Fortuna’s CHANCE TO DANCE victorious in Group 3 OMF Stakes at Ellerslie 0n Melbourne Cup Day

Failing to perform in the Group One Livamol Classic after being posted three wide most of the trip, CHANCE TO DANCE  sought atonement when meeting a good field of Weight For Age gallopers in Ellerslie’s OMF Stakes over 2000 metres on Melbourne Cup Day and atone he did, outstaying the field in the hands of Opie Bosson to recored his 9th career win and his 2nd in the Fortuna Colours. An outstanding result. Read the full story HERE

CHANCE TO DANCE winning at Ellerslie 7th November

Shares in Fortuna’s latest “Straight to Singapore acquisition. “Aabir” – the O’Reilly – Neraan 3yo Gelding proving very popular – now 48% sold after a week on market 

Big and strong (16.2 Hands), an impeccable pedigree and a trial winner, this lovely horse carries some impressive credentials ahead of his imminent departure (Dec 16th) to race in the care of Singapore’s leading Trainer, Mark Walker. A 5% share is $7400 all up and $170 per month from 1st January 2018 – Shares available right down to 1%. We are conducting a Te Akau Stud visit to view this horse Sunday 12th November – he is based at Te Akau Stud in the Western Waikato – we meet at BP Ngaruawahia at 11am and drive to the Stud as a group – contact John 021 921 460 if you would like to participate in this Open Day. Viewings available on other occasions as well.

Click HERE to see full details on this great opportunity.

 “AABIR” – 3yo Gelding by O’REILLY out of NERAAN (Elusive Quality)

Fortuna Horses racing this week

JACKS SECRET races Singapore Friday 10th November,  PRINCE DARCI races Singapore 12th November, EATONS GOLD, KING SAVINSKY, READY FORTUNE, OUR RIVER DANCER and SECRET SPICE all run at the Penang meeting 11th November.

“Vindicated “ was how Fortuna Syndications boss, John Galvin, reacted post race when asked how he felt about his charge, the 8yo CHANCE TO DANCE, winning the OMF Stakes (Group 3) at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. “I was bitterly disappointed that he did not get his chance in the Livamol Classic at Hastings after being posted three wide for most of the trip,” he said, “I knew he was much better than that and so to win this race today against what was a very good field is a very good feeling.”

Given a dream trip in the trail by Opie Bosson, Chance to Dance (Teofilo – Crystal Ballet) was off the rail to challenge at the 300m and simply outstayed his rivals over the concluding stages.

It was a performance not dissimilar to his fresh-up win in the Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (Listed, 1600m) at Pukekohe on September 24th, when staying on strongly between runners to grab ascendency near the line.

“Barrier one helped, he got a perfect run in behind the leaders, didn’t spend a penny, and I hadn’t really gone for him until halfway up the straight and I know that when you put the stick around his backside he gives you that bit more,” Bosson said. “He loves a fight and it was a good win.”

Click HERE to see race result and Video Replay

CHANCE TO DANCE winning at Ellerslie

For Bosson the win continued a sensational record in the Fortuna colours, notching his second success aboard Chance to Dance from as many rides, and having combined with Champion Two-Year-Old title winner Melody Belle (Commands) for victories in both the Karaka Million (Listed, 1200m) at Ellerslie, and Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) in Brisbane

Purchased in March for $260,000 by David Ellis, on behalf of Fortuna Syndications, at the inaugural Inglis Chairman’s Sale of Elite Racing Prospects in Sydney, Chance To Dance is a former European and Australian galloper and following his purchase, he finished second in the $2m Sydney Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m), subsequently declared a non-race, and then ran fifth a fortnight later in the rerun.

Ellis purchased Chance to Dance from Nick and Lloyd Williams, who half an hour after Chance to Dance won at Ellerslie, celebrated their sixth Melbourne Cup with Rekindling (High Chaparral).

Chance to Dance took his record to nine wins from 31 starts, running the 2000 metres in 2:04.7, last 600m in 34.3, and has now won over $529,000 in career prizemoney.

He returned to a rousing reception from a large contingent of his owners who were on course to support him.

“It’s a wonderful day to be winning races here at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day,” said Fortuna Syndications Director John Galvin, “I would like to thank Fortuna’s Singapore trainer Mark Walker for bringing this horse to my attention, David Ellis for securing him for us, Stephen and Jamie for doing such a great job training him and the whole Te Akau team whom we continue to enjoy a great relationship with and, of course, our wonderful ownership group”

Chance to Dance was strapped by Melissa Ford.

The Chance to Dance Syndicate is made up of a group of 74 individuals.

Wow, the first Tuesday in Melbourne is almost upon us. The “day that stops a nation” has a rich history and even those with little interest in racing often get involved in workplace sweepstakes and the like.

With 24 runners and form lines that are hard to read, the Melbourne Cup provides great dividends; it is not hard to get double figure odds on all but the first two or three favourites and who can forget the First four dividend of the 2012 event, paying just a touch under $1 million for a $1 unit. 

John Galvin here below outlines a suggested betting strategy for the Melbourne Cup. It is a strategy that both the “experienced” and “mug” punter can apply to this great event.

The objective is to, as a minimum, get back all or some of the initial outlay and at a maximum “scoop the pool”.

Suggested Capital outlay $100. Not a small amount of money for many, but, hey, this is the Melbourne Cup and you can outlay a smaller sum, using smaller bets if you so choose.

First Step

Select Nine Horses from the Twenty Four Starters and label these horses in your order of preference  A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I

Second Step.Place Bets as follows

Win and Place Bets. Horses A and B  $10 to Win and $10 to Place on each. If A and/or B Wins or runs a Place, you will collect. Cost of these bets = $40

Quinella Bets. To win on this bet, you must have the 1st and second runners on your ticket in either finishing order. Select A as an Anchor and B through to I to run 2nd. Select B as an anchor and A though to I to run second.  If either A or B runs first or second and one of the anchors runs first or second you will collect. Bet $1 units.  Cost of these bets = $16.

Trifecta Bet. Here your bet is to be a percentage bet of 25%. This means that if you are successful, you will receive 25% of the declared trifecta Dividend. Select horses ABC to run 1st, ABCDE to run 2nd and ABCDEFG to run 3rd. Total Units=60, Cost of bet @ 25% = $15

First Four Bet. This is the “biggie”. Again your bet will be a percentage bet; this time for 8%. Select ABC to run 1st, ABCDE to run 2nd, ABCDEFG to run 3rd and ABCDEFGHI to run fourth.  Total Units=360, Cost of Bet @ 8% = $29.

So, how would you have done in the 2015 event if you had used this betting strategy?

Well, the winner Prince of Penzance paid $65.90  for the win (despite being a last start winner in Melbourne) and $16.60 for the place so a $10 each way bet on him would have returned $825

The quinella paid $704 so if you had 1st and 2nd horses on your quinella ticket, you would have collected a further $704

The trifecta paid $17,036 so with all the right numbers on your ticket a 25% percentage bet would have returned $4,259

The First 4 paid a whopping $307,081 so an 8% percentage bet would have returned $24,566

I trust you get the idea; it is a great way of spreading a reasonable outlay of $100 on the day and, at the very least, having a lot of fun; at best, you may have a five or even six figure collect.

Good luck and if you are unsure about how to place these bets, TAB staff at any TAB agency will be very helpful. Or email John Galvin HERE

Disappointing Outcome for Fortuna’s CHANCE TO DANCE in Group One Livamol Classic

Our expectations were justifiably high, CHANCE TO DANCE was in perfect order and had traveled down to Hastings well. Riding instructions were clear and so we seemed to be all set for a top run from “TED”. But  it takes a very good horse to race successfully in a Group One race after being three wide without cover for much of the trip. So, it was not to be that this horse could taste Group One success. However he has pulled up post race without issue and all going well, his next race will be in the Weight For Age OMF Stakes, a Group Three Event over 2000 metres at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day.

Cambridge Trials 24th October – Two Fortuna trialists

Recent good weather has helped dry the tracks out and so, despite further rainfall on Labour Day, a reasonable trials surface at a Dead 6 was presented at Cambridge. Fortuna’s Handsome Rebel (2yo G Denman- London Rebel) was having his 2nd trial after a nice 2nd at his debut trial at Ruakaka 2 weeks ago. Away nicely, he took a sit in behind the leaders and finished off the 800 metre trip full of running with limited room in the straight for a 5th placing, two lengths from the winner. Rider Danielle Johnson reported “lovely horse, nice action, needs to trial again before his race day debut.”

Handsome Rebel – Cambridge Trials 24th Oct 2017

Fortuna’s Champion 2yo of last season, MELODY BELLE was then presented for her first public outing as a 3yo. This was always going to be a quiet trial for her, but in the hands of Opie Bosson, she was away well from the 935 metre barrier, took a sit in behind the leaders and was allowed to stride home with Opie not moving a muscle for 3rd place just a bit over a length from the winner. Opie reported “couldn’t be happier, she is right on track.” MELODY BELLE will trial again at the same venue on 15th November ahead of her 3yo race day debut in the Open Sprint at Ellerslie on 9th December, this ahead of her two big summer assignments, the $200k Group One Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and the $1m Karaka 3yo Mile at the same venue 27th January.

Melody Belle – Cambridge Trials 24th October 2017

Click HERE to see trial results and Video replays – the Fortuna horses are in Heats 2 and 9

Wedding of The Year

I didn’t get to attend the wedding and I must confess that I don’t know the Groom at all, we must move in different circles!!!!!, but I have known the bride for close to 30 years in both political and racing circles.

All joking aside, our new Deputy Prime Minister, whose support of the Racing Industry is legendary, has made some strong commitments (subject to him being in power) to the Racing Industry, including a commitment to supporting the construction of a badly needed all weather track and, doubtless, the industry will be holding Winston to those commitments. The release of the coalition agreement between the two parties will be interesting to read in order to see what specifics there are with respect to the racing industry.

Fortuna Horses racing this week

The half brothers, MAJOR TOM and JACKS SECRET, are both set to race in Singapore this Sunday 29th October.

Fortuna’s CHANCE TO DANCE  winning Karaka Classic Sunday 24th September 2017
Opie Bosson in the saddle

In this Newsletter

• CHANCE TO DANCE seeks Group One Glory in the $250,000 Livamol Classic at Hastings Sunday 22nd October

• Last Call for Shares in “Lisa” – our physically outstanding Two Year Old Filly by up and coming Stallion Burgundy out of the Group Two winning mare Spin ‘N Grin

• MELODY BELLE on song and trials 26th November at Te Aroha ahead of her 3yo campaign

• Singapore News

• Inaugural Running of The Everest a Victory for Syndication

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CHANCE TO DANCE seeks Group One Glory in the $250,000 Livamol Classic at Hastings Sunday 22nd October

Group One glory beckons for the Fortuna 8yo Gelding, CHANCE TO DANCE (Teofilo-Crystal Ballet) in the re-scheduled running of the Hawkes Bay Racing Club’s major Spring attraction, a clash with the extra edge of him taking on his stablemate, the very well performed and hot favourite, GINGERNUTS. Both horses worked together in an exhibition gallop between races at Matamata Saturday 14th and according to their training team, they “are flying”. The highly experienced Leith Innes takes the mount on CHANCE TO DANCE, known affectionally to his stablehands and ownership group as  “TED“. Fortuna Director, John Galvin, comments about his charge, “Ted is just a wonderful horse to have in our team, eight years old, the winner of eight races from just 29 starts and almost $500k in prizemoney, he has won races in Ireland, Melbourne and New Zealand and nothing phases him. Gingernuts is a deserved favourite for the event, he is going great in his work also, but our boy should be right in this race on the day,” he said,” and what a great thrill for our very large ownership group of 78 Members to have a Group One runner here in NZ within six months of acquiring him.” 

This is not CHANCE TO DANCE’s first Group One Event in the Fortuna colours, he ran 5th in the re-running of the A$2m Sydney Cup in April, after running 2nd in the first running, a race which was abandoned. Spelled since then and back into work in June, CHANCE TO DANCE won his first race in NZ when taking out the (Listed) Karaka Classic over 1600 metres at Pukekohe on 24th September.

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Last Call for Shares in “Lisa” – our physically outstanding Two Year Old Filly by up and coming Stallion Burgundy out of the Group Two winning mare Spin ‘N Grin

Take a look at the picture below!!!

“Lisa” – 2yo Filly by Burgundy out of Spin N Grin

I have always told anyone who is listening that I believe this filly is the most beautiful horse I have ever bought and I think this picture explains why. Big and strong, we have deliberately brought her along slowly, she had a nice long paddock break recently and is now back in work and her handlers report that she is going nicely without any issues. She will probably have her first trial toward the end of the year – she is not a 2yo type, but standing at 15.2 hands already, she will make a lovely 3yo. Amazingly, we still have a few shares left, but as I have said to a few people, we still had shares left in Melody Belle at this time last year!!!  Out of a Group Two winning mare in Spin ‘N Grin, she is a 3/4 sister to the Fortuna Singapore based galloper, MAJOR TOM, who has won three races in Singapore so far in 2017 and a half sister to the Fortuna Singapore based galloper JACKS SECRET

Jamie Richards is a big fan also – Click HERE to see Video footage of Lisa parading with voiceover from Jamie

And isn’t Burgundy going great as a sire? – already this season, his progeny have won three of the 3yo Stakes races to date, the O’Leary Wanganui Stakes and the Gold Trail Stakes (both won by Dijon Bleu) and the Hawkes Bay Guineas (won by Hard Merchandise)

Make sure you don’t miss out on what is left if you are tempted. A 2.5% share paid up to 1st November is $4495 and as always, we will do shares right down to 1%. Let me know soonest if you have interest

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MELODY BELLE on song and trials 25th October at Te Aroha ahead of her 3yo campaign

Fortuna’s MELODY BELLE  in action at Eagle Farm – Group Two Sires Produce Stakes  27th May 2017 – Opie Bosson in the saddle

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Singapore News

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Inaugural Running of The Everest a Victory for Syndication

What a  great syndication story out of Randwick races on Saturday with REDZEL wining the inaugural A$10m Everest over 1200 metres. The Everest is a race whereby much of the $10m prizemoney is put up by the “slot holders” – each slot holder had to commit A$1.8m for three years ($600k per annum) in order to be able to nominate a horse. But the slot holders actually don’t need to own their nominated horse – they can do a deal on prizemoney with the connections of the horse they choose to represent them. This is what happened with REDZEL, a 5yo by Snitzel – he had been bought by Triple Crown Syndicators for $125k at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale and syndicated among 30 people, including a teacher, a police officer, an electrician and a concreter. Sounds a familiar story doesn’t it? REDZEL was no slug of course, he had won 9 times from 19 starts and $1.4m in stakes prior to Saturday’s race, however his ownership group were in no position to stump up with a $1.8m commitment for three years. However, James Herron, a very successful bloodstock agent, had acquired a slot and selected REDZEL to be his runner. I don’t know the terms, but from what I understand, the most common deal between slot holders and horse owners was a 50/50 split between them. There had been criticism of the concept earlier in the piece, with parties deriding it as a “race for the rich”, however those critics got kicked for touch when the outcome delivered $5.8m in gross prizemoney to a group of “ordinary people”. Members of the Fortuna Syndicates which owned TELL A TALE ( NZ Guineas 2008) and MELODY BELLE ( Karaka Million 2017) thought they had “died and gone to heaven” after winning Million Dollar events – imagine what it would be like to win a $10 million dollar race – this race is now the World’s richest race on Turf and a record crowd was on hand at Royal Randwick to witness the event with punting turnover on the day exceeding the Golden Slipper.  Who knows, one day we may have a Fortuna Sprinter in this race!!!

Click HERE to watch replay of The Everest

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Contact John by email HERE or call/text John 021 921 460

CHANCE TO DANCE  all set for his Group One quest in the Livamol Classic at Hastings Sunday 22nd October

Group One glory beckons for the Fortuna 8yo Gelding, CHANCE TO DANCE (Teofilo-Crystal Ballet) in the re-scheduled running of the Hawkes Bay Racing Club’s major Spring attraction, a clash with the extra edge of him taking on his stablemate, the very well performed and hot favourite, GINGERNUTS. Both horses worked together in an exhibition gallop between races at Matamata Saturday 14th and according to their training team, they “are flying”. The highly experienced Leith Innes takes the mount on CHANCE TO DANCE, known affectionally to his stablehands and ownership group as  “TED“. Fortuna Director, John Galvin, comments about his charge, “Ted is just a wonderful horse to have in our team, eight years old, the winner of eight races from just 29 starts and almost $500k in prizemoney, he has won races in Ireland, Melbourne and New Zealand and nothing phases him. Gingernuts is a deserved favourite for the event, he is going great in his work also, but our boy should be right in this race on the day,” he said,” and what a great thrill for our very large ownership group of 78 Members to have a Group One runner here in NZ within six months of acquiring him.” 

This is not CHANCE TO DANCE’s first Group One Event in the Fortuna colours, he ran 5th in the re-running of the A$2m Sydney Cup in April, after running 2nd in the first running, a race which was abandoned. Spelled since then and back into work in June, CHANCE TO DANCE won his first race in NZ when taking out the (Listed) Karaka Classic over 1600 metres at Pukekohe on 24th September.

Inaugural Running of The Everest a Victory for Syndication

What a  great syndication story out of Randwick races on Saturday with REDZEL wining the inaugural A$10m Everest over 1200 metres. The Everest is a race whereby much of the $10m prizemoney is put up by the “slot holders” – each slot holder had to commit A$1.8m for three years ( $600k per annum) in order to be able to nominate a horse. But the slot holders actually don’t need to own their nominated horse – they can do a deal on prizemoney with the connections of the horse they choose to represent them. This is what happened with REDZEL, a 5yo by Snitzel – he had been bought by Triple Crown Syndicators for $125k at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale and syndicated among 30 people, including a teacher, a police officer, an electrician and a concreter. Sounds a familiar story doesn’t it? REDZEL was no slug of course, he had won 9 times from 19 starts and $1.4m in stakes prior to Saturday’s race, however his ownership group were in no position to stump up with a $1.8m commitment for three years. However, James Herron, a very successful bloodstock agent, had acquired a slot and selected REDZEL to be his runner. I don’t know the terms, but from what I understand, the most common deal between slot holders and horse owners was a 50/50 split between them. There had been criticism of the concept earlier in the piece, with parties deriding it as a “race for the rich”, however those critics got kicked for touch when the outcome delivered $5.8m in gross prizemoney to a group of “ordinary people”. Members of the Fortuna Syndicates which owned TELL A TALE ( NZ Guineas 2008) and MELODY BELLE ( Karaka Million 2017) thought they had “died and gone to heaven” after winning Million Dollar events – imagine what it would be like to win a $10 million dollar race – this race is now the World’s richest race on Turf and a record crowd was on hand at Royal Randwick to witness the event. Who knows, one day we may have a Fortuna Sprinter in this race!!!

Click HERE to watch replay of The Everest

Fortuna Horses Racing This Week

VENUS DE MILO resumes in Singapore Friday night and CHANCE TO DANCE seeks Group One glory in the Livamol Classic at Hastings on Sunday 22nd.

Finally, take a look at the picture below.

“Lisa” – 2yo Filly by Burgundy out of Spin N Grin

I have always told anyone who is listening that I believe this filly is the most beautiful horse I have ever bought and I think this picture explains why. Big and strong, we have deliberately brought her along slowly, she had a nice long paddock break recently and is now back in work and her handlers report that she is going nicely without any issues. She will probably have her first trial toward the end of the year – she is not a 2yo type, but standing at 15.2 hands already, she will make a lovely 3yo. Amazingly, we still have a few shares left, but as I have said to a few people, we still had shares left in Melody Belle at this time last year!!!  Out of a Group Two winning mare in Spin ‘N Grin, she is a 3/4 sister to the Fortuna Singapore based galloper, MAJOR TOM, who has won three races in Singapore so far in 2017.

And isn’t Burgundy going great as a sire? – already this season, his progeny have won three of the Stakes races, the O’Leary Wanganui Stakes and the Gold Trail Stakes (both won by Dijon Bleu) and the Hawkes Bay Guineas (won by Hard Merchandise)

Make sure you don’t miss out on what is left if you are tempted. A 2.5%share paid up to 1st November is $4495 and as always, we will do shares right down to 1%. Let me know soonest if you have interest

Race Day Abandonment at Hastings denies CHANCE TO DANCE his Group One clash in the Livamol Classic

Bizarre circumstances at Hastings racetrack last Saturday with steady light rain falling during the morning after what had been a few fine days in the region, led to the race day Stewards making the call to abandon the Premier day meeting after race five due to unsafe track conditions.

This denied the much awaited clash between stable mates CHANCE TO DANCE and GINGERNUTS  in the $250,000 Group One Livamol Classic

“We are not having much luck with this horse (Chance to Dance) in these big events,” commented Fortuna Director, John Galvin,“at his first run for us back in April, he ran 2nd in the Sydney Cup, only to have the race abandoned due to a fall and today, set to run in another Group One race, he suffers the outcome of a meeting abandonment. I feel really sorry for his big group of supporters, 35 or so I estimate, who made the effort to track to Hastings for the event.”

However, the good news is that the event is to be rescheduled to Sunday 22nd of October at the same venue – this announcement was made yesterday by NZ Thoroughbred Racing and the Hawkes Bay Racing Club. The Otaki Maori Racing Club were also involved as their meeting that was scheduled that day has effectively been moved to Hastings.

Wet track conditions continue to hamper thoroughbred Spring preparations.

Persistent rain throughout August and September has led to very sodden track conditions on the major training tracks in the Waikato region, including Matamata and Cambridge, creating significant difficulties for Trainers and their staff in their quest to get their charges ready for Spring racing. “I know that Stephen (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) have been tearing their hair out as a result of these persistent rainy conditions,” reports John Galvin, “and it is very challenging for the staff to wake up morning after morning at 3.30 am to start work at 4am, only to face another morning of getting soaked to the skin and try and get the best out of the horses under adverse track conditions.”

The Te Akau trainers have a few tricks up their sleeve however, making regular trips with a team of horses down to the Taupo track for pre race day gallops. The Taupo track, being on a pumice based surface, provides much better footing than does Matamata under these sorts of weather conditions.

Trials have also been problematical with a number of cancelations and and postponements. Today (Tuesday 10th) the Te Akau Training Team have taken nine Two Year Olds all the way to Ruakaka for its trial day in order to take advantage of the better footing offered by the sand based track there. This team includes the Fortuna 2yo gelding, HANDSOME REBEL (Denman-London Rebel).

Te Akau Racing Stables takes possession of a Mechanical Walker

Constantly seeking an “edge” in their quest for perfection led David Ellis and his Training Team to make a decision to acquire a Mechanical Walker for their charges. The Te Akau Singapore based Trainer, Mark Walker, has been using a similar device for over twelve months now and could not be happier with its effectiveness. The machine can have its incline altered and can have its speed adjusted right up to a steady canter. After having had the walker for about four weeks now, Stephen Autridge is a big fan, “It just creates so  many options of different horses,” he says, “firstly it means that under the sort of adverse weather conditions we have had of late, you can get some solid work into horses without getting horse and rider wet and struggling with heavy tracks. Secondly, if you have a horse returning from injury, the walker provides a nice bridge between hand walking and returning to normal trackwork. I just love it.”

Fortuna Horses racing this week

Just one runner this week, with JACKS SECRET racing over 1100 metres on Singapore Turf Club’s Polytrack this Friday 13th October. “Jack” put in a very bold resuming run over 1000 metres two weeks ago, finishing 2nd by a head, has trained on well and should be ready for another bold run this Friday.

Fortuna’s CHANCE TO DANCE primed and ready for the $250,000 Group One Livamol Classic at Hastings Saturday 7th.

A mouth watering clash lies ahead as the two Te Akau trained stable mates, CHANCE TO DANCE and GINGERNUTS square off in the feature race at Hastings on Saturday. Both last start winners, GINGERNUTS winning the Group One Windsor Park Plate over 1600 metres at Hastings on the 23rd Sept and CHANCE TO DANCE winning over the same distance in the Listed Haunui Farms Karaka Classic the next day.

On paper the 4yo GINGERNUTS has the edge sporting Three Group One victories and over $1.2 million in prize money. He also gets 1.5kgs in weight advantage from his rival. The 8yo imported Irish Bred Gelding, CHANCE TO DANCE, will be no pushover however, being the winner of nine races in three countries (Ireland, Australia and NZ) and the winner of close to NZ$500k prize money. From 29 race day starts he has only finished out of the prizemoney four times.  The current betting market has GINGERNUTS, to be ridden by Opie Bosson, a very firm favourite at $2 on Fixed Odds, while CHANCE TO DANCE, ridden by Leith Innes,  is 2nd favourite at $6. To add to the spice, both horses are raced by large syndicates, 45 or so in the GINGERNUTS Syndicate and 78 in the CHANCE TO DANCE syndicate. Watch out for the noise if these two finish up in a two horse war in the run home!!!

Here is the trackwork summary from Tuesday morning

Gingernuts and Chance To Dance confirmed their readiness for Saturday’s Livamol Classic when paired in impressive work at Matamata this morning.

Galloping 18 metres out on a heavy course proper, Gingernuts (Bosson) and Chance To Dance (Pinn) set off at a steady rate and built momentum from the 1200m to run that distance in 1:22.8. Their last 1000m took 1:07.5 and they hit the line together full of running with a final 600m in 39.4.

Co-trainer Stephen Autridge was well satisfied with the stablemates’ final serious hitout ahead of the Hastings Group One. “That was decent work, just right,” he said. “They’re both ready for big runs.

Of course, it it not just a two horse race, with quality proven horses such as Volkstock ‘n’barrell, Authentic Paddy, Sofia Rosa, Mime and Close Up in the mix.

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, takes the NZTR handicapping rules as they are currently framed to task and is featured in a full page article in last week’s Informant.

“The current rules were framed with the best of intentions,” says John, “but there have been unintended consequences. If the Fortuna horse, CHANCE TO DANCE, had run 2nd in the Karaka Classic by a nose, then he, an eight win horse with earnings of over $450,000 and on a Handicap Rating of 101, would be one spot behind ALL IN VOGUE, a four win horse with earnings of $77,000 and a Handicap Rating of just 77, in the Group One Livamol Classic on Saturday and sweating on a start as a result. He did win the Karaka Classic of course and so therefore leapfrogged over a number of other horses with lower Handicap ratings, but that doesn’t make the situation right.” John has called for an urgent review of the rules by the NZTR Handicapping Committee. Click HERE to read the full story.

Big weekend for the Fortuna Malaysian Racing Team

Last Saturday four Fortuna Malaysian based runners, EATONS GOLD, READY FORTUNE, OUR RIVER DANCER, KING SAVINSKY were all set to race on their home track at Penang, however torrential rain saw the meeting canceled and so now all four will race at Ipoh at the Perak Turf Club, this coming weekend.

By Denis Ryan – Editor – The Informant

John Galvin with his champion two-year-old Melody Belle. 

One of the most discussed issues in racing, especially around this time of year, is the set of rules that govern the starting order in major races.

Amongst those in the frontline of that debate right now is John Galvin, the director of authorised syndicator Fortuna whose horse Chance To Dance was balloted out of Saturday’s Gr. 1 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings.

As an option to kick off his season, the Irish-bred gelding started in – and won – the Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic at Pukekohe a day after his stablemate Gingernuts had notched his third Group One win in the Hastings feature.

“I firmly believe that Group racing should be all about the best meeting the best; I imagine it would be hard to get any participant in the racing industry to disagree with that,” says Galvin.

“There may, however, be some who would argue for an exception or two from that general principle. That may well be why, when the NZTR Handicapping Review Committee met in late 2015 to consider rule changes and amendments for Group racing, changes were made that effectively provide advantage to horses on lower ratings over horses on higher ratings in non-handicap Group weight-for-age and set weight and penalty races.”

As Galvin points out, the rules are rather complex, but essentially any horse that has won or placed in a Group One or Two race or won a Group Three or Listed race in the 18 months prior to a Group race they have been nominated for will rank ahead of horses that may be on a higher handicap rating but have not won or placed in black type races as outlined.

For example, a horse with a handicap rating of 90 that has won a Listed race would rank ahead of a horse with a rating of 100 if that horse had not placed at Group One or Two or won a Group Three or Listed race in the previous 18 months.

“You would think that the Handicapping Review Committee would have good reason to make these changes, given that they do push against the basic principle of the best against the best,” says Galvin. “From what I can gather, however, the Committee was swayed by the argument that up and coming four-year-olds who had won Group or Listed Races as three-year-olds would be kept out of some Group races (particularly in the spring) by older horses who had historically high handicap ratings.

“We have to consider that if one group of horses is being favoured over another group in order to achieve a certain outcome, that is unfair on the group who are pushed out.”

“I am not privy to the actual issues considered by the Committee but perhaps they were swayed by arguments that these four-year-olds may choose to race In Australia if they could not make the fields for Group races here, or that their connections may choose to sell to overseas owners, again because they could not get a start in these nice races.

“These arguments do have merit, but we have to consider that if one group of horses is being favoured over another group in order to achieve a certain outcome, firstly that is unfair on the group who are pushed out and, secondly, there may also be unintended consequences.”

Galvin backs his argument by citing the impact of these rules on the Windsor Park Plate. In all 19 horses made the final withdrawal deadline, 14 to start and five on the ballot. The lowest rated horse among the 14 that made the cut had a handicap rating of 90. The two horses ranked 17th and 18th, Chance to Dance and Amarula, had ratings of 101 and 100 respectively.

The 15th and 16th ranked horses, Rock On and Charles Road, had handicap ratings of 85 and 81 respectively, which was significantly below the two horses immediately behind them in order of entry.

The field of 14 contained just two four-year-olds, Gingernuts (rating 105) and Volpe Veloce (94). The rules set by the Handicapping Review Committee were not needed for Gingernuts, whose rating was the third highest, whereas Volpe Veloce was clearly advantaged by the rules.

“Let me hasten to add that these observations are not intended to take aim at any horse or their connections,” said Galvin. “There were two other top four-year-olds, Bonneval and Jon Snow, who would not have had any trouble making the field, but the connections of both had option to pursue their opportunities in Australia instead.

“The point here being is that if these rule changes were designed to make it easier for promising four-year-olds to participate in New Zealand Group racing, but with the exception of Volpe Veloce, there were actually no others that made the final 14.”

Galvin takes his argument further by referring to the “unintended consequences” of the selection criteria

“Of the six starters with handicap ratings lower than Chance to Dance and Amarula, their ratings ranged from 99 down to 90, yet only one was a four-year-old and only one finished in the first six. The first six finishers had ratings ranging from 108 to 99.

“Imagine the reactions of the connections of both Chance to Dance and Amarula, horses with ratings of 101 and 100 respectively. You would certainly think that they would have good reason to feel aggrieved and again I come back the basic principle of ‘best to meet the best.

“As the racing manager of Chance to Dance, I have had great difficulty in trying to explain the reason for these rules to my large group of owners.”

Galvin further states that the scenario around the third and final Group One race of the Hawke’s Bay carnival, the Livamol Classic, paints a similar picture.

“As the Livamol field stands at the moment, the same two horses, Chance to Dance and Amarula are ranked 23rd and 24th on order of entry and I calculate that 13 horses ranked above them are lower rated and only one of those, Charles Road, is a four-year-old.

“Again, I ask if this is fair. I am sure that there will be withdrawals from the field during this coming week, but the point is that these rules seem to be patently wrong and should be reviewed.

“Last Friday I received an email referred to as the NZTR CEO Update, which included the following comments from CEO Bernard Saundry:

“A focus on ownership will be one of NZTR’s priorities over the next 18 months.

Owner participation is the bedrock of our sport. Without owners, there can be no racing.

In the 2017-18 season we will begin a dedicated programme of work, designed to break down the barriers to horse ownership and improve the ownership experience.”

“Exactly Bernard,” responds Galvin, “but let me make my position clear. I am not a breeder, I am not an administrator, but I do represent over 600 people in our various syndications who are “Owners.”

“What I want for these owners is a system of entry into Group races that is fair, transparent and does not seek to advance a certain category of horse up the queue. We should be adopting the basic principle of “the best meeting the best” and applying that principle without fear or favour.”

CHANCE TO DANCE  takes out the Listed Karaka Classic at Pukekohe on his NZ Debut

Now 2nd Favourite for the Livamol Classic at Hastings 7th October

An amazing syndication story – all shares in this horse sold in 8 days – 78 individual Members in the Syndicate

Denied the opportunity to race in the Group One Windsor Park Plate at Hastings on Saturday, the 8yo Irish Bred Gelding, CHANCE TO DANCE (Teofilo-Crystal Ballet) seized the moment  the following day with victory in the Karaka Classic (Listed)  at Pukekohe. Fresh up over 1600 metres and carrying top weight of 60kgs under Handicap conditions on a Heavy 10 track, CHANCE TO DANCE certainly looked vulnerable, as a Fixed Odds Price of $18 on the morning of the race would attest to. Ridden by Opie Bosson, the horse jumped nicely from a good draw and raced mid field, Bosson resisted the option of going wide on the turn, content to stay one out from the rail and wait for openings  to come in the run home. The gaps opened and Bosson urged his willing mount between two horses with just 50 metre to go and prevailed on the line by a neck.

Click HERE to see the race result and replay.

Fortuna Director John Galvin accompanied by more than 30 ecstatic owners was glowing after the race. “This horse has always had a bit of quality about him based on his very good Irish and Australian form – he has thrived here in New Zealand under the new Training Team and we think he has a lot more to give us yet.”

Holding nominations for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, the next race for CHANCE TO DANCE will be the Group One Livamol Classic (2040 metres) at Hastings on 7th October, giving his Trainers, Te Akau Racing’s Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards a strong hand to play in that event, given that they also train race favourite, Gingernuts.

CHANCE TO DANCE, formerly owned by Lloyd Williams, was acquired by Fortuna on the recommendation of Fortuna’s Singapore Trainer, Mark Walker, at the Inglis Chairmans Sale in Sydney in April 2017 for A$260,000. He had his first start in the first running of the 2017 Sydney Cup finishing 2nd in the race, only to find the the race had been declared a “no race” by the Stewards. He finished 5th in the subsequent re-run two weeks later. He is now the winner of eight races from just 29 starts and has career earnings of close to $500,000. He is raced by the Chance to Dance Syndicate, an ownership group of 78 individuals.

KING SAVINSKY makes it six career wins when leading all the way to win at the Penang Turf Club 24th September

Seven Year Old Gelding KING SAVINSKY (Savabeel-Lynisky) led all the way on his home course of Penang in Malaysia.Beautifully rated in front by S Salee, he held on bravely on very heavy track conditions to score his sixth career win, including successes in New Zealand (one), Singapore (three) and Malaysia (two).

KING SAVINSKY is trained at Penang by ex-pat Kiwi conditioner Sharee Hamilton.

Click HERE to see race replays – (Race 5)

KING SAVINSKY was selected and acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndicators at the 2012 Karaka yearling sale for the sum of $95,000 and is raced by the Fortuna King Savinsky Syndicate, an ownership group of  29 individuals

YES, it is a Family Business, Joshua Galvin, aged Two and a bit, accepting the Karaka Classic Trophy at Pukekohe on Saturday

Fortuna runners this week

ITS OUR SHOWTIME at Avondale Wednesday 27th, JACKS SECRET resuming from a break in Singapore on Friday night and EATONS GOLD seeks his 10th career win at the Penang Turf Club on Sunday on Saturday, along with OUR RIVER DANCER, READY FORTUNE and last start winner KING SAVINSKY.