SECRET SPICE makes it six career victories

The ever consistent six year old race mare SECRET SPICE (Sakhees Secret- Caparison), ridden by jockey, S Rosmizan led all the way from a wide barrier draw to win the Class 5 1600 event at Malaysia’s Penang Turf Club on Sunday 25th March.

SECRET SPICE was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2013 Karaka Yearling Sale for the sum of $52,500 and 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 three race day victories.

Raced by an Ownership Group of 25 Individuals, Secret Spice has now accumulated Gross Prizemoney for her Owners of NZ$150,000

Secret Spice (No 3) Winning in Malaysia 2017

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HANDSOME REBEL seeks Group One Glory at Awapuni 31st March

The well named Fortuna Two Year Old Gelding, HANDSOME REBEL (Denman – London Rebel), a dominant four length winner of the Maiden 2yo event at Matamata on 14th March will contest the $225,000 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes at Awapuni on Saturday 31st March. This is the race that the Fortuna filly, MELODY BELLE won in 2017.

“It won’t be an easy task for him,” reports Fortuna’s John Galvin, ” he will have some seriously tough opposition from his stablemates SWORD OF OSMAN and AVANTAGE, not to mention the likes of MELT, BOCCE and SHE’S A THIEF, but he deserves his chance and should acquit himself well.”

HANDSOME REBEL aka “Jordie” will be ridden by the highly successful ex Singaporean jockey, SHAFIQ RUSOF

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ANTONIO GIUSEPPE Syndicate fully subscribed

Fortuna’s most recent syndication offering, the 5yo Gelding ANTONIO  GIUSEPPE,  has been fully taken up. “This $250,000 offering was fully subscribed a few days ago with 57 parties taking shares ranging from 7.5% down to 1%” reports John Galvin, ” the idea of buying a tried and proven horse (six career wins – five of them in Sydney and over A$500k in prizemoney) with the plan for him to contest the  three race Singapore Triple Crown Series with over $3m total prizemoney on offer, in just a few months time, was very compelling for investors.”

ANTONIO GIUSEPPE  is now in quarantine in Victoria and will depart for Singapore April 14th

Antonio Giuseppe winning at Rosehill

Fortuna Syndications well named Two Year Old Gelding HANDSOME REBEL (Denman – London Rebel, by Fastnet Rock) kept the money flowing as the twice stakes placed $1.70 favourite raced clear by four lengths to win the Maiden 2yo 1200 metres on 14 March at Matamata. Click HERE to see race replay

Having recorded four thirds from as many starts, including last time out behind subsequent Group One winning stable-mate Sword of Osman (Savabeel) in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) and the Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m), the win came easily in the end.

Sent forward from a wide gate to race outside the leader, Handsome Rebel (stable name “Jordie”) took control at the 250m and streaked away for rider Opie Bosson.

“He jumped well and wanted to over race a bit early, but came back under me about the half mile and he did it easily,” Bosson said.

At the annual meeting for the South Waikato Racing Club, in a race sponsored by Retox Sports Bar & Tokoroa Cosmopolitan Club, Handsome Rebel ran the 1200 metres in 1:11.7, last 600m in 35.8, on footing rated Dead6.

“He’s a promising horse,” said co-trainer Jamie Richards. “He’s been getting back and been a bit field shy around other horses, so we decided to ride him positively to negate those issues. Full credit to John Galvin for making the right call re race choice – we could have gone to the Group One (Sistema Stakes), but decided to come here, try and ride him positively and take some of that bad luck out of the equation and it’s worked really well.”

“Fortuna is an incredibly important part of the Te Akau team, both here (NZ) and with Mark (Walker) in Singapore, and John does a great job,” said David Ellis.

“I bought three yearlings for John at this year’s Karaka Sale, and they include two of the nicest fillies you’d ever see. We’re really looking forward to getting them into the stable.”

By Group One winning stallion Denman (Lonhro), Handsome Rebel is the first foal from the Fastnet Rock mare London Rebel, from a family sporting quite a few stakes performers.

John Galvin said: “This is a lovely outcome, full credit to the Training Team of Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards for devising a plan (back to Maiden Grade, blinkers on and to ride positively from the barriers) and it worked a treat. It’s a great syndicate  with a healthy mix of Fortuna stalwarts and first time Fortuna Members, many of whom enjoyed their first ever win today. Jordie is a lovely horse and didn’t cost us a lot of money. We like to buy them to budget and it’s really paid off with this guy”

Raced by the Fortuna Handsome Rebel Syndicate, an ownership Group comprising 37 individuals, Handsome Rebel was purchased for A$65,000 by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Element Hill

”.

Well, he may not win out of turn, with now just two wins from 23 starts, but Fortuna Syndications Five Year Old Gelding, JACK’S SECRET (Sahkees Secret-Spin ‘N Grin) is one of Singapore’s most consistent gallopers, finishing in the money in 18 of his 23 starts, including running either first or second in seven of his last ten starts.

Racing in the Class 4 event over 1600 metres on Kranji’s Polytrack, with Singapore’s leading jockey, Vlad Duric in the saddle, JACK’S SECRET jumped nicely and Duric soon had him in a nice position, 5th in the running and one out from the rail. Wide as they turned, “JACK” took a few strides to get balanced, but soon mounted a determined run down the middle of the track, which looked like a winning one, however Arr Flair on his inside, with French hoop R Curatolo aboard, was in for the fight. In the last few strides it did look as if JACK’S SECRET, under a punishing ride from Duric, had mastered his rival, but a final lunge from Arr Flair in a head bobbing finish did test the judge a little, but eventually the Fortuna runner was declared the victor with a nose margin to the 2nd horse.

Click HERE to see the race replay

” Vlad Duric is certainly the right man to have in the saddle in that sort of finish,” said Fortuna Director, John Galvin, ” he is just so strong and never says die.”

Trained by Singapore’s 2017 Champion Trainer, MARK WALKER, JACKS SECRET  was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2014 Karaka Yearling Sales for the sum of $25,000. He has now accumulated S$120,000 in prize money earnings. He is owned and raced by the Fortuna Jacks Secret Syndicate, an ownership group of 24 individuals, 2 of whom are Singapore residents.

The victory capped off a big week for the Singapore based Fortuna NZ Stable with John  Galvin’s announcement during the week that he had acquired the proven Sydney Galloper, ANTONIO GIUSEPPE,  to race in Singapore and contest the Singapore Gold Cup later in 2018. Click HERE to read more on that story.

How would you like to be an Owner of a tried, proven, quality race horse (5 wins in Metropolitan Sydney) who will be racing in three Group One races later this year for over NZ$3.5 million in prizemoney? If so read on

I don’t know how often I have been asked if we are going to do another deal like we did with CHANCE TO DANCE last year (i.e. buying a proven Australian galloper) – but the answer has always been “yes” while acknowledging that these sorts of deals are not easy to do.

However I am happy to report that we have pulled off another deal with a tried, proven and successful Australian (although NZ bred) horse – the 5yo Gelding, ANTONIO GIUSEPPE

ANTONIO GIUSEPPE winning at Rosehill

 Lightly raced (19 starts, 6 wins, 3 seconds, A$540k of prizemoney), “Tony”, as we have nicknamed him, is a five year old son of the Melbourne Cup winner, Shocking out of the High Chaparral mare, Chrystalthecowgirl) and has won quality races at Canterbury and Rosehill in Sydney and run 2nd in the Group One Metropolitan Handicap and the Group Three Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick, so no question that he  has quality about him.

So far, so good and now for the twist in our story. This horse will take a different path to Chance To Dance – he will be set for the Singapore Gold Cup (2000 metres – S$1.35m) run under Handicap Conditions on 11th November 2018 with the two lead up races, The Raffles Cup (1600m WFA – $1m Stakes) run 30th September  and The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m – WFA – S$1m Stakes) run 21st October. These three races form three legs of the “Singapore Triple Crown” and are only eligible for Singapore based runners (no European “raiders” to contend with!!)

Background to all of this is that Mark Walker and I have been observing in recent times just how thin on the ground the quality distance horses currently racing in Singapore are and so we hatched a plan to try and acquire a “proven” horse from Australian ranks in order to have a crack at these sorts of races. From 1st Jan 2018, all Group One races in Singapore are minimum of $$1m prizemoney, all Group Two’s are S$500k minimum and Group Three’s S$250k minimum – these are very good prizemoney figures by any standards (by the way S$1 = NZ$1.05 at current exchange rate). Mark has assessed this horse from what he has seen of his race replays as 1600 to 2000 metres being his best distance – just perfect for the races we have targeted. We have had “Tony” vetted – this vetting to “Hong Kong Standards” – the highest standard in the world – he has passed with flying colours.

So, what is the deal? Fully syndicated value is  is NZ$250,000 – this compares more than favourably with Chance to Dance, whose syndicated value was NZ$390,000

All going well, “Tony” will arrive in Singapore early to mid April, giving our Singapore Trainer, Mark plenty of time to work with him and get him acclimatised well ahead of a racing campaign aimed at those three big races later in the year. He will arrive in Singapore as a Class One (this is the highest Class) horse with a Singapore Rating of 92, prizemoney for Class One is S$125k, so he has plenty of chances to start paying his way ahead of the “prime targets”. Incidentally, the Gold Cup is a handicap and with weights being set by the top weighted horses rating, it is quite possible that Tony may only carry 51 or 52kgs in that race – this is a similar weight to what the Fortuna horse, TELL A TALE, carried when running 2nd in the 2010 edition of the Gold Cup (winning S$250k for his efforts by the way!!!).

So, if I sound excited, it is with justification.

Shares in CHANCE TO DANCE sold out very quickly last year, so if your interest is piqued by this opportunity, don’t hesitate to contact me by return email HERE or call/text 021 921 460. But be quick – shares are selling steadily.

Finally, Singapore is a fair distance away, but all Singapore racing is broadcast on Trackside TV and Radio and when Tony does contest those big races, we will be organising travel packages for those attending. Return fares to Singapore are under $1,000 these days, less than it costs to fly to Invercargill from Auckland or Hamilton!!!

SHAMROCK wins in Singapore at just his 3rd race day start

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Fortuna’s MELODY BELLE  to pursue Sydney Campaign

Three Year Old Filly, MELODY BELLE, last season’s Champion Two Year old, fresh from a last start win in the Group Three Mongolian Khan Trophy at Ellerslie on 27th January, will tackle the Sydney Fillies in her next two starts. Saturday 17th February will see her at Randwick contesting the Group Two Light Fingers Stakes (A$200,000) over 1200 metres while on Saturday 3rd March sees her contest the Group One Surround Stakes (A$500,000) over 1400 metres, also at Randwick. Ex pat Kiwi Jockey, Rory Hutchings, has been engaged to ride her in at least her first assignment

Melody Belle dominant in Mongolian Khan Trophy Ellerslie 27th Jan

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Te Akau Stud Tours under way again

Every year during February and March, we conduct weekly visits to Te Akau Stud in the western Waikato to view the Fortuna Yearlings and enjoy the fabulous 4000 plus acre environment that is David Ellis’ Te Akau Stud – we go every Monday with the first tour Monday 12t February. We meet at BP Ngaruawahia from 10.30 am, depart in convoy to the farm at 11am (about a 40 minute drive), spend about an hour at the farm and then return to BP, usually getting back before 2pm. Its is a great day out. Please contact John by email or call/text 021 921 460 if you would like to register for one of these tours.

Second on debut and suffering a bleeding attack at his second start last September, necessitating a mandatory three month stand down, connections were naturally apprehensive when their Three Year Old Gelding SHAMROCK (Helmet-Shamabelle), took the stage for his resuming run over 1200 metres in the Restricted Maiden 1200 metre event at Singapore’s Kranji race course on Sunday 4th February. Drawn at barrier seven, rider Glen Boss soon had SHAMROCK  into stride and in a nice place one out and one back. On turning for home, he looked as if he was right in the race, but exhibited some greenness in the run down the straight, with the race leader, Lohnro Gold, still going strongly a couple of lengths in front. However, Boss eventually got SHAMROCK  to run straight and true and wearing down the leader over the last 100 metres went to the line with a long neck to spare

                                                  Click HERE to see the race replay

SHAMROCK winning Kranji Race course – 4th February 2018

Fortuna Syndications Director John Galvin was over the moon with the result, “This horse right from the outset had shown us a lot of promise – his debut run in Singapore was very good and then we had the setback with his bleeding attack and no matter how positive one may feel, there is always a big question mark around a successful comeback. Today’s win was very strong and it looks as if he may have a bright future in Singapore.”

Shamrock is raced by the Fortuna Shamrock Syndicate, a group of 34 New Zealand based Syndicate Members and is trained in Singapore by Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker, the current Champion Trainer in Singapore

Shamrock was bred by Terry Archer and Associates and was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2016 Karaka Ready To Run Sale for $80,000.

Melody Belle is off to Sydney after her imoressive return to form at Ellerslie last weekend.

Described by some commentators as “the buy of the Sale” the Darci Brahma – Sweet Dreams Baby Colt was knocked down to Fortuna’s John Galvin for $80,000, well below his budget. A full brother to the high quality Stakes Winning Fillies, DARCI’s DREAM and WINDBORNE, this Colt has an outstanding pedigree and the physical attributes to go with it. Shares available from 1% – $3350 for 2.5% share

Click  to READ MORE

Number One – a cracking Two Year Old type by Champion Sire IFFRAAJ out of the Darci Brahma winning mare, the filly, on type, looks as if she will be a very early runner and therefore is a contender for the 2019 Karaka Million for prizemoney of $1,000,000. Click HERE to read full details

Number  Two – a strong resolute staying type by the hugely successful Australian Stallion, MEDAGLIO D’ORO  out of a mare who is a half sister to three Group winners, including ah Australian Derby winer and an Auckland Cup winner. A staying type of Filly this one Click HERE to read full details

Crack filly back in winning groove

MELODY BELLE has again produced a faultless performance on the Karaka Million stage.

Twelve months ago, the top filly was the headline act when she was victorious in the two-year-old feature and at Ellerslie on Saturday she was back to claim top undercard honours in the Gr.3 Mongolian Khan Trophy (1200m), with a margin of three and a half lengths at the line and a slick winning time of 1.09.48

Melody Belle 1st – Daylight 2nd – Winning Group 3 Mongolian Khan Trophy – Ellerslie Jan 27

In between times the Stephen Autridge and Jamie-Richards trained daughter of Commands has won the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and the Gr.2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

“I don’t think she’s ever been better,” Autridge said in the wake of Melody Belle’s latest success.

She was given a cosy run in the trail by stable jockey Opie Bosson and once they were into the clear soon after straightening the race was all over.

“She was full of running turning in and I didn’t have to go for the stick,” he said. “She did it all under her own steam, I was just the pilot.”

Click HERE to see race video replay

Melody Belle was sent out a less than even money favourite and she won like it, gliding clear in the closing 150m to have a wide margin on runner-up Astor and Gift Of Power.

“That was a really good effort, things haven’t gone her way in her last couple of starts and back to her own age group today it was an exciting win,” Richards said.

The Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 10 is a possible next step for the filly and another trip across the Tasman is up for discussion.

Fortuna Syndications Racing Manager John Galvin was on hand to watch his charge’s dominant display along with 30 plus Members of the MELODY BELLE Syndicate – ” She’s back” he said “things didn’t quite go in her favour in the Railway, but her effort today, although in weaker company, was awesome, running a very slick time over the 1200 metre trip. 

Now the winner of five races from ten starts with four of those wins at the elite level, MELODY BELLE has won over $913,000 in prizemoney for her Ownership Group of 34 individual Members.

MELODY BELLE was bred by Marie Leicester and was selected and acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndicators at the 2016 Karaka Premier Sale for $57,500.