No Fortuna runners this weekend, but the 2yo Madame Moet, who trialed very nicely at Te Aroha 16^thDecember, is a chance of making her race day debut in the 2yo race at Ellerslie on Boxing Day – this would be her opportunity to qualify for the Karaka Million 25^th January.

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Thursday 19^th December

Madame Cherie (M Roustoby) worked solo at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, running a time of 1.15, last 600 in 44.5.

KHAFEEF arrives in New Zealand

Our latest European bred acquisition, the 4yo Gelding KHAFEEF (Champs Elysees – Tawaareekharrived at Te Akau Stud Thursday morning after his long flight from the UK and quarantining in Australia for two weeks. An impressive winner of a Maiden event over 2100 metres in France 21^stAugust, this lightly raced (4 starts) staying type is set to emulate the path we have taken with Leaderboard, which is to allow him to acclimatise and adapt to NZ conditions and then work through the grades with an attack on the big staying races in NZ and if good enough, Australia, on the agenda. Arriving light in condition, KHAFEEF will spend a few weeks knee deep in grass at Te Akau Stud outing on weight and acclimatising, before commencing a stable preparation in the capable hands of Jamie Richards

Khafeef

Singapore News

No racing in Singapore until 1 January as they are on a three week recess, however that does not mean that Mark Walker and his team are not busy at it – see news item below from  Singapore Racing News outlet – The New Paper

Walker’s horses off and running

Hat-trick winner Red Rover raced by the Fortuna NZ Stable impressed in his gallop at Kranji yesterday morning. Watch him next season.

“Red Rover” – Wins 3rd time in a row – Singapore 03 November 2019

by Brian Miller

Dec 12, 2019 06:00 am

For trainer Mark Walker, the premiership was all neatly wrapped and delivered long before that last lap.

You could say, Christmas had definitely come early for the three-time champion.

But he’s certainly not going to rest on his laurels.

I reckon his message to his fellow trainers is something like this: If you want it in 2020, you’ve got to fight for it.

Already, at his Kranji training establishment, the wheels are in motion for what could be an even better season than the one just ended.

As with all trainers, life goes on and yesterday morning saw a a whole lot of action on the training track – and that, despite the persistent drizzle that has been drenching Singapore over the last couple of days.

Like it was to be expected, Walker’s horses caught the attention of clockers and three, in particular, stood out.

They were Red Rover, Elite Power and Elite Remarkable.

Red Rover breezed over the 600m in 40.2sec, while the two “Elite” horses – Power and Remarkable – were timed at 37.6 and 41.7 respectively.

If there were to be a “find of the 2019 season”, Red Rover will be right up there.

Five times, beginning in late June, he went to the races. And his last three ended in victories.

After picking up minor money in his first two starts, he quickly shed his maiden status with a dominant win over the 1,000m in August. He went on to complete a hat-trick.

I reckon, Walker will keep him humming along nicely and, when he does get his first run in the new season, you can bet he’ll be on top of his game.

Elite Power is another classy sort who should make an impact in 2020.

He didn’t do anything worth writing home last start but he was a dominant force in the early part of the season.

He’s hardly the finished article and we know that he blossoms early in the year.

Christmas/New Year Special – 7.5% discount

Talking of Singapore – check out the Fortuna Christmas/New Year Special on the two Singapore Two Year Olds, Cassius and Cicero – a massive 7.5% discount off the share price on either or both horses – For example Cassius is NZ$5,000 for a 5% share – with the discount that comes down to $4,625

Cassius

Cicero is NZ$5600 for a 5% share – with discount that comes down to $5,180

CICERO

Shares can be taken right down to 1% and when ordering online HERE enter into the Notes box the words “Please apply the 7.5% discount.”

Both Cassius and Cicero should be up and running in Singapore mid to late March