Fortuna Syndications Four Year Old Mare, VENUS DE MILO, proved that her Maiden win in Singapore in January was no fluke, when just 5 starts later she won again in Singapore 12th April in the Class 5 1600m event on the Polytrack for $30,000 of prize money.

The excitement of riding his first Singapore winner, since relocating from New Zealand, on his first night of riding in Singapore, was very obvious for the Malaysian born apprentice jockey Riduan Abu Bakar (he rode as Nik Bakar in NZ), as he launched into a dramatic victory salute when still 20 metres short of the winning post – an action which landed him a S$500 fine from the Stewards

Drawn wide at Barrier 10 in an 11 horse field VENUS DE MILO (Burgundy-Breezed) settled into a three wide with cover position in the run, but from about the 500 metre mark, Bakar started to edge her forward and on turning into the straight set out after the leader, gathered it in at the 200 metre mark and went on to win by 3/4 length at the line

Click HERE to see race Video replay

Venus de Milo – Wins again 12th April 2019 – Rider Nik Bakar triumphant

Bakar, who chalked up a haul of 13 winners in 62 rides in his two years in New Zealand for a healthy strike rate of 4.6 (21%), mostly for his NZ master,  Jamie Richards, certainly bore the hallmark of an experienced rookie in the way he handled Venus De Milo, a tricky mare who is not the easiest to handle.

Fortuna Syndications Boss, John Galvin, was well pleased. “Venus de Milo is not very big, but she has the heart of a lion – it took her a long time (24 starts) to win her 1st race in Singapore, but now she has scored again just five starts later and has had some bad luck in a couple of those runs. She has now won prizemoney in 18 of her 29 starts. Nik rode her perfectly and she was beautifully prepared by our Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker.”

VENUS DE MILO was acquired by John Galvin in a private sale for NZ$20,000 and is raced by the Fortuna Venus de Milo Syndicate, an ownership group comprising 30 individuals.

Matatamata Thursday Morning

Red Jakkal (M McNab), a last start winner, galloped nicely over 1000 metres in 1.07.6, last 600 in 38.8. He will race at Otaki Wednesday 10th.

Beau Geste (D Miller), another last start winner, worked nicely at three quarter pace over 1200 metres, last 600 in 44 – he is preparing to race next at Rotorua 12th April

Singapore Tuesday morning

Three Fortuna runners racing Friday evening worked nicely;

Aabir  (Thompson) – 800m/600m 37.2;    Spokesman(Woodworth) – 800m/600m 37.4;  ;  Venus De Milo(Firdaus) – 800m/600m 37.1.

Hot on the heels of a strong win at Rotorua Wednesday 21 March by RED JAKKAL, the Fortuna Syndication Team did it again at New Plymouth 2nd March, with the Four Year Old Gelding, BEAU GESTE, taking out the Maiden Highweight over 2000 metres.

A three-quarter brother to multiple Group One winner Wall Street (Montjeu), Beau Geste(4 g Pour Moi – Villa Wanda, by Grand Lodge) and with strong form at the recent Wairoa meetings (a 2nd and a 3rd) meant that BEAU GESTE was well favoured in the market and Punters sent him out a very warm favourite at $1.80. Ridden by the talented Dylan Turner, BEAU GESTE jumped nicely from the 3 barrier and finished up with an uncontested lead. Some pressure was mounted by other runners from around the 800 metre point, but on turning, the horse we nickname “Wolf” found a nice kick and was strong to the line, winning by a 2.5 length margin.

Click HERE to see race replay

BEAU GESTE breaks Maidens at New Plymouth 22nd March 2019

Trained by Jamie Richards at Matamata, BEAU GESTE’s win today was Jamie’s 81st win for the season and his 10th Training win for the Fortuna Syndications Team. “Jamie’s doing a great job overall in his first season as sole Trainer for Te Akau Racing Stables” says Fortuna Director, John Galvin, “and a great job with the Fortuna Syndicates team in particular, with 10 wins in the season to date.”

Beau Geste was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2016 Karaka Premier Sale for the sum of $32,500 and is owned by the Fortuna Beau Geste Syndicate, an ownership Group of 26 individuals

Fortuna Three Year old Gelding RED JAKKAL provided a big thrill for his large ownership Group when clearing Maiden ranks at Rotorua 20th March 2019. Drawn nicely at Barrier 3 from the 1200 metre starting point and in the hands of super hoop, Opie Bosson, “Winston” as he is nicknamed showed good gate speed and was soon in the lead. This allowed Bosson to control the tempo and it was obvious on turning that RED JAKKAL had plenty in hand with Bosson merely shaking the reins at him down the straight and only drawing the whip with 100 metres to go

Click HERE to see race result and Video Replay

Red Jakkal breaks Maidens – Rotorua 20th March 2019 – Picture courtesy of Race Images

RED JAKKAL is a gelded son of the ill-fated International Stayer Jakkalberry, who died early in his stud career and out of the Red Giant mare Red Alert. His one previous race day start on the same track in September 2018 had yielded a fast finishing 2nd. Fortuna Director John Galvin explains the background, “David Ellis had picked this horse out for me at the 2017 Karaka Ready To Run sale after I have given him instructions to find me a nice staying type. He did show some early promise in his first preparation as a 2yo, but was put aside for a break before resuming and having two trials at Te Teko in August, the second of these being particularly pleasing – he then franked this form with a very good debut run at Rotorua in September for 2nd. After this race, Trainer Jamie Richards determined that “Winston” would be well served by having a break to attain mote maturity and this time in, he is definitely stronger and has the makings of a horse, who on type and pedigree, will definitely be suited by more distance. Our patience is paying off.”

RED JAKKAL is raced by the Fortuna Red Jakkal Syndicate, an ownership group of 75 individuals and was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2017 NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run sale for $75,000.

The Fortuna Syndications Four Year Old Mare, MELODY BELLE (Commands-Meleka Belle), surpassed expectations at Ellerslie on 9th March. Her emphatic victory in the Group One Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes over 2000 metres, her fifth Group One Victory of the season, not only confirmed her status as the very best horse racing in New Zealand in the 2018/19 season, but elevated her status as a racehorse to within touching distance of some of New Zealand’s best ever gallopers. Fortuna’s John Galvin elaborates, “Five Group One victories in NZ in one season, not to mention a Group Two victory and a Group One third placing is right up there with the best of them in the modern era,” he said, ” from my research over the past few days, I can see that Bonecrusher and Ocean Park won five Group Ones in a season, while Sunline, Seachange, Mufhasa and Dundeel, all won four Group Ones in a season. To be fair many of the Group One victories of those horses were in Australia as well, but for MELODY BELLE to win five is something exceptional.”

There was some nervousness in the Camp pre race as rain tumbled down during the morning and early afternoon, turning a track that was looking like being a Dead 4 or 5 early on Saturday morning into a Heavy 10. MELODY BELLE was stepping up to the 2000 metre trip for the first time and while there was no concern about her ability to handle a heavy track, the track plus the extra distance were playing on the mind of connections. Plus the fact the her main race rival, fellow 4yo Mare, DanzDanzDance, had won over 2000 metres at Group One level at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, under very similar track conditions. Punters, however, remained confident in MELODY BELLE’s chances, sending her out a warm favourite at $2.60, although DANZDANZDANCE was not far behind at $3.20.

Drawn five at the barrier in a 10 horse field, rider Opie Bosson had MELODY BELLE  ticking along in the early running with just three runners behind her. Bosson got busy from the 600 metre mark, getting his charge to the outside and making a run as they turned for home – DANZDANZDANCE, in the hands of Craig Grylls, had her in her sights though and also mounted a run down the outside, MELODY BELLE hit the front 300 metres out a length clear of the other mare. DDD was not going to go down without a fight however and the two classy mares engaged in a two horse war, with DDD looking dangerous at about the 150 metre mark, however MELODY BELLE kept finding extra and fought off the challenge of the other mare, going to the post with a neck margin

Click HERE to see the race result and Video replay

MELODY BELLE defeats DANZDANZDANCE – Bonerusher NZ Stakes Ellerslie 9th March 2019

Fortuna Syndicate Manager John Galvin was effusive in his praise of the mare in his post race comments “She is a Super Star, who would have thought that just six weeks ago, she was the favourite for the Group One Telegraph at Trentham over 1200 metres and today she has come out and won at Group One level at 2000 metres – this has been a fantastic training effort by Jamie Richards and a super ride by Opie Bosson.” John also paid tribute to race rival DanzDanzDance saying, “Most of the pre race hype was predicting a two horse war by these two wonderful mares and so it proved – we wish Kylie Bax and her team all the very best for their Sydney endeavours with DanzDanzDance.”

The Ellerslie victory was Melody Belle’s 11th win from 20 starts, her 10th win at Group or Listed level, her 6th Group One Win and her total Stakes winnings were taken to $1,625,000, an amazing result for a Mare who was acquired as a Yearling for just $57,500

Bred by Marie Leicester, Melody Belle was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndications at the 2016 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Premier sale for $57,500

She is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, a grouping of 34 individuals

Fortuna Melody Belle connections celebrating her victory

Four Year Old racemare MELODY BELLE (Commands – Meleka Belle) stamped her authority as the very best race horse in New Zealand when taking out the Group One Haunui Farm Classic (1600 metres) at Otaki 23rd February. Drawn wide at Barrier 13 in the field of 15 runners, rider Opie Bosson had the mare jumping away form the barriers well and settling into 6th place in the running, although three wide. On turning for home, MELODY BELLE was the widest runner, but hit the front not long after turning for home, was strong to the line and won in dominant fashion with One and three quarter lengths back to the second horse Wyndspelle

Click HERE to see race result and Video replay

Melody Belle Supreme in Group One Haunui Classic – Picture courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North

Fortuna Syndicate Manager John Galvin expressed the mood of many of the large group of Syndicate Members who were on course, “This has been the most amazing journey for this mare” he said, ” to be a top quality Two year Old and now to win five Group races as a Four Year Old, four of them at Group One level is just a team come true.”

John went on to say “and what an amazing training feat for Jamie Richards, this mare came into the stable 1st May, she has raced seven times during the current season at elite level, has beaten all comers – she is just a complete racehorse and Jamie is a trainer to match”

The Te Rapa victory was Melody Belle’s 10th win from 19 starts, her 9th win at Group or Listed level, her 5th Group One Win and her total Stakes winnings were taken to $1,500,000, an amazing result for a Mare who was acquired as a Yearling for just $57,500

Melody Belle was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndications at the 2016 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Premier sale for $57,500 and was bred by Marie Leicester.

She is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, a grouping of 34 individuals

Fortuna’s seven year old race mare SECRET SPICE (Sakhees Secret- Caparison), ridden by  S Salee, put in a strong performance to win the Class 5 1400 event at Malaysia’s Selangor Turf Club on Saturday 16th February. Ridden positively from her wide draw by Salee, SECRET SPICE found the rail in 4th place during the run, seemed to be struggling for momentum in the early stages of the run down the home straight, but Salee pulled her out to the middle of the track and she put in a powerful last 200 metres, going to the line a length clear of the 2nd placegetter

Click HERE to view Race Video Replay 

Secret Spice 8th career win – Selangor Turf Club  27 Feb 2019

SECRET SPICE was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2013 Karaka Yearling Sale for the sum of $52,500 – she traveled to Singapore where she made her race day debut as a Two Year Old, trained by Mark Walker. She accumulated three race day victories in Singapore before being transferred to Malaysia to the Stable of Sharee Hamilton, based in Penang, where she has now accumulated another  five race day victories.

Raced by an Ownership Group of 25 Individuals, Secret Spice has now earned Gross Prizemoney for her Owners of NZ$175,000

The top quality race mare MELODY BELLE (Commands – Meleka Belle) redeemed herself after her inexplicable last start failure at Trentham, when taking out the Group One BCD Sprint (1400 metres) at Te Rapa 9th February. With a new rider aboard in Troy Harris the 4yo Mare had drawn nicely at Barrier 2, jumped well and was 5th in the running. Under a bit of a ride as they turned for home, she did not look like a winning chance at that point, but Harris nursed her through her flat spot, then went for her with 200 metres to go and, getting  up inside race leaders Bostonian and Androssan, she went to the line victorious with a head margin back to Bostonian

Click HERE to see race result and Video replay

Melody Belle with Troy Harris aboard wins the Group One BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa 9th February

Fortuna Syndicate Manager John Galvin was shaking his head in disbelief post race, “I made a bit of a fool of myself in the final stages of the race,” he said, ” I put my binoculars down with 300 metres to run and said to those around me that it was not our day, but under a strong ride from Troy, she picked herself up and was victorious – what a race mare she is.”

John went on to say “and what an incredible result for Troy Harris – amazingly, this was his first Group One victory in over 10 years, his last being on the Fortuna 3yo gelding, TELL A TALE, in the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November 2008. Troy’s battles with weight and injury are well documented and I am just so happy to see him having success at the top level in the Fortuna colours”

The Te Rapa victory was Melody Belle’s 9th win from 18 starts, her 8th win at Group or Listed level, her 4th Group One Win and her total Stakes winnings were taken to $1,380,000, an amazing result for a Mare who was acquired as a Yearling for just $57,500

Melody Belle was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndications at the 2016 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Premier sale for $57,500 and was bred by Marie Leicester.

She is raced by the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate, a grouping of 34 individuals

The veteran Gelding, EATONS GOLD, proved that age is no barrier  by taking out the Class 4 1100 metre sprint at the Penang Turf Club in Malaysia Sunday 3rd February. Beautifully placed in the race by Apprentice S Rosmizan, just off the speed but on the rail, EATON  held his spot, was eased off the rail by his rider as they turned for home, gathered in the leader and held off the challengers to win by a long neck in 1.05.03 seconds

Click HERE to see race Video replay

EATONS GOLD winning the Class 4 1100 metre at Penang 3rd Feb 2019

Eaton’s Gold, a ten year old by Jetspur out of Road Ranger, has had a wonderful career in Singapore and Malaysia – he won nine times in Singapore for Trainer Mark Walker and over S$510,000 in prizemoney before transferring to the care of Penang based trainer Sharee Hamilton early in 2017, where he has now won an additional MYR68,000 (approx NZ$23,000) as he winds down toward a well deserved retirement. He has had 87 career starts winning prize money in 63 of those starts

Syndicate Manager, John Galvin, was proud of his charge –  “this is another lovely result for EATONS GOLD  and his loyal band of Syndicate members, “ he said, ” amazingly we bought him nine years ago at the 2010 Karaka Sale, thinking he would be an ideal Karaka Million type and while he missed that particular opportunity and went to Singapore to race, he has had an incredible career in Singapore winning nine times there and now two further wins in Malaysia – and the way he ran yesterday, I don’t think he is finished yet”

Acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for NZ$75,000, Eatons Gold  is raced by the Fortuna Eatons Gold Syndicate, an ownership group of 24 individuals.

Fortuna’s seven year old race mare SECRET SPICE (Sakhees Secret- Caparison), ridden by jockey, S Mundiandy, ran her race rivals ragged when leading all the way from the outside barrier  to win the Class 5 1100 event at Malaysia’s Penang Turf Club on Sunday 27th January.

Click HERE to view Race Video Replay 

SECRET SPICE was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2013 Karaka Yearling Sale for the sum of $52,500 – she traveled to Singapore where she made her race day debut as a Two Year Old, trained by Mark Walker. She accumulated three race day victories in Singapore before being transferred to Malaysia to the Stable of Sharee Hamilton, based in Penang, were she has now accumulated another  four race day victories.

Raced by an Ownership Group of 25 Individuals, Secret Spice has now earned Gross Prizemoney for her Owners of NZ$165,000

Secret Spice dominant at Penang Turf Club Jan 27 2018