance in the Class 5 1700 metre event – Race 4 – in Singapore from a good draw and Singapore leading jockey, Vlad Duric in the saddle. Should be hard to beat.
Trackwork This Week
Matamata
Tuesday 10thSept –
Course Proper
Preparing to race at Awapuni on Saturday, Meteoric Lass (T Harris) galloped over 1000 metres, last 400 in 39.6. Ronaldo’s Dream (O Bosson) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.04. final 600 in 36.5.
Thursday 12th–
Course Proper
Due to line up in the $25,000 Rating 72 1300 metres at Awapuni on Saturday, Meteoric Lass (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, running the last 800 in 55.7.
No 2 Sand
No.2 Sand:
Group 1 Tarzino Trophy winner Melody Belle (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.28.5. She is on track to race next in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate (at Hastings on 21 September).
Racing at Ruakaka on Saturday, Ronaldo’s Dream (S Weatherley) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.6 and finished off in 1.13.7.
Starting next at Hastings on 21 September, Burgundy Belle (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.16.
Rhapsody In Blue (S Weatherley) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.13.8, home in 43.
Grand Ariana (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.27.8, final 600 in 43.
Fortuna will also have three starters at Taupo Friday 20th, LEADERBOARD, GRAND ARIANA and RHAPSODY IN BLUE.
Acceptances are not yet finalised of course, but here are some preliminary thoughts on their prospects. LEADERBOARD, a Maiden winner in Ireland (2400m) in October 2018 is an out and out staying type. He has impressed in his two trials in NZ and will give a good showing in this race in a fresh state. The 1300m may be a tad short for him on the tight, turning track, but this horse has some real quality about him.
GRAND ARIANAhas given cause for some had scratching throughout her career, as she gets so far back in the running, but goes to 1800m for the first time here – will strike a reasonable surface and can figure.
We have a lot of time for RHAPSODY IN BLUE– she disappointed slightly at Matamata at her 2ndrace day start, finishing 4thafter being sent out an odds on favourite – this off the back of a very strong winning trial. Heavy 10 track that day may have been the issue – certainly she has trained on well since and will get a better surface at Taupo