Friday Flash 29th January
Fortuna has five runners in Singapore this Saturday 30th January with the possibility of a 6th and one runner at Trentham the same day
Singapore
Marcus Antonius runs in the restricted maiden 1400m on the Turf (Race 2) and has drawn the number one barrier – this three-year-old is proving to be somewhat of an enigma in Singapore working well on the track but failing to produce on race day – he has had some gear changes and a change in his working pattern and connections are looking for an improved performance with senior rider J P Van der Merwe aboard. Will need to show big improvement to feature
Showbound contests the Maiden 1200m event on the Turf (Race 4) and will be ridden by Benny Woodworth from Barrier 11. Backing up from a solid third placing same trip last week he has a difficult draw here to contend with but if he gets the right run can feature in the money
Here is how the Singapore Turf Club tipsters see this race;
1st Pick: IMA (2)
Steven Burridge could well hold the key to this race and the selection is one of his newcomers to Kranji in the shape of Ima. Placed over this distance in Australia, he has trialled well and looks ready.
2nd Pick: SAGE (1)
Stablemate of the selection. Has also trialled well and has sound place form in New Zealand from only a handful of runs. One of the more interesting runners here.
3rd Pick: SHOWBOUND (3)
Third only last week and can run well again.
4th Pick: ST ALWYN (5)
Has proven rather unreliable but has bits and pieces of form and Vlad Duric is booked.
Sportscaster runs in the class five 1700m event on the Poly (Race 7) and draws the ace barrier. Kept to sprint trips over recent starts, he is rockhard fit and gets back to his favourite distance – he also gets the benefit of jockey Jerlyn Seow’s 4kg claim. Likes to lead and if he gets a soft run here, he could be hard to run down particularly with the claim – could be at generous odds
Hidden Promise also runs in the class five 1700m event on the Poly (Race 7) but has a more difficult barrier draw at 10. Also gets a claim of 3kgs courtesy of leading apprentice K Hakim. Will love this trip, will need to go back from the draw. He is a 6 win horse in Singapore in a relatively weak field and does represent an excellent chance here to run in the money if he can get past the stable mate in the closing stages
Here is how the Singapore Turf Club tipsters see this race;
1st Pick: TSURIAN (11)
Caught the eye last time out and can go a couple of placings better here.
2nd Pick: HIDDEN PROMISE (3)
The extra distance is a big help and can go very close in a competitive heat.
3rd Pick: ZOFFSPEED (7)
The only last-start winner in the field and commands plenty of respect.
4th Pick: FORT MUSTANG (9)
Has to prove he stays but is trained by the right man to do so. Interesting.
Brutus, who has been an ultra consistent performer in Singapore during his short career there, gets his chance to shine in the class 4 1200 event on the Poly (Race 8). Has to jump from barrier 10 but has Benny Woodworth in the saddle and is well suited at the white scale in this event. Is a genuine top three contender in this race if he gets some luck from the draw
Entertainer, a last start winner, contests the class 4 1100m event on the Poly (Race 10) but has come up with Ballot 1 and needs a scratching to get a start- if he does get a start he has a tricky barrier (10) to contend with – if he gets the right run, is a good each way chance
Trentham
Dual horse of the year Melody Belle resumes racing in the Group One Thorndon mile at Trentham tomorrow – if she is able to win this race she will equal the mighty Sunlin’s record of 13 group one wins – her preparation has been perfect and she is ready to run a mighty race in a small field of eight runners – Opie Bosson takes the mount from Barrier 1. The $1.55 price on TAB Fixed Odds says it all
Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata
Tuesday 19th January
Melody Belle (O Bosson) galloped very nicely over 1200 metres in 1.16, home in 35.8.
Leaderboard (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.8, home in 45.1.
Ragamuffin (S Parmar) galloped over an easy 600 metres in 39.5.
Thursday 28th January
Melody Belle (O Bosson) looked great galloping over an easy 1200 metres in 1.26, home in 41.
Leaderboard (S Parmar) galloped nicely over 1000 metres in 1.08, home in 39.
OTHER NEWS
Fortuna secures an outstanding Filly by International Stallion Iffraaj at Karaka Yearling Sale
Details
Sire – Iffraaj – A Highly successful International Shuttle Stallion – sire of close to 900 winners including 73 Stakes winners – Sire of Gingernuts, Jon Snow, Turn Me Loose and Wyndspelle
Dam – Ma Belle Ami, a three time winning mare by Commands, she was a winner as a Two Year Old – she is the dam of three foals to race including two that have qualified for the Karaka Million in 2020 and 2021, Tivaan Warrior and Seven Twenty. This is the family of Sheezallmine, the winner of six races, all at 1200 metres
IFFRAAJ- MA BELLE AMI Yearling Filly
Shares now available at $6600 per 5% share – this includes horse purchase price, GST, Karaka Million entry fee, Promoters fees, Insurance to January 2022 and working capital – shares are available right down to 1%. Ongoing costs commence 1 April at $200 per month per 5% share ($40 per month per 1% share)
Contact John Galvin HERE by email or call/txt 021 921 460 to secure your share