Shares filling quickly in our recent Ready To Run purchase

Secondary Market shares available in three Fortuna runners
 

Fortuna has five runners Friday and Saturday  – two at Riccarton Friday and four in Singapore Saturday
 
Friday – Riccarton

SAILING AWAY – a 3yo Gelding by Merchant Navy, makes his race day debut on the Riccarton Synthetic – Friday 8^thDecember – Race 1 @ 2.47 with Lisa Allpress to ride from a good barrier. A slow maturer, his earlier trials were average but blinkers on last trial saw a better performance. Market is cautious @ $10/$3.30

ANGELS WINGS – resumes after a decent paddock spell after a winning performance Awapuni synthetic 27^th July – she is in the R65 1200 – Race 8 @ 6. 59 with Warren Kennedy aboard from a good barrier. Has raced consistently throughout her 11 race career, trialed nicely for a 3^rd placing 13^th November – has a good level of ability, loves the synthetic and is a top 3 chance here @ $4.20/$1.80

Saturday – Singapore 

PRINCE LONHRO races in the Open Maiden 1200m Turf – Race 2 @ 12.30 Sing time (5.30pm NZT) and will be ridden by Stable Apprentice Yusoff, claiming 2kgs,  from the outside barrier. A strong trials and solid race day performer (from 2 starts) in NZ before heading to Singapore, he made his debut there 1100m Poly 25^th Nov, was severely check at the start in a race that was run very quickly, but was strong to the line for 4^th placing – a classy type, he will appreciate the Turf and can run into the money here, but will need some luck from the draw.

Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race

1st Pick: ROYAL COMMISSION (8)
Last years dominant combination of Nunes and Fitzsimmons rejoin forces here for the first time in quite a while. Trialed nicely in moderate time showing a good turn of foot recently and finds a nice race here.
2nd Pick: STAR NORTH (3)
Should improve second up with blinkers on that he wore to a fifth placing trial recently. His maiden form earlier in the year is very strong and looks a key player.
3rd Pick: JULY (11)
Draws well down in the weights and is first up since August with three trials under the belt for our leading stable. Should get plenty of market support.
4th Pick: PRINCE LONHRO (1)
Severely checked after the start in a race where the leaders clocked a very quick 23.30 which is absolutely flying. He was off the bit the whole way and hit the line well. Will need luck from a wide draw.

GUN contests the Open Maiden 1200 Turf – Race 4 @ Race 4 @ 1.30 Sing time (6.30pm NZT) and will be ridden by Stable Apprentice S Jamil, claiming 2kgs, from a good  barrier draw. A solid 2^nd placing on debut behind a talented galloper was followed by a disappointing result when tried on the Poly. Back on the Turf, lovely draw, carries 51.5kgs with the claim – is right in this and can win

Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race

1st Pick: GUN (5)
He will carry next to no weight after the claim for Jamil as he looked to resent the kick back on the Polytrack last start. His last start on the turf was strong behind a very good horse in Kungfu Hero.
2nd Pick: SURFING CLOUD (8)
On the quick backup after having no luck down the straight being held up for the better part of the last 300m. If he handles the backup and finds clear ground can go well.
3rd Pick: LIM’S SARAMATI (1)
Gets the blinkers added for the first time for the strong Meagher and Lerner combination who are striking at 23.1% from their last 39 runners. Should show plenty of improvement.
4th Pick: OCTOBER (6)
Comes out of the same race Gun competed in back in October finishing third. Caught the eye winning a trial in 60.27 and should be there in the finish.

ROCKY races in the Class 4 1600m Turf – Race 6 @ 2.30 Sing time (7.30pm NZT) and will be ridden by Stable Apprentice Jamil, claiming 2kgs,  from a good barrier. A three time winner in Singapore, he has raced mainly on the Poly but has run well this trip and surface when tried. Appreciates being ridden patiently and with the right run can feature here

KNIPPENBERG races in the Class 3 1200m Turf – Race 10 @ 4.30 Sing time (9.30pm NZT) and will be ridden by Stable Apprentice Yusoff, claiming 2kgs, from a good  barrier. Luck deserted him in a big way his last two starts, but his nine previous starts had brought him 3 wins and 3 seconds, with all three of his wins coming on the Turf (Long course) and the 1200m trip. Gets the long course here again, has a dream draw and carries just 53kgs. Does meet a very strong field here, but represents a good top 3 chance

Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race

1st Pick: CITY GOLD STAR (4)
Nunes has ridden a few of the fancies in their recent starts and throws his leg over this David Kok trained runner who was a winner two starts back beating Dream Alliance who finished second in the Gold Cup. Draw not the best but can present here.
2nd Pick: KNIPPENBERG (8)
His career best performances have all come at this distance on the Long Course. Gets the advantage of a nice barrier to position up early and can bounce back in a big way here.
3rd Pick: ASIF (2)
Racing in very nice form over his last five starts that have recorded two wins and two placings. After Seows claim he will carry 54.5kgs. Scratched at his most recent start where he was a key chance.
4th Pick: MT NISEKO (13)
Eligible for class four off a rating of 67 but being thrown in here up in class but down in weight could be a smart move from the trainer. Will need to dig deep to win but has some favors.

Matamata Trackwork

No timed Fortuna trackwork this week

Singapore Trackwork 

Saturday 2nd December

TRIDENT (AWAH)1000/600-39; RHETT BUTLER (IBRHIM)1000/600-39; 38; GUN (YUSOFF)1000/600-38; KINPPENBERG (ALSM)1000/600-38;  KING ARTHUR (YUSOFF)1000/600-38; ELLIOT NESS (YUSOFF)800/600-38.5; ROCKY (YUSOFF)1000/600-38; PRINCE LONHRO (YUSOFF)1000/600-37;

Tuesday 5th December

KNIPPENBERG (AWAH)800/600-40; GUN (YUSOFF)800/600-40;

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OTHER NEWS

Shares filling quickly in our 2023 Ready To Run purchase – the Contributor – Victory Parade Filly – $1240 for each 1% share – just 18% left!!!

The Two Year Old Filly by Contributor out of Victory Parade – Stable Name “Kylie”
Middle Distance/Staying type 

Lot 295– the Two Year Old Filly by the proven Stallion CONTRIBUTOR out of VICTORY PARADE (By Street Sense) has been acquired by the David Ellis/Fortuna Racing combination from the 2023 NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale – this after the Te Akau Selection Team of David Ellis, Mark Walker and Marcus Corban had conducted their normal thorough pre sale inspections

Mark Walker, when doing his usual pre sale Video clip inspections, had identified this Filly as a “genuine middle distance/staying type”

Pedigree
This Filly, who has been given the stable name “Kylie” is the beneficiary of  a strong  pedigree. Her Sire, Contributor was a top class racehorse in the UK and Australia, winning 8 times from 18 starts, at trips from 1400  to 2000m – he won four times at  Group level, including two Group One victories in Australia. He is the Sire of 121 runners, of which 84 are winners, including 8 Stakes winners.

“Kylie’s” Dam is Victory Parade, a daughter of  Street Sense. She won twice in Australia and is the dam of one foal to race, Smokeshow, who has won three trials and run 2^nd in each of his two raceday starts – Click HERE to view  pedigree

Physical type
A powerful, athletic Filly of good size, standing at 16.1 hands high and tipping the scales at 500kgs, she is physically correct, has a lovely temperament, has a strong athletic walk and passed her pre sale Vet exam without issue – Click HERE to her parading  Pre Sale

Syndicator’s view (John Galvin)

“I had asked David Ellis and Mark Walker to select a staying type Two Year Old Filly out of this sale – one with a strong pedigree page but which also met our criteria for type. Their inspections threw up two or three that met the overall criteria, but this Filly was their preferred option and we were lucky enough to secure her below our budget. Contributor is fashioning a great record as a Sire of staying types and this Filly really does fit the bill. Standing over 16 hands high and weighing 500kgs, she is a great physical specimen.”

”Trainer’s view (Mark Walker)

“Asked by John Galvin to find a nice staying type, this Filly really caught my eye when David Ellis and I conducted our  inspections – a  lovely moving Filly of good size, her breeze up gallop demonstrated a strong powerful action – she paraded very well at inspections and has the physical characteristics to develop into a lovely staying type as a Three Year Old and beyond”

Click HERE to see her Breeze Up Gallop

Selectors view (David Ellis)

“We thought this Filly by Contributor was a beautiful moving Filly with a lot of class – she presented as a good strong,  very sound type and we were thrilled to buy her for what I thought was great value for money”

Ongoing Preparation
“Kylie” is now spelling at Te Akau Stud in the Waikato ahead of prepared for racing at Matamata by Ten time Premiership winning Trainer, Mark Walker in conjunction with co-Trainer, Sam Bergerson of Te Akau Racing Stables – this preparation will commence around 12^th December and will include jumpouts and trials in the late summer/autumn of 2024 – during this initial preparation Mark and Sam will be constantly assessing her and will make a decision whether she can make her race day debut as an Autumn 2yo or whether she can be put aside until her 3yo season, which commences 1 August 2024

Terms

• Shares available right down to 1%.
• 10% share $12,400– 5% share  $6,200 – 2.5% share $3,100 – 1% share $1,240

Share price includes all Initial Costs (Purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Insurance through to 31st January 2025, and Working Capital of over $8,000

• Monthly ongoing costs from 1^st January 2024 – from that date ongoing costs are – 10% share $440 per month – 5% share $220 per month – 2.5% share $110 per month – 1% share $44 per month.
• Monthly ongoing costs can alternatively be paid up to 12 months in advance as an option for subscribers by Bank Payment or Credit Card

Shares can be ordered online at the link HERE – email john@fortuna-nz.com  if you require info or assistance

Headline News

Fortuna 3yo Filly VIVACIOUS breaks Maidens at Te Aroha 29^th November in a classy performance – will now head to the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes at Trentham 16^th December
 
Date Change for our Owners Day – now 17^th December
 
Shares filling quickly in our recent Ready To Run purchase
 
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Fortuna has 3 runners in two jurisdictions Friday, Saturday and Sunday
 
Mornington – Victoria – Friday 1^st December

BEAU GESTE contests the BM 58 2400m event at Mornington – Race 6 @6.10pm NZT and will be ridden by Liam Riordan from a mid field barrier. Has not been disgraced in his two Aus starts to date in higher rated company than what he meets today. Some rain about which he will appreciate – he is back in trip here however. Will find this a tad easier and is a chance of running into the money  at odds of $21/$5

Wanganui – Saturday 2^nd

INCA BELLE  races in the R65 1200m event – Race 2 @ 12.40 pm with Jonathan Parkes to ride from a mid field barrier – just missed when resuming this grade and trip Te Rapa 11^th November – strung three wins in a row this time last year – good each way chance here at $4.80/$2

Warrnambool – Sunday 3^rd – Jericho Cup Day

RUBICON CROSSING contests the BM 70 1000m  – Race 7 @ 6.10pm NZT – has run two strong races this trip and grade at The Valley last two starts after a dominant winning performance on her Aus debut at Mornington 30^th September – will find this a bit easier and could be hard to beat – no odds yet but described by bookmaker Neds as “Leading contender”

(Note by the way that the Te Akau 5yo Prismatic, last seen running 5th in the NZ Cup, is 4th fave for the Jericho Cup – race 8 on Sunday)

Matamata Trackwork

Inca Belle (T Melvin) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.04.6, home in 37.2.

Singapore Trackwork 

Friday 24^th November
GUN (RONNIE STEWART)1000/600-39.9;

Saturday 25^th November
KING ARTHUR (YUSOFF)1000/600-38.2; RHETT BUTLER (JAMIL)1000/600-41.5;

Fortuna Racing’s Three Year Old Filly, VIVACIOUS, records her Maiden win – Te Aroha 29th November

VIVACIOUS (3yo Filly Dundeel – Vivi Veloce, by More Than Ready) broke through at her second start in the $25,000 J Swap Maiden 3YO 1400 metres on 29 November at Te Aroha. After drawing clear to win easily at the trials on 10 October at Matamata, VIVACIOUS found the line for third when debuting in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 3 November at Te Aroha, and took the necessary improvement to prevail in good fashion at her second race day outing.  Ridden positively from an awkward draw (9) by Opie Bosson, she slotted into a trailing position at the 800m, travelled up sweetly nearing the home turn, and after changing ground a couple of times in the straight, she surged through to score.

“We got held up a little bit in the straight, but I was always confident I was going to gather in the leader and she’s a nice filly on the way up,” Bosson said. “I just rode her hands and heels over the final stages and she did it pretty easily.”

Click HERE to see the race replay

Vivacious records her 1st Win – Te Aroha 29th November 2023 – Opie Bosson aboard

On Soft5 footing, that was soon upgraded to Good4 and drew compliments from the jockeys, VIVACIOUS, who is known around the stable as “Tui”, ran 1400 metres in 1:24.0, last 600m in 35.3, and held firm in betting to pay $4.60 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

“She didn’t get all favours up the straight, but it was a nice effort to win, albeit narrowly, and Opie rode a very confident race,” said co-trainer Mark Walker. “I loved the way Opie used her early to get a handy position, but then she came back to him and relaxed well and quickened up very nicely at the end of the race. We’ve thought for some time that she’s a nice staying filly in the making and the further she goes the better she’s going to get. We are eying some black type assignments for her and a very nice filly that Dave (Ellis) and John (Galvin) picked up quite cheaply at the 2022 NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.”

A quietly contented Opie Bosson, brings VIVACIOUS back to scale

Owned by the Fortuna Vivacious Syndicate (Manager John Galvin), she was purchased for $60,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM and Fortuna Racing at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of Riverrock Farm and is raced by an Ownership Group comprising 55 individuals from New Zealand and Hong Kong

Fortuna Racing’s John Galvin was on track along with a good number of the Ownership group to support their promising Filly. “We’ve had a frustrating run of seconds and thirds throughout November with the Fortuna runners and it’s nice to get a win with this lovely filly. And its great to get this win at Te Aroha. We need Te Aroha racecourse and it’s wonderful to be back racing here on their newly renovated track after a few hiccoughs and delays,” he said. “It’s such a wonderful race track and every horse gets its chance. A big thanks to race sponsors, Swaps, who have sponsored racing for a long, long, time and worked with the club to do the track renovation. 

“It was a stylish win by VIVACIOUS today, a filly by Dundeel out of a mare by More Than Ready – that’s  a lovely pedigree, picked out of the 2022 Ready to Run Sale for us by David (Ellis) and Mark (Walker) and I’m still shaking my head as to how we bought her for $60,000. She was beautifully handled by Opie (Bosson) who gave her a very positive and confident ride and Mark (Walker) and Sam (Bergerson) have done a great job with her. We have people from all over the country in the ownership group and we welcome two from Blenheim who are here while on holiday.”

VIVACIOUS is the first Fortuna Racing horse that Kailey Barrett and Ryan Luiten, from Blenheim, has been involved in and did so after seeing her sold at Karaka before going to the Fortuna website to secure a share in her.

VIVACIOUS with Strapper, Ahbi Pawar and happy connections post race

VIVACIOUS  is a filly by the remarkable racehorse Dundeel (High Chaparral), who stamped himself as well above average from the day he blew his two-year-old rivals off the track on debut over 1200 metres at Ellerslie. The six time Group One winner gained titles on both sides of the Tasman: Champion 3YO and Horse of the Year in New Zealand, and Champion Middle Distance horse in Australia, he ended his racing career winning the $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) and his progeny have been highly sought after.

The dam side of pedigree is particularly rich. Incredibly, world renowned dam-sire, the late More Than Ready (Southern Halo) has sired over 4300 winners including 290 stakes winners and 50 Group One winners, and already proving an exceptional Australian broodmare sire. He has been Champion Sire in both hemispheres, proved an outstanding sire of sires and going from strength-to-strength as a broodmare sire. VIVACIOUS carries a bloodline cross to immortal sire Northern Dancer. Her dam, Vivi Veloce, was a Group Three winner over 1200 metres in Australia, and grand-dam Royal Sash (Royal Academy) also won at Group Three level among five wins to 1400 metres.

VIVACIOUS was strapped by Ahbi Pawar.

Date Change for our Owners Day – now 17^th December

Please note we have had a change of date for our Owners Day – originally set for Sunday 10th Dec, some NZTR programming changes have seen the Rotorua meeting scheduled for the 6th Dec moved to the 10th – Mark and Sam have a big team going, so this means staffing for our Owners Day becomes impossible, hence the date change – see revised details below

Fortuna Owners Day 2023 is scheduled for Sunday  17th December 

Yes it’s that time of the year again – the occasion of our very popular Owners Day where we will review the successes of the past 12 months, mix and meet and we will be parading all of the Matamata based horses

Venue – The Gazebo (not Epsom Lounge) – Matamata Racecourse

Time – 1pm to 4pm

Refreshments provided

Note that it is important to register your attendance as we need that for catering – please email jessica@fortuna-nz.com or call/text 021 288 6997

If you have registered for the 10th already, can you please reconfirm with Jessica that you can still make it on the 17th

About The Two Year Old Filly by Contributor out of Victory Parade – “Kylie”

Middle Distance/Staying type

Lot 295– the Two Year Old Filly by the proven Stallion CONTRIBUTOR out of VICTORY PARADE (By Street Sense) has been acquired by the David Ellis/Fortuna Racing combination from the 2023 NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale – this after the Te Akau Selection Team of David Ellis, Mark Walker and Marcus Corban had conducted their normal thorough pre sale inspections

Mark Walker, when doing his usual pre sale Video clip inspections, had identified this Filly as a “genuine middle distance/staying type”

Pedigree
This Filly, who has been given the stable name “Kylie” is the beneficiary of  a strong  pedigree. Her Sire, Contributor was a top class racehorse in the UK and Australia, winning 8 times from 18 starts, at trips from 1400  to 2000m – he won four times at  Group level, including two Group One victories in Australia. He is the Sire of 121 runners, of which 84 are winners, including 8 Stakes winners.

“Kylie’s” Dam is Victory Parade, a daughter of  Street Sense. She won twice in Australia and is the dam of one foal to race, Smokeshow, who has won three trials and run 2^nd in each of his two raceday starts – Click HERE to view  pedigree

Physical type
A powerful, athletic Filly of good size, standing at 16.1 hands high and tipping the scales at 500kgs, she is physically correct, has a lovely temperament, has a strong athletic walk and passed her pre sale Vet exam without issue – Click HERE to her parading  Pre Sale

Syndicator’s view (John Galvin)

“I had asked David Ellis and Mark Walker to select a staying type Two Year Old Filly out of this sale – one with a strong pedigree page but which also met our criteria for type. Their inspections threw up two or three that met the overall criteria, but this Filly was their preferred option and we were lucky enough to secure her below our budget. Contributor is fashioning a great record as a Sire of staying types and this Filly really does fit the bill. Standing over 16 hands high and weighing 500kgs, she is a great physical specimen.”

”Trainer’s view (Mark Walker)

“Asked by John Galvin to find a nice staying type, this Filly really caught my eye when David Ellis and I conducted our  inspections – a  lovely moving Filly of good size, her breeze up gallop demonstrated a strong powerful action – she paraded very well at inspections and has the physical characteristics to develop into a lovely staying type as a Three Year Old and beyond”

Selectors view (David Ellis)

“We thought this Filly by Contributor was a beautiful moving Filly with a lot of class – she presented as a good strong,  very sound type and we were thrilled to buy her for what I thought was great value for money”

Ongoing Preparation
“Kylie” is now spelling at Te Akau Stud in the Waikato ahead of prepared for racing at Matamata by Ten time Premiership winning Trainer, Mark Walker in conjunction with co-Trainer, Sam Bergerson of Te Akau Racing Stables – this preparation will commence around 12^th December and will include jumpouts and trials in the late summer/autumn of 2024 – during this initial preparation Mark and Sam will be constantly assessing her and will make a decision whether she can make her race day debut as an Autumn 2yo or whether she can be put aside until her 3yo season, which commences 1 August 2024

Terms

• Shares available right down to 1%.
• 10% share $12,400– 5% share  $6,200 – 2.5% share $3,100 – 1% share $1,240

Share price includes all Initial Costs (Purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Insurance through to 31st January 2025, and Working Capital of over $8,000

• Monthly ongoing costs from 1^st January 2024 – from that date ongoing costs are – 10% share $440 per month – 5% share $220 per month – 2.5% share $110 per month – 1% share $44 per month.
• Monthly ongoing costs can alternatively be paid up to 12 months in advance as an option for subscribers by Bank Payment or Credit Card

Syndication Paperwork is still being finalised for this Filly, but we are taking “expressions of interest”  – she is 65% committed already, so please email john@fortuna-nz.com or call/text John 021 921 460

Well John and Team, only One win last week but the scratchings and places IMO give me a pass !
Particularly when on course Volare stood out so much and I was able to fill the pockets on the trifecta and first four. But these bigger stakes and more horses chasing them make it very competitive out there !

This week  I’m sticking to a couple who I tipped earlier….
Wanganui….Race 3 Wolfgang {$9/$3] well weighted to lead and go close.
Race 7 Egyption Queen ….on the way up now.
Race  8 Soldier Boy [ $13 / $4 ] wide draw and tough rivals but one to follow as has talent .

Te Rapa…..Race 4 Maracatu [ $3 win] ..Fisrst race form has stood up so should go close !
Race 5 Petrucci {$3.50] looks the best of the Tangerine lot.
Race 6 Waitak [ $2.50 ] Stupid price but obviously quite the talent !
Race 7 Monza [ $12 / $4] building to a win and nicely placed in this !
Race 8 So Surreal [ $14 / $4] place best but likes to lead and could stretch them !
Race 9 Grail Seeker [ $4 win] Miserable odds but well rated and could be special !
Race 10 Arjays Flight [ $9 / $3 ] Only won once but looked a picture last week in flesh and was again stiff !Needs this distance IMO.

And remember, bet with your shoelaces.not your Shoes.

Gary W

Entain/TAB announces a new Bonus Series of $650,000
 
Hunter Durrant is back at Te Akau Racing
 
Fortuna Owners Day 2023 is scheduled for Sunday 10^th December
 

Fortuna has 4 runners next few days, Two in NZ and Two in Victoria

NZ- Trentham – Friday 17th

KHAFEEF runs in the R65 2400m event – Race 5 @ 3.32 and will be ridden by Mereana Hudson from a mid field barrier. Has been mixing flat and jumping races over the winter and gets out to a suitable trip in this event. Can be a hard pulling horse, but Mereana is a strong rider who has ridden him before. At very good odds here @ @$21/5.50 but will love the trip and gets track conditions to suit. If he settles well in the run, he will be storming home at the finish

NZ- Riccarton – Saturday 18th

DANCARINA  contests the R75 over 1200m – Race 5 @ 2.15pm with the in form Warren Kennedy to ride from Barrier 3 down the Riccarton chute. Failed to feature in the Pegasus last week from her outside draw, but has a lovely draw this time, track conditions will be in her favour and she has “that man” in the saddle. Represents a top 3 chance here at the nice each way odds of $11/$3.50

Victoria – The Valley – Friday 17th

RUBICON CROSSING heads back to The Valley, where she contests the BM 70 event over 955 metres, with Harry Coffey to ride from Barrier 3 – Beaten just a bit over 1000m this venue when jumping from the outside barrier, she draws much better here. An impressive winner at Mornington on her Aus debut she is well in the market here @ $4.80/$2 and is a good each way chance in this

Victoria – Kyneton – Monday 20th

FLEET FOOTED contests the 3yo Maiden 1100 at Knyeton Monday 20^th – Race 3 at 2.30pm and will be ridden by Matt Cartwright from Barrier 6. Went out as favourite on his raceday debut Yarra Valley 28^th Oct, but struck a soft track which was not to his liking. Has trained on nicely since his debut run. Watch the market but is an each way chance in this on a Good track

Matamata Trackwork

No Fortuna timed trackwork this week

Singapore Trackwork 

Saturday 11^th November

TRIDENT (IBRAHIM) 600- 41; GUN (ASLAM)1000/600-39; RHETT BUTLER (JAMIL)600-41

Tuesday 14^th November

RHETT BUTLER (JAMIL)800/600-41; TRIDENT (AWAH)800/600-41

OTHER NEWS

Entain/TAB announces a new Summer Bonus Series of $650,000

Gee, it almost seems that every other week there’s a new announcement from Entain/TAB – its certainly an exciting time to be involved in New Zealand racing. See the latest below.

Entain Australia and TAB NZ has joined forces with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) to introduce the New Zealand Summer Series Bonus – a move to further elevate New Zealand’s pinnacle race days over the summer racing season.The inaugural Series provides an incentive for New Zealand and Australia’s leading middle-distance horses to be at the top of their game, competing for a lucrative purse of $650,000 in bonuses.

The New Zealand Summer Series Bonus will be held across four races between January and March next year, rewarding $500,000 to the Series winner, $100,000 to the runner up and $50,000 for the third place getter in the Series (with the associated Trainers taking home 10% of the bonus payments).To be eligible for the winning bonus, a horse will need to run in one of the two 1600-metre entry races – the $400,000 Harcourts Thorndon Mile at Trentham on 20 January or the new $1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic at Ellerslie on 27 January, held on TAB Karaka Millions night.
The Series will then progress towards two of New Zealand’s most iconic 2000-metre races – the $600,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa on 10 February and the $450,000 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes at Ellerslie on 9 March.The winner will be decided by a points system, with the points weighted towards the two Series races.

“The summer period represents the single most important strategic window for thoroughbred racing’s growth both domestically and internationally,” Entain Managing Director – New Zealand, Cameron Rodger, said. “Our vision for this period is simple: ‘best horses, best tracks, best Jockeys, consistently’. This bonus Series will help to drive this vision, in combination with ongoing innovation around the racing calendar during this time,”

NZTR CEO Bruce Sharrock is thrilled about the new Series and the opportunities it affords racing participants. “This initiative is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between NZTR and Entain, highlighting our shared commitment to continually elevate our sport. The New Zealand Summer Series Bonus is being funded this season by Entain and via the TAB NZ Rejuvenation Fund, and we’re grateful to both parties for supporting this worthy concept. The Series involves four middle-distance races across three of our premier racing venues, with a combined stake of $3.1m (including the bonus) up for grabs. The dates also coincide with four of our The Grand Tour Racing Festival meets, supercharging The Grand Tour activity and further promoting our top 20 race days across the country. With that level of prizemoney available, we’re expecting the crème of our industry to compete throughout these races. The points system, which will be announced next month, has been structured so as to create plenty of intrigue during the summer as to who will ultimately reign supreme. We’re looking forward to kicking off the Series on NZCIS Wellington Cup Day in January, with the Harcourts Thorndon Mile at Trentham being the first entry race, followed up by the newly established Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic the following weekend at TAB Karaka Millions night,” Sharrock said.

Hunter Durrant is back at Te Akau Racing

Durrant leading tangerine charge at Riccarton

Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Hunter Durrant is enjoying being back at the helm of Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton barn as the tangerine and blue army descend on New Zealand Cup Week. Durrant led Te Akau’s South Island operation last spring and has rejoined their Riccarton arm on a permanent basis following a brief stint in Sydney earlier this year.

“I moved to Sydney where I was Annabel Neasham’s assistant trainer for six months,” Durrant said. It was a good experience, I enjoyed it and learnt a lot, but I felt like the right thing was to come home. Te Akau had always wanted me to come back and they gave me a few options with what I could do and where I could go and I decided to come down here (Riccarton). I ran the Christchurch stable last spring and I really enjoyed it. I have come back to Te Akau in the last month or so. I will be sticking on here (Riccarton) after Cup Week, it is good to have horses down here year-round, especially with the polytrack down here as well.”

Prior to his Sydney stint, Durrant had been a key figure in Te Akau’s operation, which he joined after it soon became apparent his aspirations of becoming a jockey would be hindered by weight.

“I was an apprentice in Hastings to Guy Lowry and then my weight got to me, so I gave that up. I then moved to Te Akau and it has steadily progressed from there,” he said. “I started riding work, I was assistant foreman then foreman. In recent years I have travelled a lot to Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne with the likes of Sword Of State, Imperatriz and Probabeel. I have been very lucky to deal with some very good horses.”

Taking care of Imperatriz has been a career highlight for Durrant and he has been excited to follow her progress this spring after strapping her for her victory in the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley earlier this year.

“A big highlight at Te Akau has probably been Imperatriz and to see her still winning. I strapped her in the William Reid, which was her first trip to Australia. It has been great watching her continue her winning ways,” he said.

John says “Hunter is a vary talented young horseman who has looked after a number of the Fortuna runners in the past – his experience at the Annabelle Neasham stable has rounded him off nicely and with Fortuna having three runners based in the South Island over the Summer months (Dancarina, Angels Wings and Sailing Away), it is great to have a horseman of his ability in charge.”

Fortuna Owners Day 2023 is scheduled for Sunday 10^th December
 
Yes it’s that time of the year again – the occasion of our very popular Owners Day where we will review the successes of the past 12 months, mix and meet and we will be parading all of the Matamata based horses

Venue – Epsom Lounge – Matamata Racecourse

Time – 1pm to 4pm

Refreshments provided

Note that it is important to register your attendance as we need that for catering – please email jessica@fortuna-nz.com or call/text 021 288 6997

Guest Selector – Gary Williams
 
As a passionate “mainlander” Cup Week is an annual rite of passage for Gary and he is right amongst it as usual – here is what he says this week

Hi John and all of the Fortuna Team

Reporting in from Cup week in Christchurch…..as always a fantastic week of racing action and catching up with old friends and admiring the wonderful gardens and flowers that the locals take great pride in. Being a “cross dresser” I am just back from Harness in Ashburton on a fabulous warm day with the snow capped Southern Alps as a back drop.  Everyone should do it at least once !
It’s been warm and sometimes windy….it’s so dry the trees are bribing the dogs !!

Two days form to go by and even tho I pick before the scratchings [ up to 6 necessary in each race ] I’ve seen enough to be confident to label some great chances to base your bets around.  Bigger pools mean bigger trifectas and the exotic divis have been juicy.

In the time-honoured 160th NZ Cup [Race 11] I think the top weights Aljay [$7/$3] and Uareastar [$6/$2] have a definite class edge over 3200m.

In other races;
Race 1..Tasty Countess [ $5/$2 ] wide draw and lightly tried but ready to go !
Race 2…McKhan [$5/$2] ready to step up to 2000m.
Race 3….Elegant Lady [$4.50] has Opie up and should win and Bourbon Falls [$3 to place] 
Race 5…..Perfect Scenario [ $6 / $2] big weight but has fresh legs !
Race 6……Peecee Pussycat [ $13 /$4 ] ready to purr and get the cream !
Race 7…..Mary Shan [ $6 /$2 ] ticks a lot of boxes in the Group 1 for cross code owner
Race 9….Not Guilty [$ 8/ $3] ticks a lot of boxes in the Stewards providing the rails OK
Race 12…..#23 Diagon Alley [ $8 /$3 ] needs 5 x scratchings but likely to get them and hopefully gets a top jockey to wind up a great week !

Tauranga also racing and has some nice horses…..none more so than Race 6, Desert Lightning [$2.50 Win] and Race 7 Callsign Mav [$4.50]. Both should go close in the big races.

Caulfield has a lot of Kiwi interest….in the Guineas {Race 7] James McD rides Joliestar { $7 /$$2] in a strong form race, with Kimochi[$3.50 place] a likely quinella. Race 8 Ayrton {$14/$4] good value in a strong race. 5 from 5 on track. As a late -night tipple Kiwi owned Queen of the Ball could win v the favourite She Dances. 

I hope my finances survive the week and I can return South in 2024. A great week !
Cheers,
Gary W