Presented in first-class order and from a family that Te Akau and Fortuna has a great affinity with, Malborough Bay (4 g Darci Brahma – Spin ‘N Grin) was a dominant winner of the $18,500 Wrightway Builders Rating 65 1400 metres on 27 August at Matamata. He did well off a wide trip for fifth in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 29 July at Te Rapa, won by stable-mate Hero Worship (Xtravagant), and brought compelling stats to the race. Solid in each of four recent starts, stakes placed, a debut winner at his only course attempt, and weight relief to 56.5kg, added up to rate a top three chance.

In the hands of Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar, claiming 2kgs, who won the previous race aboard Amberite, Malborough Bay was posted three wide in the open before being sent to a handy advantage rounding the home turn and he sustained a powerful finish to win stylishly. “He loved the ground today and has improved a lot,” Parmar said. “He was three wide, but happy there and finished really well.”

Scoring by two and a half lengths, Malborough Bay ran 1400 metres in 1:25.4, last 600m in 36.0, on Soft6 footing and paid $3.20 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the race replay

“It was a really good win and he’s now two from two on the home course,” said co-trainer Mark Walker. “He was suited perfectly by track conditions, a Soft6 with just the right amount of jar out of it, and Parmar is riding in great form. And well done to John Galvin and his team of Owners in this horse – he had struggled to win again since his debut win as an Autumn 2yo, but recent form has been good and they are now rewarded with another win”

MALBOROUGH BAY – 2nd career win – Matamata 27th August 2023 – Niranjan Parmar aboard

Bred by Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM and Glenn & Cathie Holmes, who experienced success during the week with stable-mate Sorcha (Burgundy), Malborough Bay is owned by  the Fortuna Marlborough Bay Syndicate (Mgr John Galvin), with Fortuna  notching their second recent win following Navalha (Sebring) at Riccarton three days earlier.

Fortuna Director John Galvin was on course with a solid contingent of the Ownership Group “Matamata has been a happy hunting ground for us and I can remember back to when Mark (Walker) trained Darci Brahma to win a two-year-old race here, prior to Mark going to Singapore, where he trained a lot more winners for Fortuna, and those winner continue to flow with Mark now back in NZ,” Galvin said. “Mark had varied Marlborough Bay’s work of late, putting him over a few hurdles, and he was certainly very dominant in his win. While his action on firm tracks can be found wanting, his action with the right amount of give in the ground was very good today. It has been rather frustrating with this horse running 12 times without winning as a 3yo after winning on debut as a 2yo, but his Ownership Group have been very patient and today their patience has been rewarded”

Malborough Bay is out of the Group winning mare Spin’N Grin, who has now left six individual winners of 19 races, including Group One and Group Three placed Éclair Lightning (Darci Brahma), along with additional Fortuna Racing owned horses Major Tom (Darci Brahma) and Jack’s Secret (Sakhee’s Secret) whom, trained by Mark Walker in Singapore, each won three races. She also left the Group One placed (Telegraph Handicap) Burgundy Belle (Burgundy), trained by Jamie Richards and also owned by a Fortuna Syndicate

“When Malborough Bay was a yearling here on the farm, I rang John (Galvin) and said I’ve got another really nice yearling for you to syndicate, as he’d already had plenty of success with the family, and now he’s furnishing into a really nice horse” said David Ellis

Bred by Karyn Fenton-Ellis and Glenn & Cathie Holmes Malborough Bay was acquired by John Galvin in a private sale for $80,000. He is raced by the Fortuna Marlborough Bay Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 55 individuals.

Malborough Bay was strapped by Cooper Stumbles

Fortuna Racing franked their run of recent success with another victory 24th August at Riccarton, winning the $17,000 Rating 75 1600 metres with Navalha (6 g Sebring – Afiado, by Encosta de Lago). Four starts ago Navalha recorded a strong victory in the Rating 65 1700 metres on 7 July at Awapuni (poly-track), before running fastest last 600m (33.3) for close fifth in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 28 July and finished well in the Rating 80 1400 metres on 9 August, both on the poly-track at Riccarton. Ideally drawn in barrier four and ridden by dual premiership winning jockey Michael McNab, Navalha travelled kindly behind a genuine pace, set by two pacemakers involved in a tussle, and once clear inside the 400m he quickened home to score by an increasing two and half length margin.

Click HERE to see the race replay

“It was a good win and a lovely ride of Michael’s,” said co-trainer Mark Walker from his Te Akau Racing Matamata base, while his fellow co-trainer, Sam Bergerson, was on course at Riccarton. “He’s going well on the synthetic tracks and a horse that everyone likes in the stable. He’s so quiet and we’ll continue on with his campaign down south.”

In the race named CJC Stallion Tender Open Now, Navalha covered 1600 metres on the poly-track in 1:35.6 and the dominant favourite paid $2.20 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote. It was a clinical victory, aided by the tempo, and gives rise to loftier assignments in the future.

“Navalha”  – 5th career win – Riccarton 24th August – Michael McNab aboard

“You’re always a bit nervous when a couple get out in front like that, but it was a mile and seemed that before the point of the turn he was coming into it nicely and good to see him extend in the straight,” said Fortuna Racing Director, John Galvin. “He gets back and shown to need a trip, so getting back to a mile today was just perfect for him. The reason we’ve gone to the synthetic (poly-track) these last couple of months is because he doesn’t handle wet tracks. The synthetic tracks have their advantages, not just for Navalha. We’ve won twice with Angel Wings, once with Hayate, and now twice with Navalha on the synthetics  and right across the whole Te Akau stable, they’ve had a lot of success on that surface the last few months and now there are three synthetic tracks it’s giving us more options with these types of horses that are able to race over the winter months but don’t handle wet turf tracks. Navalha ran campaigned at Riccarton last year and actually won down the chute (1200m) on turf, so he’ll either pursue further synthetic options or race on turf once the weather conditions and footing improves. He’s also racing like he might get 2000 metres and the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) towards the end of October could suit, as will other options.”

Co-Trainer Sam Bergerson with Navalha, strapper Kendyll Lee and winning rider, Michael McNab

NAVALHA (which means “Razor” in Portuguese), a 5yo Gelding by Sebring out of the Encosta de Lago Mare, Afiado, was acquired by John Galvin on the recommendation of Mark Walker, for just A$27,500 from the Inglis Digital Sale in July 2020 after having been originally acquired by James Harron Bloodstock for A$475k as a yearling but then offered for sale subsequently.

Navalha is raced by the Fortuna Navalha Syndicate, an ownership group of 57 individuals

Navalha was strapped by Kendyll Lee

Given a perfect trip by Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar, Hayate (5 m Maurice – Vamoose) won the $17,000 Cambridge Equine Hospital Rating 60 1550 metre event on 16 August at Cambridge (poly-track). Finding heavy ground too testing in the depths of winter, most recently over 1560 metres on 5 July at Rotorua, Hayate had a break of 42 days between runs and displayed plenty of fresh vigour in her performance. Drawn the ace barrier, Hayate was advantaged immediately when two horses ahead of her entered into a tussle for the lead while she sat third. The race still looked open when she ranged among a group turning for home, but the persuasion of Parmar saw her draw clear over the final furlong to score easily. Winning by two and a quarter lengths, Hayate paid $4.90 & $2.30 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the race replay

HAYATE – 3rd career win – Cambridge 16th August 2023

 “It was a lovely win and she was very well ridden by Parmar,” said co-trainer Mark Walker, who with Sam Bergerson celebrated their first win together with Cote de Beaune on 2 August at Cambridge. “It gives us more options with her going forward, knowing that she can handle the synthetic track at race tempo and I think she’s a mare that should also cope getting over more distance, especially being that little bit stronger in this preparation. Well done to John Galvin and his Fortuna Racing team – I trained my first winner for John (Kapsdan) in September 2003 so we have had a wonderful 20 year association with many, many winners”

A winner on debut in May 2022, Hayate recorded her third victory for owners in the Fortuna Hayate Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), having been purchased for $80,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM on behalf of Fortuna Racing at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud.

Fortuna Director John Galvin was on course, along with several Members of the Ownership Group, to witness his charge’s victory and commented post race “The race plan from the inside draw was to try and hold the rail if she could, but obviously the first two were pretty keen to get on with the job and Parmar did the right thing, he eased, got her nicely settled, had her off the rail before the (home) turn, was in a position to challenge and she was too strong for them.

“She looked ready to race well and Rating 60 does suit her. She’s won in the same grade before, was just looking for a decent surface and the synthetic provided that. The freshen up after her last start and blinkers off today were the training master strokes, blinkers off allowing her to relax a bit more and she got the job done really well”

Raced by the Fortuna Hayate Syndicate, an Ownership Group of 60 individuals, Hayate was acquired for $80,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Racing at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud.

Hayate was strapped by by Stephanie Hyde-Richards.

Other News
 

Fortuna Racing’s ELLIOT NESS records his 3rd career win in Singapore 6th August 2023

Ellerslie Track Reconstruction

Sam Bergerson – Young Gun

Newly appointed Te Akau Racing Co-Trainer, Sam Bergerson, was featured in a recent edition of Love Racing’s “Young Gun” series – see this great footage of Sam HERE

Our latest Guest Selector is Gary Williams – Gary lives in Auckland (although he writes this week’s edition from sunny Fiji) – Gary has had some wonderful Ownership experiences, with shares in gallopers such as Tinseltown (Avondale and Counties Cups), Pasta Post (Rotorua Cup) and the mighty but ill fated Xcellent (NZ Derby, 3^rd Melbourne Cup) – he has also enjoyed significant success with his Fortuna runners, via Leaderboard (Wellington Cup), Khafeef and the Singapore runners Red Rover and Marcus Antonius

Here is what Gary has to say about Saturday’s racing at Riccarton

Bula John  and the Fortuna Team

Grand National Day has always fascinated me ……as a young Southern kid I watched in awe as southern horses such as No Offence, Koral, Enceeoh etc won the big steeples. Sadly no jumpers in the South now but wagering on the day may help sustain the day a little longer.

Hours of study resulted in me finding 3 x good bets with  a bit  of value. Maybe 10’s and 3’s.

The TAB has gone miserable on Berry The Cash in the Grand National Hurdles – Race 4,  posting odds of $4 –  just silly for its inexperience but he can feature

I’ve liked Southerner Prince Alby [Race 8] since he returned from Aussie. Yes he’s up against some in-form Northerners and his quote at $6/$2 , but surely he will be at least $10/$3 on the Tote come raceday. Each way all day.

Then in the last [ Race 10], I like the veteran Deels Done. Getting on in age, but he likes Riccarton in August and with 3kg off he in with a big Top 3 chance. The TAB has him at $13 and $4 , but should be more on the Tote !

Good Luck – stay warm and bet with your shoelaces and NOT your shoes !

Gary

Six year old ELLIOT NESS (Written Tycoon – Walk with Attitude) lived up to his hot favourite billing when producing a strong winning effort to take out the Class 5 1100m Polytrack event at Singapore’s Kranji Racecourse 6th August. Ridden by Te Akau Racing Stable Apprentice, Fadzli Yusoff, Elliot Ness bounced away well from his No 2 Barrier and settled in 2nd place outside the leader. Always traveling well, Yusof kicked his mount clear after turning for home, establishin a winning break which he sustained to the line, finishing the race with a 3/4 length margin in a time of 1.04.99.

Click HERE to see the race replay

ELLIOT NESS had not greeted the judge since July 2022, but had spent most of the latter part of 2022 in rehab after undergoing knee surgery to remove a chip

Trainer, Donna Logan, was effusive in her praise of both horse and rider after the race. “That was a classy performance by Elliot Ness and he was given a great ride by Yusoff from his nice barrier draw. It was a great effort all round – well done to John Galvin of Fortuna Racing and his ownership team – John was up here in Singapore last week to see the Fortuna runner, Rocky, win and now they get another winner today.”

“Elliot Ness” – 3rd Singapore Win – 6th August 2022

Fortuna Racing’s John Galvin, watching from his home in Hamilton, New Zealand, was also very happy with the win. “Look, on paper, he presented as a really strong chance today – he had run a very strong 2nd placing off a wide draw this grade and trip at his last start, but they still have to deliver on the day and today was his day. Lovely professional ride from Yusoff and full marks to Donna Logan and her team for having this horse in such great order.”

ELLIOT NESS (who raced with the name PROHIBITION in Australia) was originally purchased as a Yearling at the 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for A$675,000 as a Stallion prospect for an Ownership Group comprising the China Horse Club and other high profile owners. Trained by  Peter and Paul Snowden in Sydney, he trialed twice in May 2020 for a  4^th and a 6^th placing and after determining that his trial form indicated that he was not up to Stallion making ability plus the fact that he was very Colty and needed to gelded, he was put up for sale unreserved and John Galvin acquired  him  at the May 2020 Inglis Online Sale for just A$35,000. He has now won three times and had sixteen other prizemoney placing from 23 starts and has Stakes Earnings of just under S$150,000 for his Ownership Group consisting of 44 individuals from NZ, Australia and Hong Kong

ROCKY, the 4yo Gelding by El Roca out of Anthology (by Encosta de Lago), franked his recent good form with a strong win in the Class 4 1600m Polytrack event at Singapore’s Kranji racecourse 30th July with Singapore apprentice Nor Zyrul in the saddle. Drawn awkwardly in Barrier 7 with just a short run to the first bend, Zyrul had ROCKY away well from the start, was in a three wide position initially, but then managed to slot in one out from the rail in 5th place. Traveling well in the run, ROCKY was right in contention as the field turned for home, Zyrul balanced him up nicely and commenced a strong run down the middle of the track, hit the lead with 250 metres to go and went to the line clear by just under a length, delighting his small core of on course supporters including Fortuna Racing Principals, John and Jessica Galvin and syndicate Members Elly and Julia Capper from New Zealand and Australia and the local Derek Soh. ROCKY returned dividends of $10.40 to win and $3.30 the place.

Click HERE to see race replay

Te Akau Racing’s Singapore Trainer, Donna Logan, was thrilled to bits with the victory, “That was a lovely win, Rocky raced beautifully and he was ridden to perfection by Zyrul – it was just great to watch – and it was fantastic to have John and Jess Galvin here on track with some of their Ownership group ”

 Rocky – 3rd win in Singapore – 30th July 2023 – N Zyrul aboard

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, commented post race “Lovely strong win by ROCKY – he has been knocking on the door last two starts this trip and surface and I was reasonable confident before the race that he would deliver a good showing again – he just needed a good ride from his draw and Zyrul certainly delivered on that front. Well done to Donna Logan and her team – after ROCKY won at 1200m in March, Donna was convinced that 1600m was a trip ROCKY could be aimed at and sure enough, since stepping up to that distance, he has proved her judgement correct.”

ROCKY was purchased by John Galvin for NZ$50,000 from the October 2021 Gavelhouse Sale, on the recommendation of the former Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker. ROCKY has started 16 times in Singapore for 3 wins and 10 other prize money winning placings and has now won just under S$80k in Stakes

ROCKY is raced by the Fortuna Rocky Syndicate, an ownership Group consisting of 44 individuals from New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore

Capping a phenomenal season of highlights and records for trainer Mark Walker and Te Akau Racing, Angels Wings (3yo Filly by Heroic Valour – Gowana, by More Than Ready) became the 200^th winner for the stable this season with victory in the $14,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on 27 July at Awapuni (poly-track). A deserved Maiden winner three starts ago on the poly-track at Cambridge, Angel Wings was given time (29 days) since racing wide in the Pearl Series Rating 65 1300 metres on 28 June at Cambridge, and rated a top three chance from barrier three.

With Michael McNab aboard Angels Wings secured a lovely spot behind the leaders and once again McNab was pinpoint accurate to claim a last stride victory. “It’s never been done before, down towards the line, a bobber, but I reckon Mark Walker’s got 200 for the season,” said commentator Tony Lee. “What a brilliant effort, quite an incredible feat, this will be around for a long, long time.”

Click HERE to see the Video replay

In the race sponsored by Aberdeen on Broadway, Angel Wings ran 1200 metres in 1:09.7 and paid $5.20 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote. “It was a really good win and another lovely ride of Michael’s,” Walker said. “She’s only going to get a bit bigger and stronger next season. It’s great to get that milestone of 200 wins in a season today, and to get another win for Fortuna Racing – John and Jessica Galvin, who run Fortuna Racing, are very good friends of everyone at Te Akau and its very thrilling to get the 200^th with one of their horses.”

While preparing for her three-year-old season, Angel Wings caught the attention of new assistant trainer Nicole Shailer as having potential, which she has certainly shown in winning two of her last three starts.

Angels Wings – 2nd Career Win – Awapuni 27th July 2023 (picture courtesy of Race Images)

“Angel Wings had a bit to do with a couple of hundred metres to go, but Michael (McNab) is riding in superb form and he just gets the best out of them in the closing stages – he just doesn’t give up,” said John Galvin, who with his wife Jessica, is combining a short vacation in Kuala Lumpur with racing commitments in Singapore 23rd and 30th July. “We’ve had a few milestone wins with Te Akau and it was great to get such a significant win for Mark – A Fortuna horse (Rio Fortune) was Mark’s first winner in Singapore, Jamie Richards first group win as a solo trainer was Melody Belle in the Foxbridge Plate and his last win in New Zealand as Te Akau trainer was Ragamuffin. Mark started training his first horses for me in 2002/03 season with the Group Two winner Kapsdan as well as Comical Ali, so it’s been a 21-year association, not just with Mark but with David and Karyn Ellis as well – we’ve had a great working relationship. We’ve had many winners in New Zealand before Mark went to Singapore; horses like Kapsdan, Darci Brahma, Tell A Tale, and had about 80-90 winners trained by Mark during his stint in Singapore. Now we’re going well together with Mark back in New Zealand and we are also looking forward to the opportunities that present in the new Te Akau stable at Cranbourne in Melbourne.”

Angel Wings was purchased by David Ellis and Andrew Williams Bloodstock for A$100,000 on behalf of Fortuna Racing, from the draft of KBL Thoroughbreds, at the 2021 Gold Coast National Yearling Sale. She was purchased just a few days after the Fortuna Racing dual Horse of The Year and now Thoroughbred Hall of Famer, Melody Belle, was sold for A$2.6m and many of the Melody Belle owners are also owners in Angels Wings

Angels Wings is owned by Fortuna Angels Wings Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), an ownership group comprising 41 individuals