Four Fortuna Runners on Saturday

In Australia (Rosehill), Melody Belle resumes in the Missile Stakes (Group 2 – 1200m A$200k) at Rosehill – Race 7 at 5.35pm NZT. Singapore runners are Red Rover in the Class 2 1100m (Race 12) and Federation in the Class 3 1200 (Race 10) while Showbound is in the Open Maiden 1200 (Race 6) but needs two scratchings to get a start.

Melody Belle has had a perfect preparation ahead of her new season debut – she was strong in an exhibition gallop at Randwick two weeks ago and capped that with a very strong Group trial win at Randwick 31^st July – she is ready to go a bold race in this Group 2 race – has a wide draw (11) to contend with but the Heavy track will negate that to some extent – Kerrin McEvoy to ride – currently the $3.60 race favourite, she presents as a strong each way chance and can win

MELODY BELLE – Randwick 6th August

Federation is having his first start since March where he finished 8^th and pulled up with a foot issue. He now resumes in this Class 3 event in which he is well placed – has a difficult barrier draw (11) with the rail right out. Hard to see him winning here as his foot issue (which has been resolved) has resulted in a variance in his normal training regime and so will need a race or two to get fully race fit – has won in this grade, so is a chance of a place if the pace up front is hot – Stable apprentice K Hakim, who is riding in red hot form, takes the mount with a 3kg claim

Red Rover is also having his first start since March – he is in a very strong Class 2 race, a grade in which he has yet to win, but is in great order, loves the Polytrack, the trip will suit, has drawn well at Gate 6 and will carry just 47kgs courtesy of Apprentice rider CK Ng’s 3kg claim. He is a sneaky place chance with the right run

Talking of Singapore Fortuna has secured another Written Tycoon 2yo Gelding from a recent Inglis Online Sale. This horse, Titan of Industry, was a high priced yearling acquired by Sir Owen Glenn as a Stallion prospect, but not meeting Stallion requirements (he had to be gelded) he was put up for sale – we have acquired him and fully syndicated (including freight, fees and insurance) he is all up NZ$90,000, or $4500 for each 1% share. Click HERE to read more on the Fortuna website

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Tuesday 4^th August

Khafeef (C Burdan) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres, last 800 in 59, last 600 in 44.

Thursday 6^th August

Khafeef (C.Burdan) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.05.6, home in 37.9.

Fortuna has a big day in Singapore Sunday 26^th July with 5 runners – MARCUS ANTONIUS  (Race 2), BRUTUS and CASSIUS (Race 4), SPORTSCASTER (Race 6) and SHOWBOUND (Race 8) – all races are on the Polytrack

Marcus Antonius is a 2yo having his first start ever – he has trialed up well in his build up to this debut in a Restricted Maiden field for 2yo’s and 3yo’s – hard to predict how competitive he will be in this field with some runners with significant raceday experience and others with  unexposed form, but whatever he does on Sunday will benefit him for future races – has drawn wide which does not help but is lightly weighted (50kgs) and to be ridden by Senior rider J P Van Der Merwe

Here is what the Race Analyst Team at the Singapore Turf Club think about this race;

1st Pick: KHARISMA (1)

Blinkers are now added to this improving 3yo for the Copperbelt team. He has run well on all Three runs to date and sets the standard in this heat with the champion jockey booked for the first time. The one to beat.

2nd Pick: EUNOS AVE THREE (2)

Has shown placed form on both the turf and the all-weather back in January and the run when 2nd to The Wild Bunch is very good form and puts him in here with strong claims.

3rd Pick: SKY EYE (3)

Won a latest trial in 61.79 on July 16th. Has shown bits and pieces of form already and the stable had a Per Incrown run well on July 11th. Place hope.

4th Pick: MARCUS ANTONIUS (11)

Walker trained 2yo. Dam is a half sister to twice Group 1 winner Riva San (Queensland Oaks and Derby 2008) and although might need more time judged on pedigree, he is an interesting runner in this.

Marcus Antonius

Brutus has exhibited a lot of quality in his five Singapore races to date, with two seconds and three thirds in this grade – trialed beautifully in preparation for this race  – has a tricky draw to contend with – will be ridden by Senior rider Ruan Maia and presents as a strong each way chance in this.

Here are the STC analysts’ thoughts;

1st Pick: HEARTENING FLYER (6)

The Clements barn know what it takes to ready a newcomer and this 3yo looked very impressive in his trial on July 14th under Louis Beuzelin. The horses with form set a fair standard, but it may well prove fruitful to side with this son of Excelebration.

2nd Pick: BRUTUS (1)

Has plenty of form in the book and is now stepping up to 1200m. Comes from a powerful stable and can go very close.

3rd Pick: LADY FAST (10)

Has put together a couple of nice performances so far in a short career and won a trial in June to boot. Receives a bit of weight from the boys and the booking of Marc Lerner is no negative.

4th Pick: ACHIEVED MORE (2)

The wide draw isn’t much of a help here but has run some good races in defeat and has to be respected as one of the stronger hopes on the back of a good course and distance run last time.

Cassius, like Marcus Antonius, is a 2yo on race day debut and meets his quality stable mate Brutus in this race. Has drawn nicely, is lightly weighted (50kgs) and to be ridden by Senior rider J P Van Der Merwe. The Stable has a high regard for Cassius but do think he will be a better horse on the Turf and over more ground, but they all need to start off somewhere and whatever he does on Sunday will only improve him for his next run

Sportscaster races in the Class 5 1200m, a trip too short for him, however he is fresh, drawn well, has the leading Singapore rider in Vlad Duric aboard and if there is a solid pace up front, he can feature in the placings. This view appears to be shared by the STC Analysts – see below.

1st Pick: BRING ME JOY (10)

In what is not a strong race even for this level, a chance can be taken with this lightly weighted runner for Leslie Khoo on the back of both a good run and trial.

2nd Pick: TURF BEAUTY (7)

Has trialed well like a lot of the stables runners lately and is a couple of points lower than her last win. One of the more likely victors here.

3rd Pick: SPORTSCASTER (3)

Trip is all wrong for this Walker inmate but was in decent form when last seen and wouldn’t be the greatest shock to see a bold show.

4th Pick: EXCELLENT MOON (11)

Up 5 points for winning last time to the lofty mark of 27 now. Has place claims judged on that success.

Sportscaster

Showbound showed good form in his first two Singapore races in Restricted Maiden Grade

As one of the two highest rated horses in the field he has some weight to carry (59kgs), but was a recent trial winner – will be ridden by Benny Woodworth from barrier 8 – seems to be well placed here in a moderate field and presents as a very strong each way chance in this race – see the comments below from the STC analyst team;

1st Pick: SHOWBOUND (1)

Won a recent trial well enough and isn’t as exposed as some of these in this contest, would look the most logical starting point in this race.

2nd Pick: GOLD PRIZE (4)

Clearly not the easiest to train and has run some good races in defeat thus far. The overall balance of his form is more than good enough to win a race like this and should be high on anyone’s short list.

3rd Pick: SUPER PINS (2)

There were certainly some positives to take out of his 4th placing to Frey on July 11th and connections are happy to go again this coming Sunday. Can give a good account.

4th Pick: FAST AND FEARLESS (6)

Can prove best of the rest here. Place chance for in-form stable.

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Tuesday 21^st July

 Khafeef (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1.03, last 600 in 45.8.

Leaderboard (O Bosson) also galloped over an easy 800 metres in 57.6, home in 41.

In Australia MELODY BELLE was strong in an exhibition gallop at Randwick last Saturday 18^th July (Tommy Berry aboard) – will trial Randwick 28^th July and make her new season debut in the Missile Stakes (Group 2 1200m) at Rosehill 8^th August

Saturday 11th July saw the resumption of Singapore racing after a  99 day pause due to Covid-19. The Fortuna Stable presented three runners, Hadeer and Ronaldo’s Dream, both making their Singapore debuts and the veteran Hidden Promise, already a 5 win horse in Singapore. The stable view was that all three were top four chances with Hidden Promise probably the best chance. Hadeer, a 4yo Gelding  (Savabeel – A Real Princess), who was a winner in Australia for his previous owners, Shadwell Stud, was ignored by punters and was the rank outsider in his Class 4 event over 1000 metres. Defying the punter’s dismissal of him, he ran a very bold race on debut finishing 2nd, beaten 3/4 of a length.

Ronaldo’s Dream, a 3yo Gelding (Darci Brahma – Sweet Dreams Baby) was up next in the Restricted Maiden event over 1100m. A Maiden, he had had three starts in NZ in the spring of 2019, all for minor placings, before being sent to Singapore to race. Drawing barrier 6 in a 12 horse field, his rider, the Stable apprentice, K Hakim, who was claiming 4kgs, had him away well from the barriers and into a nice spot in 4th place one off the rails. Relaxing nicely, Ronaldo traveled well in the run, Hakim pulled him out to the centre of the track on  turning and set off after the leaders who had established a three length break – steadily he reeled them in and went to the line 1.5 lengths clear of the 2nd horse. Click HERE to see the race replay.

Ronaldo’s Dream was acquired by Fortuna Director, John Galvin at the 2018 Karaka Yearling Sale for NZ$80,000 out of the draft of Phoenix Park. John picks up the story, “Ronaldo was a horse I had liked since I first saw him as a weanling at Te Akau Stud. Fortuna had previously acquired his two full sisters, Darci’s Dream and Windborne, both stakes winning fillies and we had also acquired his half brother, Colorado Prince (by Alamosa), also a race day winner here in NZ, so we knew the family well. Not a natural 2yo, we took Ronaldo along quietly before giving him his race day debut at Matamata in August, where he ran 5th on a Heavy track, that was followed by an improvers run for 4th at Ruakaka and then a fighting 2nd at Taupo. Clearly he had ability, however the stable view was that he still lacked maturity as a spring 3yo and was unlikely to be competitive in the top 3yo races. Accordingly, we recommended to his Ownership group that he go to Singapore to race. The Syndicate Members agreed and now they have been rewarded with this nice result. I  want to acknowledge that David and Karyn Ellis bred this horse (they were also the breeders of Darci’s Dream, Windborne and Colorado Prince) and a big thanks to them for putting him up for sale. A big thanks also to Trainer Mark Walker and his team for producing Rnaldo’s Dream in great order and thanks to Hakim for a great riding effort”

“Ronaldo’s Dream” – Wins on Singapore debut 11 July 2020

Now eligible for Novice Grade, Trainer Mark Walker will take Ronaldo along quietly  and set targets for him as he progresses – he is a potential contender for the Singapore Guineas which has been deferred until 26th September due to Covid-19.

Ronaldo’s Dream is raced by the Fortuna Ronaldo’s Dream Syndicate, an ownership group of 51 Members, 16 of whom were brand new to the Fortuna family when they took shares in this syndicate.

Finally, Hidden Promise ran boldly for a 4th placing later in the day, capping off a solid result for the Fortuna NZ Stable on resumption day.

Fortuna horses racing this week are at Te Rapa – the 2yo Filly CHARMAINE’S DREAM on debut and the 3yo Filly RHAPSODY IN BLUE

CHARMAINE’S DREAM, a 2019 Ready To Run graduate, has really impressed her handlers in her preps to date – she has trialed well and is all set to make bold debut at Te Rapa in the 2yo 1000m event Race 1 at 10.30am in the hands of Danielle Johnson – unfortunately she has a horror draw at 14 over the 1000m trip, so is hard to be confident of her being a winning chance.

Charmaine’s Dream

RHAPSODY IN BLUE has had a quiet 3yo season since breaking Maidens in the Spring, however she is another who has trialed well and looks well place in this Rating 64 event over 1200m – Danielle to ride this one also and with a wee bit of a tricky gate at Barrier 10 to contend with – she is a reasonable each way chance

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 30^th June

Charmaine’s Dream (O Bosson) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 56.8, last 600 in 41.1.

Rhapsody In Blue (C Burdan) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.10.5, last 600 in 41.5.

Burgundy Belle (J Kamaruddin) looked good working at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1.02, last 600 in 46.

Khafeef (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1.02, last 600 in 44.5.

In other news, Singapore Racing will get underway after lockdown on Saturday 11^th July with a 12 race programme – Fortuna will have three definite starters with three more on the ballot  – more on that in next week’s Friday Flash

In Australia MELODY BELLE is coming to hand nicely with an exhibition gallop and a trial planned during July and new season debut in the Missile Stakes (Group 2 1200m) at Rosehill 8^th August

The Fortuna NZ Stable ranks in Singapore gained another newcomer late March when the Three Year Old gelding ENTERTAINER exited quarantine and entered the barn of current Singapore Champion Trainer, Mark Walker. ENTERTAINER (by Zoustar out of Laughing) had been acquired from his previous Ownership group in Australia in late December – a high priced yearling, he was a dominant winner of a trial in Australia in September, then raced four times with close up placings, but not winning. His ownership group decided to move him on and when Mark Walker and Fortuna’s John Galvin reviewed his form, they determined that he would be an ideal type for Singapore.

“We did not pay a lot of money for this horse,”says John Galvin, “and now that he has arrived in Singapore and been in Mark Walker’s hands for several weeks, we are convinced that we got a great bargain, as he is a horse with plenty of size and scope with a really nice galloping action.”

Click HERE to see a Video Clip of ENTERTAINER parading in Singapore recently with voiceover from Trainer Mark Walker.

Entertainer in Singapore March 2020

A 5% share in Entertainer all inclusive of Initial Purchase cost, transport to Singapore, Insurance to 31 Jan 2021 and syndicate working capital is NZ$3680 with ongoing monthly costs of NZ$180 from 1 May. Shares are available in any percentage right down to 1% – Click HERE to read complete details on ENTERTAINER and to access our online ordering page. Note also that in the light of the Covid-19 situation, Fortuna is offering for a limited period a 10% “Hard Times” discount on all share purchases.

Fortuna horses racing this week are – MELODY BELLE in the Group One Doncaster Mile at Randwick Saturday 4^th April – Race 9 at 7.17pm NZT

Melody Belle is primed for this race but does have to lug topweight of 57kgs. Drawn 14 she will probably jump from 11 with withdrawals of the emergencies – Opie says “perfect draw for her”. Track is a Soft 5 today with significant rain forecast tonight so could race as a Soft 7 – no problem for her. She has firmed a touch in the betting today and is the race favourite at around $7 to $7.50 with most bookies – 3yo Brandenburg who shot into favourtism after barrier draws came out, has eased a bit to $7.50 and Super Seth is around $9.50 – the rest are all double figures – my bet will be 1 unit to Win on Melody Belle and 3 Units to Place – I reckon that’s a smart bet at these sort of odds, plus I am picking Trifecta and First 4 could be huge so will be trying to find the right combinations there as well

No Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners – and there will be none for at least the next four weeks

Fortuna horses racing this week are – in Singapore,  Sportscaster – Race 2 and Showbound – Race 5  – Friday evening 27^th March

Sportscaster has raced well without luck – two 2nd’s in a row over 1600m and with difficult draws to contend with – tonight he steps up to 1700m and gets Barrier 4 with leading Singapore rider Vlad Duric in the saddle. He will be hard to beat in this Class 5 event.

Sportscaster

Showbound made his Singapore debut at his last start, finishing a creditable 6^th of an outside barrier draw. Tonight he races over 1100m same Grade (Restricted Maiden), gets Barrier 3 and has Alysha Collett to ride. He trialed very nicely last week and presents as a good each way chance in this

No Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners – and there will be none for at least the next four weeks

Fortuna Director John Galvin was at the Flemington Visitors Stables this morning to check on the Fortuna and Te Akau Stable Star Melody Belle – click HERE to see the footage

Melody Belle at Flemington Visitor Stables 13th March