Fortuna has five runners in Singapore this Saturday 30th January with the possibility of a 6^th 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 19^th 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

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

John Galvin says “This Filly looks like a real runner – her pedigree page contains a lot of 2yo speed and her physical appearance matches her pedigree – we had identified her at inspections as a type that was a real chance to get up and going early and be a real live chance to qualify for the Karaka Million in 2022″

Trainer Jamie Richards says “John, David Ellis and I marked this filly down as one that would be ideal for your Fortuna team – a real racy type with great confirmation, you won’t have to wait long for her”

Click HERE to see link to this Filly’s pedigree page and a Video Clip of her parading

Not many win two in a row and certainly not often winning one at Maiden level and then one at rating 65 level at the very next start,  however Fortuna three-year-old NAVALHA (Sebring-Afiado) did just that when winning the rating 65 1200 at Matamata today. Starting from Barrier three, he was slightly tardy away and finished up near the back of the field and on the rail, however rider Troy Harris, unflappable as ever, was content to lob along during the running, eased the horse off the rail before they turned, went to the outside and Navalha stormed home like a good horse winning by a length on the line.

Click HERE to see race result and replay

Fortuna Director, John  Galvin, was on course along with about 35 Members of Navalha’s ownership group and he was a very happy man. “Great result for the horse, lovely ride by Troy and another win for Jamie Richards, his 99th for the season in NZ – and great to see so many happy owners here, many of whom have traveled from far and wide and some are experiencing their first race day win.”

“Navalha” – wins again – Matamata 25th January 2021

NAVALHA (which means “Razor” in Portuguese), a 3yo Gelding by Sebring out of the Encosta de Lago Mare, Afiado, was acquired by John Galvin on the recommendation of Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker, for just A$27,500 from the Inglis Digital Sale late July 2020 after having been originally acquired by his previous owners for A$450k as a yearling.

Navalha is raced by the Fortuna Navalha Syndicate, an ownership group of 57 individuals, several  of whom are brand new to horse ownership

Navalha was strapped by Sumeet Pillay

Details

Sire – Lonhro – A Champion Racehorse in Australia with 26 wins and now a Champion Stallion having sired 912 winners including 89 Stakes winners

Dam – Palace Gardens, a mare by More Than Ready, she was unraced due to a paddock injury, but boy is she from an incredible family. This is the family of Hong Kong cup winner Romanee Conti, dual Caulfield/Melbourne Cups winner Ethereal and the successful stallions at stud, Darci Brahma and Burgundy plus many other successful thoroughbreds

Yearling Colt by Lonhro out of Palace Garden

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 you share

John Galvin says “pre-sale I had gone through the catalogue as always and marked a number of horses based on the pedigree page that I would like to own, bearing in mind that Fortuna always buys to budget –  this Lonhro Colt was one of them and I was pleased to hear from David Ellis and Jamie Richards that they had marked him highly at their inspections, saying that he was clean, sound, physically correct and a beautiful walker – they did say however that they thought he would sell for more than my budget but they were going to buy the horse anyway – much to my surprise and pleasure he was knocked down to David for within our budget and will now be a Fortuna syndicated horse that we are very happy to own”

Trainer Jamie Richards says “John, David Ellis and I really liked this Colt at inspections, he is a neat, medium sized Colt who is physically correct, is a lovely mover and we think he can make a Two Year Old and is a chance to qualify for the 2022 Karaka Million”

Click HERE to see link to this Colt’s pedigree page and a Video Clip of him parading

Fortuna has two runners in Singapore this Saturday 23rd January and one runner at Matamata on Monday 25^th January

Saturday

4yo Gelding, Showbound, contests the Maiden 1100m event on the Polytrack (Race 2) and will be ridden by Benny Woodworth from Barrier 6. Yet to break Maidens from eight Singapore starts so far but has run into the money on several occasions. Is a top four chance in this and can win with the right run.

Here is how the Singapore Turf Club tipsters see this race;

1st Pick: YES ONE BALL (4)

Third last time out was a better effort and has won a trial since. Best of an ordinary bunch.

2nd Pick: JUST STARS (3)

Has more form than most and should go well.

3rd Pick: SHOWBOUND (2)

Ran well enough last start behind stablemate Entertainer and wouldn’t shock if he shapes up well here.

4th Pick: SUPER PINS (1)

One to include for the multiples in this trappy little heat.

3yo Gelding, Marcus Antonius, contests the Open Maiden 1400m event on the Turf (Race 5). Failing to flatter in his first four Singapore races in Restricted Maiden Grade, he showed good improvement when finishing 6^th1200m 3^rd January. Gets up to 1400m here in an easier Grade – has Benny Woodworth in the saddle from the ace draw and is well treated at the weights. Is a good each way chance in  this

Monday

3yo Gelding, Navalha, was impressive breaking Maidens at his NZ race debut Matamata 23^rd December and gets his chance to make it back to back wins in the Rating 65 1200m event (Race 4) at Matamata. Drawn nicely in Barrier 3 with Troy Harris to ride, this athletic son of Sebring is a strong each way chance in this

“Navalha” – wins on NZ debut – Matamata 23rd December 2020

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 19^th January

Navalha (O Bosson) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.07.5, last 600 in 38.8.

Thursday 21st January

No timed trackwork for Fortuna runners today

OTHER NEWS

Dual Horse of The Year, Melody Belle, was exceptional in an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa Wednesday 20^thJan ahead of resuming on race day at Trentham 30^th January where she will contest the Thorndon Mile (G1 -1600m – $200,000)

Dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle  (6 m Commands – Meleka Belle, by Iffraaj) had an exhibition gallop during the meeting on 20 January at Te Rapa.

MELODY BELLE with Opie Bosson aboard at Te Rapa 20th January

Melody Belle worked boldly over 1000 metres under rider Opie Bosson, in preparation for the Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 30 January at Trentham.

Not seen since a sell-out crowd came to see her win the Livamol Classic (Gr. 1, 2040m) in October at Hastings – recording her 12^thGroup One victory and one short of the all-time record held by Sunline (Desert Sun) – Melody Belle also had an exhibition gallop on 1 January at Ellerslie, and ran home strongly on terms with stable-mate Amarelinha (Savabeel) when trialling on 12 January at Matamata.

“Everything is going according to plan,” said trainer Jamie Richards. “She had a decent blow after the trial last Tuesday and we’re taking the opportunity to get more work into her there today.

“She was keen to go quicker, so I’m glad we’re taking the edge off her. We were treating it like a second trial and an opportunity to get her off the property, give her a spin around and tighten her up a little bit. She’s probably five to 10 kilos above where I’d like her to be in terms of her racing weight but this will bring her on nicely and she looked to be doing some nice work.

“She’s going as good as we’ve ever had her, I think. She is sound and happy and as she’s got older she’s eaten better and continued to work well. She has lost a little of her spring, or sharpness, and looking for a bit further, hence why she’s kicking off at a mile.

“She was there to do a nice strong bit of work today, and Opie gave her a click down the shoulder and made her run through the line and that’s exactly what we wanted her to do.”

Richards said that following the Thorndon Mile, Melody Belle would target the $400,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) on Saturday 13 February at Te Rapa.

“That’s the plan and we’re pretty mindful of travel to Wellington and making sure she is fit and forward enough to handle it, and then the travel home and two-week turnaround into Te Rapa,” he said. “So, it’s important she has a couple of extra decent gallops, a good strong trial, and hopefully she’s right where she needs to be.”

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $57,500 as a yearling at Karaka, Melody Belle has won 17 of her 35 starts and $4 million prize money for her ownership group, the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate (Manager John Galvin)

Fortuna has three runners this Saturday 16^th January, one in NZ and two in Singapore

New Zealand

5yo Mare, Burgundy Belle (Race 8 – Telegraph Group One – 1200m) gets her chance in this prestigious race. Her spring and early summer form has been very good but without managing to win. Not well suited by the Weight For Age scale off her 86 rating as she has to carry the same weight as much higher rated horses. Drawn barrier 7 in a field of (remarkably) just 11 runners, with Sam Collett to ride, she will go forward from the draw. Never runs a bad race and is cherry ripe for this. A top four chance

Burgundy Belle – Danielle Johnson aboard

Singapore

4yo Gelding, Brutus (Race 4 – Novice – 1200m Poly) was desperately unlucky in the final stages of the Class 4 1100m event two weeks ago, getting blocked for room. Has chance to atone here in this strong Novice field. Stable apprentice Jerlyn Seow, claiming 4kgs, takes the mount from Barrier 1. Is right in  this – but the 3yo’s get a big weight allowance and will be hard to beat, however the 4kg claim and the draw are big advantages to Brutus – very strong each way chance.

7yo Gelding, Sportscaster (Race 6 – Class 5 1100m Poly) is very consistent, but will find this too short. Jerlyn Seow, takes the ride, claiming 4kgs from Barrier 10. Will struggle to feature from the draw over this trip – needs longer

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 12^th January

No timed trackwork for Fortuna runners today

Thursday 7^th January

No timed trackwork for Fortuna runners today

OTHER NEWS

Melody Belle trialed nicely at Matamata 12^th January – she will now have an exhibition gallop ahead of resuming on race day at Trentham 30^th January where she will contest the Thorndon Mile (G1 -1600m – $200,000)

ENTERTAINER lived up to his name and kept both the punters who sent him out a very hot favourite and his small army of owners very happy when taking out the Open Maiden 1100m on the Poly at Kranji racetrack in Singapore today. A 4yo Gelding by Zoustar, who sports the stable name “Joker”, he had drawn barrier 1 over the 1100m trip, was having his 5th Singapore start and after being beaten just under 4 lengths in Class 4 company company at his last outing, punters had clearly decided he was the one to beat in this Open Maiden event, no doubt their thinking backed up by the No 1 barrier draw and the fact that the up and coming star in Singapore riding ranks, Ruan Maia, was slipping into the stirrups.

Maia rode him perfectly, away well, holding the rail, led throughout, well clear on turning, a couple of reminders behind the saddle over the last 200 metres and had the last laugh over the final stages, going to the line clear by 1.75 lengths.

Click HERE to see the race replay

Entertainer – 1st win – Singapore – 9th January 2021

Fortuna NZ Stable Director, John Galvin, on holiday with his family in Queenstown, New Zealand, was over the moon with the result; “Entertainer has always shown ability, however was inclined to over race in his first few Singapore starts and then we had the frustration of him being balloted our on several occasions, so to score this win today is very satisfying, Full kudos to trainer Mark Walker and his team, who have worked hard teaching this horse to relax And what a great ride from Ruan Maia, who is proving to be a class act in Singapore. A big shout out also to his ownership group, consisting of 53 individuals from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, who have been very patient and understanding, firstly as we have needed to teach this horse to relax and secondly, the balloting issues due to the Covid-19 issues affecting Singapore racing”

Entertainer was acquired by Mark Walker on behalf of Fortuna in December 2019, for A$20,000 from an Inglis online digital sale. He had been acquired originally as a yearling for A$150,000 by a high profile ownership group, who had stallion making prospects in mind. Trained by Chris Waller, he showed some ability, but having needed to geld him and then after four non winning races in Australia, they offered him for sale on the Inglis platform.

Fortuna has five runners in Singapore this Saturday 9th January.

4yo Gelding, Entertainer (Race 2 – Open Maiden 1100 Poly) has had four Singapore starts to date and has shown promise without yet winning – drawn the ace barrier in this 1100m Maiden event on the Polytrack – has the gun rider, Ruan Maia aboard. Trialed nicely pre Christmas, now relaxing better in his races – can give this a shake

 4yo Gelding, Showbound (Race 2) is in the same event and is another who  has been running nice races without winning – had a winning trial recently after a freshen up – has a top rider in Benny Woodworth aboard but has a difficult draw. Can feature but will need luck from the draw

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club pundits say about this race;

1st Pick: BEN WADE (4)

A newcomer from the family of Tannhauser and has trialled nicely enough for this debut. In what is not a deep race, he should be able to figure here.

2nd Pick: ENTERTAINER (1)

Form has eased off a bit from early promise but can go well in this lesser contest.

3rd Pick: EIGHT BALL (10)

Very poor effort on debut when last of 12 in December. Has won a trial since and can show improved form.

4th Pick: SHOWBOUND (2)

The run back in September is good enough form to expect a bold show at odds.

Entertainer – 14th September – Singapore

8yo Gelding, Hidden Promise, (Race 8 Class 5 1200m Poly)  is a six win horse in Singapore, but not at this trip, although is capable of running a bold race in his current fresh state – the in form apprentice, Hakim, takes 3kgs off his back from a nice draw – can run a place

6yo Gelding, Red Rover, (Race 9 Class 3 1600m Poly) won three in a row late 2019, but struggled to find form in 2020 – faces a strong field here at distance he has not won over – hard to have here

5yo Gelding. Federation, (Race 10 Class 4 1200m Turf) is a talented galloper with four Singapore wins to his credit, but has battled a foot issue during 2020 – now fully over that and back to Class 4. Hakim to ride claiming 3kgs – has an OK draw and is a good each way chance in this but would not appreciate any rain

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 5^th January

Leaderboard (S Pillay) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 53.4, home in 38.9.

Burgundy Belle (J Kamaruddin) galloped over 1000 metres, running the final 600 in 39.4.

Thursday 7^th January

Navalha (R Khan) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.14.7.

Melody Belle (T Harris) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.08, home in 40.2. She was followed by Burgundy Belle (J Kamaruddin) who ran 1.05, last 600 in 39.

Madame Moet (J Kamaruddin) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 53, final 600 in 39.8

OTHER NEWS

Melody Belle was super impressive at Ellerslie New Years Day in an exhibition gallop over 1000m with Opie Bosson aboard – she will now trial at Matamata 12^th January ahead of resuming on race day at Trentham 30^thJanuary where she will contest the Thorndon Mile (G1 -1600m – $200,000)

Fortuna has three runners in Singapore this Sunday 3^rd January.

7yo Gelding, Sportscaster, (Race 1) a three win horse in Singapore does, not win out of turn, but in the past often goes well on a quick back up and gets that opportunity in the Class 5 1600m on the Poly – he finished well back in the field running same grade 1700m last weekend after leading for most of the race – looks well suited here and claims 3kgs courtesy of the apprentice rider K Hakim – Has drawn wide which will present a challenge but with luck in the running he presents as a Good Each Way chance

3yo Gelding, Marcus Antonius, (Race 2) has not set the world on fire from his four Singapore starts to date, however trialed very well on 22^nd December for a strong finishing 2^nd place and gets his chance in this Restricted Maiden 1200m Turf event – has a top rider in Benny Woodworth aboard from a nice daw. Can feature – watch market 

4yo Gelding, Brutus, (Race 3)  has fashioned a great looking form line in Singapore, never running a bad race and already the recipient of over S$100k in stakes. Gets his chance here in the Class 4 1100m on the Poly track with Benny Woodworth to ride. Is right in this – can win.

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club pundits have to say about this race

1st Pick: VULCAN (8)

Lightly-raced sort with a good turn of foot. One of two wins on Polytrack. Big say if he arrives on time. Blinkers on.

2nd Pick: BRUTUS (3)

Did his best in a strong Novice race last time out. This is much easier. Go close.

3rd Pick: MARDOONA (10)

Spelled since second-up win in August. Barrier trials have been steady. May need the run but he can still run a place. Blinkers and tongue-tie on.

4th Pick: MIRACLE (11)

Much better was expected from him, but he has not quite delivered. Last start was a touch better. Chance if he lifts his game.

 BRUTUS  (inside) – Wins in Singapore 19th September 2019

Fortuna trackwork this week – Matamata

Tuesday 29th December

Burgundy Belle (J Kamaruddin) worked nicely at three quarter pace, running the final 600 in 45.4.

Melody Belle (T Harris) galloped on her own over an easy 800 metres in 58, quickening over the last 600 to finish in 38.

Thursday 31st December

Burgundy Belle (T Harris) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1 minute, last 600 in 44.8.

Leaderboard (S Pillay) worked nicely at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 59.6, quickening in the straight to finish in 42.8.

OTHER NEWS

Melody Belle will do an exhibition gallop after Race 1 at Ellerslie New Years Day – she will then trial at Matamata 12^th January ahead of resuming on race day at Trentham 30^th January where she will contest the Thorndon Mile (G1 -1600m – $200,000)