Two Fortuna runners Saturday 10th October, one in NZ, one in Singapore

With the memory of Melody Belle’s stunning comeback in the Windsor Park Plate last Saturday, fresh in our memories, it is now the turn of our other “Belle” – i.e.  Burgundy Belle,to shine in Black Type company when she tackles the Matamata Cup (Listed – 1400m) for $50,000 this Saturday at her home track (Race 7 @3.53pm). The winner of 4 of her 9 races to date, this lightly raced 5yo never runs a bad race and her resuming run for 2nd at Hastings 19^th September over 1200m was full of quality. Drawn barrier 7 and possessing good natural gate speed, she will be put nicely into the race by leading jockey, Danielle Johnson. Carrying the minimum of 53kgs in this Handicap event, “Lisa” is a strong each way chance in this race.

Burgundy Belle brilliant at Hastings 31st August 2019

In Singapore, Marcus Antonius, a 3yo Gelding by Sepoy, contests the Restricted Maiden 1200m event on the Polytrack (Race 2 5.30pm NZT) for S$75,000. Three unplaced runs in this grade previously, is not the flashest form line, but twice he was badly hampered on jumping and the 3^rd time was beneficiary of a wide draw. Blinker/Pacifiers go on, he jumps from a good barrier (6) in the hands of leading apprentice Simon Kok, who claims 2kgs. Work has been very good, he has had race day experience now from his 3 starts and if he jumps away well from the barriers, he can feature here as an each way chance at odds.

Te Akau Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –  Matamata

Tuesday 6^th October

Burgundy Belle (T Harris) looked good galloping over an easy 1000 metres in 1.08.

Thursday 8th October

Burgundy Belle (T Harris) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.09, last 600 in 39.

Melody Belle (J Kamaruddin) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres, running the final 600 in 43.6.

Other News

The Annual NZTR Horse Of The Year Awards are scheduled for Sunday 11th October – but are being held as a “Virtual” event – Te Akau Racing are holding their own “live” event simultaneously

Yes its true, NZTR, in their wisdom, some five weeks ago, announced that this year’s event would be “crowds free”, citing concerns over Covid-19. This was extremely disappointing to us at Fortuna and David and Karyn Ellis were equally disappointed given Te Akau Racing’s dominance of the nominations in many of the Awards. Not people to let grass grow under their feet, David and Karyn set about organising their own Awards night to be held in the Fosters Lounge at Te Rapa Race Course. Their event will be MC’d by Aidan Rodley and there will be a live link to the virtual ceremony, hosted by George Simon and Kate Gourdie. Melody Belle has been nominated in a number of categories – John and Jessica will be in attendance along with 12 others of the Ownership Group. See below the full list of Categories and nominations in each Category

2019/20 Finalists

For those who are not attending, The Awards will be livestreamed  from the NZTR website (www.nztr.co.nz) on LOVERACING.NZ and Facebook (go to the Love Racing Facebook page) on Sunday 11 October, from 7pm.