Fortuna horses racing this week are – in Singapore, Federation – Race 5 Friday evening, and on Sunday Brutus – Race 2 and Sportscaster – Race 7 – and of course in Melbourne on Saturday, Star Mare, Melody Belle contests the world’s richest Mile race, the All Star Mile, for total prizemoney of A$5.5m

Federation ran a solid 3^rd this trip for first time at last start – better for that run, he is right in this race – he needs to run1st or 2^nd to be a contender for the S$400k Group 2 Stewards Cup Friday 27^th March – he is a good each way chance in this Friday’s race. John Powell retains the ride.

Brutus, with two thirds and two seconds from his four Singapore runs to date is a very good chance in his race – beaten a close 2^nd in Novice Grade last time and now back in Restricted maiden Grade, he has a slightly tricky draw to contend with (Barrier 8) over the 1000m trip, but we have elected to claim with the highly talented K Hakim to ride and claiming 4kgs – Can win and would be surprising if not in first 3

Sportscaster cannot take a trick – 2^nd last time over 1600m, we wanted to race him over 1800m last week – that race was cancelled due to insufficient entries, so we have elected to run over 1600m again – and he has drawn the outside barrier from the tricky 1600m start on the Poly track – Vlad Duric takes the mount. He is a chance in this but would need a lot of luck to go his way

Melody Belle, a 10 time Group One winner meets nine other Group One winners in a field of 15 runners in this wonderful race, she is absolutely primed for this, great trackwork on Tuesday with Opie Bosson saying she had never felt better, 2^nd up, a bit of give in the track, perfect draw at Barrier 5. She is in this boots and all – can win but is certainly a very strong each way chance.

Melody Belle with Opie Bosson aboard – Haunui Farms Otaki Mile – Group One – February 2019

Fortuna Trainer Jamie Richards is taking all before him at the moment – now ranked No 6 Trainer in the World by the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary international rankings, he was featured on both TV 1 and TV 3 news this week with respect to Melody Belle running in the All Star Mile this week – Click HERE to see the TV 1 News clip

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 10th March

Sand

Beau Geste (R.Cole) worked over 1200 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.25, home in 43.

Khafeef (C.Burdan) worked over an easy 800 metres, home in 40.

Burgundy Belle (S.Pillay) worked solo over an easy 800 metres in 57, home in 41.

Thursday 12th March

Plough

Beau Geste (M.Roustoby) worked over an easy 1200 metres in 1.24.6, home in 38.7.

Burgundy Belle (M.Roustoby) galloped over 800 metres, home in 36.2.

Leaderboard (O.Bosson) worked over 1000 metres at three-quarter pace in 1.13, home in 43.

Fortuna horses racing this week are in Singapore, Hidden Promise – Race 1 Friday evening and Red Rover – race 9 Saturday evening

Hidden Promise, a five time winner in Singapore at this 1600m trip, certainly gets his chance in this very even field. Nice barrier draw at 4, top rider in Benny Woodworth, at a dangerous place in the weights, he presents as a very good each way chance.

Red Rover, chasing his 5th career win, never runs a bad race and he presents as a good winning chance in this Class 3 1000m trip on the Poly – drawn perfectly at Barrier 4 but may start from 3, he will get a sweet trip in the hands of Singapore Champion jockey, Vlad Duric

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 3^rd March

No Fortuna track work today

Thursday  5^th March

Plough

Khafeef (C.Burdan) worked at three-quarter pace over 800 metres in 59.8, home in 44.

Singapore Track work this week – Fortuna runners

Hidden Promise (Jerlyn)– 800m/600m 38.5;

Federation (Syahir) – C, 1000m ¾ /600m 40.8;

Ronaldo’s Dream (Aiman) – 800m ¾ /600m 39.4;

Hadeer (Jerlyn)-  600m 42.9

Cassius(Woodworth)– 600m 43;

Brutus (Duric) – 800m ¾ /600m 38.1;

Red Rover (Collett) – 800m/600m 37.8

Fortuna runners this week are, on Friday in Singapore,  Sportscaster in the Class 5 1600m on the Poly – Race 6, while the same venue in Saturday sees the 3yo Showbound, make his debut in the Restricted Maiden event on the Turf – Race 2, and Beau Geste tackles the Rating 65 2100 at Awapuni on Friday

Sportscaster is right in this event, nice draw, top rider in Vlad Duric, an even field and he is getting very fit – a good each way chance

Showbound has not put a foot wrong in his first Singapore preparation, he trialed beautifully the week before last and is primed to run well – unfortunately he has drawn barrier 14 of 14 runners and that will make it very difficult for him – Alysha Collett takes the mount and with luck in the running, he could sneak into the placings.

Beau Geste led most of the way Sunday 16^th Feb at Gisborne over 1600m, today at Awapuni he gets out to 2100m and will be significantly improved from his Gisborne run – Jonathan Parkes to ride – drawn wide but he will go forward and be up on the speed. A Good each way chance

 Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Tuesday 25^th Feb

 Plough

 Racing at Awapuni on Friday, Beau Geste (M Roustoby) galloped over 1200 metres in 1.24, home in 41.1.

Burgundy Belle (M Roustoby) galloped over an easy 800 metres in 50.1, last 600 in 36.3.

Thursday  27^th Feb

 Plough

 Khafeef (C Burdan) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres, last 400 in 31.

Fortuna runners this week are, on Friday in Singapore,  Hidden Promise in the Class 5 1100m on the Poly – Race 5 and  Federation in the Class 3 1400 on the Turf – Race 7,  Melody Bellecontests the Group One Futurity Stakes at Caulfield Saturday – Race 6, Leaderboard is in the last at Matamata, the rating 72 2000m the same day and Beau Geste tackles the Rating 65 2100 at Gisborne on Sunday

Hidden Promise is racing over a trip that will be too short for him but will be a useful stepping stone for when he goes up to the Mile on 6^th March

Federation, a four win horse in Singapore, steps up to 1400m for the first time – the trip will not bother him, he has drawn the ace, has Johnny Powell to ride, but does meet a very strong field – can win but won’t be easy – Each Way

Melody Belle is all class as we know – is resuming over 1400m in a Group One race at Caulfield – not an easy task – her work is spot on, she has drawn Barrier 3 in a field of 8 runners, Opie takes the mount – heavy rain earlier in the week has softened the track – she is right in this but meets some quality types in Kolding and Super Seth. Each Way

Leaderboard, who won two races in a row at Riccarton in the late spring in very stylish fashion, disappointed significantly at Te Aroha in January. He has not put a foot wrong since and cannot be faulted. Home track, senior rider in Michael McNab, does have to lug 60kgs but can atone – Each Way

Beau Geste led most of the way last Sunday at Gisborne over 1600m, this Sunday he gets out to 2100m at Wairoa and will be significantly improved from last week – he has the in form apprentice Chelsea Burdan aboard claiming 3kgs – drawn nicely at barrier 2, he will race on the speed and can feature in this event.

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 18^th Feb

Plough

Burgundy Belle (M Grylls) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres, running the last 600 in 45.

Thursday  20^th Feb

Plough

 Leaderboard (R Kozaki) worked at three quarter pace over 1200 metres and quickened for the last 600 – no time due to heavy fog

Fortuna runners this week are, in Singapore, Sportscaster in the Class 5 1660m on the Poly  Friday 14^th – Race 1 and  Brutus in the Novice 1100m (Poly) on Sunday 15^th – Race 6 while here is NZ Beau Geste tackles the Rating 65 Mile at Gisborne on Sunday

Sportscaster disappointed this trip and grade last week after being ridden up from a wide draw to run handy but weakening in the run home. Stripping fitter this week, he gets the services of the gun apprentice Simon Kok, who has ridden 14 winners in Singapore this calendar year and claims 2kgs – Plan is to ride him quieter this week and he gets his chance to atone – Place chance

Brutus has had a solid start to his Singapore career, three starts for two thirds and a head bobbing 2^nd. Still a Maiden, he steps up to the one win Novice Grade on Saturday and meets a strong field. Drawn nicely at Barrier 3, he gets K Hakim to ride claiming 4kgs and will only carry 48kgs!!! A talented galloper, he is not without chance in this from the nice draw and featherweight – Place chance

Beau Geste has had two career wins but disappointed somewhat when resuming off a long break over 1400m in January. A dour staying type, they went very quick in that race on a firm track – this Sunday he gets up to 1600m, has the in form apprentice Chelsea Burdan aboard claiming 3kgs – drawn nicely, he will race in behind the speed and can feature – Place chance.

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 11^th Feb

 Plough

Red Jakkal (D Montes de Oca) worked along quite nicely on his own at three quarter pace over 1000 metres.

Thursday  13^th Feb

Plough

Red Jakkal (M.Roustoby) worked over an easy 1000 metres in 1.07, home in 38.2.

Leaderboard (O.Bosson)) worked at three-quarter pace over 1200 metres in 1.14, home in 44.

Fortuna runners this week are in Singapore, Sportscaster in the Class 5 1660m on the Poly  Friday 7^th – Race 1,  Red Rover in the Class 3 1000m (Poly)- Race 6 and Hidden Promise in the Class 5 1600m (Turf) Race 9 on Sunday 9th

Sportscaster has been running honest races in Class 4 over trips short of his best, Now down in grade to Class 5, up to a more suitable trip over 1600m, blinker/pacifiers go on, the gun Benny Woodworth to ride – slightly trick draw from barrier 9 with a short run to the first bend, but Woodworth should have him up on the speed and he presents as a strong each way chance in this race.

Red Rover proved to be a sensation during the latter part of 2019 scoring 3 wins in a row. Resuming at Class 2 level early January, he was not disgraced running 4^th in a hot field. Back to Class 3 on Sunday and allocated 59kgs, he claims 3kgs with Apprentice M Nizar taking the ride. Drawn the Ace Barrier, he will give a sight with the caution that he does meet a very strong field in this event. Needs to jump well to take advantage of the barrier, if he does so, he can win – and presents as a strong each way chance

“Red Rover” – Winning in Singapore 13 October 2019

Hidden Promise was desperately unlucky at his last start this grade, same trip in a head bobbing finish. Gets his chance here again from a better draw, Woodworth sticks – any rain on the day would boost his chances. Never runs a bad race and he is right in this – Each Way

 Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

 Tuesday 4^th Feb

 Plough

 Heavy Fog prevented times being taken

Thursday  6^th Feb

 Plough

 Beau Geste (R.Cole) worked over 1200 metres at three-quarter pace, home in 44 he is being aimed at the Gisborne meeting Sunday 16^th February

Shares Available

Yearlings acquired at Karaka Book One Sale –  Two Singapore options – a Breeding Syndicate 

 Click HERE to Read More about all of these opportunities

“HAYA” – the Yearling Filly by Japanese Champion Racehorse – MAURICE

Fortuna runners this week are in Singapore, Brutus in the Restricted Maiden 1000m (Race 2) on Friday 31st and Federation in the Class 3 1200m (Race 8) on Saturday 1st Feb

3yo Gelding Brutus is a relative newcomer to Singapore racing, having had just two starts for a 3^rdand a “beaten a lip” 2^nd – both in Restricted Maiden Grade – he gets to race again in that Grade early hours of Saturday morning NZT. Unfortunately, he has drawn Barrier 13 in a field of 13 runners and with just a 1000m trip, it won’t be easy for him, but if gun rider Benny Woodworth can race in a mid field position with cover on the Polytrack he is a definite each way chance providing he gets some luck

4yo Federation  has never run a bad race in Singapore and boasts a record of four wins and six prize money placings from his 10 starts. A winner in this grade back in November he has been freshened and had two trials to prepare for this resuming run – drawn perfectly in barrier 3 on the Turf track, he will carry just 54kgs courtesy of the 4kg allowance of stable apprentice K Hakim who has already won four races this calendar year. He presents as a very strong each way chance and may prove hard to beat.

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 28th Jan

No Fortuna track work today

Thursday  23rd Jan

Plough

Melody Belle (O.Bosson) worked nicely over an easy 800 metres, home in 40.

Burgundy Belle (T.Harris) worked nicely over 800 metres at three-quarter pace, home in 44.

Shares Available

 Three new Yearlings acquired at Karaka Book One Sale – Click HERE to read overview – big news is our acquisition of Japanese filly “Haya”

Yearling Filly “Haya” – by Maurice out of Vamoose

Finally, have you voted for Melody Belle in the All Star Mile? And shared the voting option with your network? If not, did you realise that if you cast a vote you will be in with a chance of winning one of 15 prizes with prizemoney totalling A$500k and a first prize of A$250k. Please vote if you have not and feel free to share the item below with all in your network – give them the chance of winning A$250k as well!!! We have ben ramping things up a bit the last few days and she has added over 1000 votes this week as a result – networking is the key!

The All Star Mile – Caulfield 14th March – A$5m of Prizemoney

Public Voting has opened for the A$5m All Star Mile run on 14th March at Caulfield – voting closes 16th Feb – there are 15 runners – the top 10 nominees by voting get to start and there are 5 Wild Cards issued by Racing Victoria – Kiwis can vote this year after not being eligible to cast a vote in 2019. There have been two NZ horses nominated, reigning NZ Horse Of The Year, Fortuna’s own Melody Belle and the gun 3yo Gelding, Catalyst

Currently Melody Belle aka “Valerie” has garnered over 4600 votes and sits in 3rd place – Te Akau and Fortuna are ramping up support for her via newsletters and Social Media – but we cannot be complacent – still a long way to go and we want as many Kiwis as we can to vote for Melody Belle

If you cast a vote you will be with a chance of winning one of 15 prizes with prizemoney totalling A$500k and a first prize of A$250k

How can you vote? See link below and you can share this link with as many family, friends, work colleagues as you like. We would really appreciate your support to help ensure that our wonderful mare can make the field Click the link HERE to vote and remember to share with your friends and ask them to vote – we need as many Kiwis as possible to cast a vote to ensure there is NZ representation in this year’s edition of this exciting event

And click HERE to see the promotional Video put together by Julia Rose Hayes from Te Akau Racing Stables

• Buy three yearlings in total
• All to be types who could run at Two and therefore be contenders for the 2021 Karaka Million
• All to have compelling pedigree pages
• Two to average 70k to $80 each
• One to be purchased up to $150k
• At least one Filly

Two runners in Singapore this weekend, both on Sunday 26th – Hidden Promise up to his favoured 1600m trip in Class 5 grade and Sportscaster in the Class 4 1400m- Friday in NZ at Te Aroha sees Leaderboard put his best foot forward over the 2200m trip as he prepares for the Auckland Cup in March

Leaderboard steps up in trip to 2200m and up in grade to Rating 82 after resuming from a freshen up over 1600m Rating 72 at Matamata on 7^th January. Improved from that run and now up in distance, this looks to be ideal for him with just 55,5kgs to carry – Danielle Johnson to ride – presents as a strong each way chance

Hidden Promise has won 5 races during his career in Singapore, all at 1600m – the trip he gets to on Sunday – his two previous runs at 1200m resuming and 1400m on the quick back up a week later were full of merit. Slightly awkward draw at 9 but race is being run on the Turf track long course with rail in true position – he will be doing his best work at the finish – another who presents as a strong each way chance – gun rider Benny Woodworth sticks with him

Sportscaster finished strongly for 6^th place over the same trip when resuming on the 12^thJanuary – this trip is short of his best but could give a sight from barrier one and with only 47.5kgs to carry courtesy of rider CK Ng’s 3kg claim – he is a sneaky place chance

Matamata Track work this week – Fortuna Runners –

Tuesday 21st Jan

 Plough

 Red Jakkal (R Cole) worked at three quarter pace over 1000 metres in 1.16, last 600 in 45.

Preparing to race at Te Aroha on Friday,  Leaderboard (O Bosson) and Mongolianconqueror (M McNab) paired up over 1000 metres 1000m in 1:02.6 and last 600 in 36.2

Thursday  23rd Jan

 Plough

 Red Jakkal (M Roustoby) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.09.3, home in 39.7.

Melody Belle (T Harris) looked good galloping over an easy 800 metres, last 600 in 39.

Shares Available

A handful of shares left in “Bianca” – the Sebring Yearling Filly we acquired at the Magic Million Sale on the Gold Coast recently – NZ$1700 for each 1% share – Click HERE to read full details

And a few shares in the 2yo Cassius (by Street Boss) in Singapore – Mark Walker is very bullish about this strong, scopey 2yo Gelding. Click HERE to see him parading with voiceover from Mark – just NZ$1000 for each 1% share – Click HERE to read more

 CASSIUS – 13 January 2020