Trainer Jason Bridgman and Fortuna Director John Galvin, didn’t have to agonise too much about throwing 3yo Gelding, KING SAVINSKY ( Savabeel-Lynisky) into the deep end by entering him into the Hollaway Canterbury Stakes ( Listed) at Riccarton this weekend. While still a Maidener, KING SAVINSKY has run two strong seconds in his last two runs at Ruakaka and Taupo, with a bit of bad luck on both occasions. ” Yes, it is a big step up in class for the horse,” says John Galvin,” but he has shown us enough both in his work and on race day to be given the opportunity at this level. It is certainly an excellent chance for him to demonstrate that he is up to the class.” 

A big, strong, powerful type standing at 16.3 hands, KING SAVINSKY does look  more of a 2000 metre plus type, but will be well suited by the big roomy Riccarton track on Saturday.

Selected for Fortuna by David Ellis at Karaka 2012 Select Sale, KING SAVINSKY is raced by an ownership group consisting of 35 people. He will be ridden by Jillian Morris.

Two FORTUNA runners, who have enjoyed winning success in Singapore in recent weeks, face the starter again this coming Sunday and both horses have good opportunities to extend their success.

First away is the well performed LORD ROBERTO, who has won three time in Singapore already. He finished a very creditable 4th over 1600 metres last time after previously winning at 1700 metres. This week, he steps up to the more suitable 1800 metre distance in a Class 4 event ( Race 3 6.45pm NZ time) on the Polytrack. 2012/13 season NZ Champion jockey, Lisa Allpress, who is really making her mark in Singapore, takes the mount again.

In race 10 at 10.30pm NZ time, MANNY PACUIAO steps out in a Kranji Stakes D race over 1200 metres. A last to first winner in August, MANNY PACUIAO has not enjoyed a lot of luck in his starts since, but this time has the Ace barrier draw and the world class rider, Corey Brown, in the saddle.

A big weekend ahead for the FORTUNA NZ Racing team with three runners Friday night in Singapore and two more on Sunday.

First off the block on Friday night in Race 2 is 3yo OUR RIVER DANCER in a Restricted Maiden event over 1200 metres. HUNTER as he is nicknamed is still chasing his first win in Singapore and does have a difficult barrier draw to contend with. Will be ridden by Stable Apprentice Shafiq Rusof.

Race 3 sees last start winner LORD ROBERTO backing up after a dominant display last week. To be ridden again by Lisa Allpress this lovely big 5yo will contest a Class 4 event over 1600 metres. Has a tricky draw to contend with but does represent a big threat in this race.

Finally in Race 6, the in form MANNY PACUIAO has drawn beautifully in gate 3 for this Class 4 1200 metre event and will be ridden my the “Magic Man” Singapore Champion jockey, Joao Moreira. He is bound to be very competitive in this race.

Sunday evening, NZ time sees 4yo READY FORTUNE contest a Kranji D Stakes race over 14oo metres on the Turf track. Probably a tad short of his ideal distance, but has drawn nicely and will be storming home at the finish in the hands of Shafiq Rusof.

Finally, in Race 12, JETSET MAN steps up to a 1400 metre trip on the Turf track. Drawn out wide but carries a featherweight of 50.5kgs in this Class 4 event. Stable Apprentice Willy Tan takes the mount claiming 3kgs.

Story courtesy of Craig Brennan and Singapore Turf Club.

A step up in distance and a return to the Polytrack paved the way to victory for Lord Roberto in the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1700m on the Polytrack on Friday night.

In-form jockey Lisa Allpress steers Lord Roberto to a smart win in Race 3 on Friday night.

Turning for home Casino King threw a scare into those chasing as he snuck a two length lead on the chasing pack, but Allpress got to work on Lord Roberto who began to chase gamely, getting on terms with the leader at the 150m mark and proving too strong in the run home.

LORD ROBERTO, the 5yo son of Encosta De Lago-Prized Glory, already a two time winner  in Singapore steps up to 1700 metres for his 3rd run back from a spell Friday night. His first two resuming runs had merit but at 1200 metres and 1400 metres respectively, were too short for him, so he will appreciate the extra distance. He will be ridden by the 2013 Champion NZ Jockey, but now Singapore based, Lisa Allpress in race 3 11.20pm NZ time.

In Race 9 2.20am NZ time, Saturday morning., JETSET MAN ( Golan-Jetset Doll) is second run back from a spell over 1200 metres in a Class 4 event. He will also be ridden by Lisa Allpress, whose skills will be tested as he has drawn wide at the barrier and will need some luck in the running.

Promising 3yo Gelding SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) franked his trial form with a solid 2 length win in a Maiden 1350 metre event at Gisborne today. Ridden beautifully by Matt Cameron, SIR DARCI raced in behind the leaders, pulled out to challenge as they turned and in the end was too powerful for his opposition.

SIR DARCI is trained by Te Akau Racing’s Jason Bridgman and was selected on behalf of Fortuna at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale by David Ellis from the draft of the Oaks Stud. He is raced by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, a grouping of 34 individuals.

A busy Sunday of racing for the FORTUNA team with runners in NZ and Singapore.

First away is the promising 3yo Gelding SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant). SIR DARCI made his race day debut at Taupo two weeks ago but was badly hampered by an errant runner as they turned for home and had to be severely restrained. He took no harm from the incident, has trained on nicely since and gets a fresh opportunity to show his ability in a Maiden 1350 metre event ( Race 6 @ 3.05), Mathew Cameron to ride.

Later in the day 5yo VON SNITZEL races in Singapore in a Novice Grade event ( Race 3 @5.45pm NZ time) over 1000 metres; stable apprentice Jimmy Kek takes 4kgs off his back; and then the improving LUCKY GUY, who ran a nice 2nd placing last time out, gets his chance ( Race 7 @ 7.50pm) in an Initiation Grade event over 1100 metres. Shafiq Rusof to ride claiming 2kgs.

A busy weekend lies ahead for FORTUNA Director, John Galvin as he monitors the performances of seven of his charges over the weekend.

Friday night in Singapore, VON SNITZEL, JETSET MAN and MANNY PACUIAO take centre stage.

Saturday, at Ruakaka, the promising 3yo KING SAVINSKY makes his 3yo debut over 1400 metres.

Sunday in Singapore, it is the turn of three time winner EATONS GOLD, two time winner LORD ROBERTO and the yet to win, but promising,  OUR RIVER DANCER.

Promising Fortuna 3yo SIR DARCI ( Darci Brahma-Dominant) makes his much awaited race day debut in a Maiden 3yo event at Taupo  Race 3 @ 1.49pm) Monday 9th. SIR DARCI was a very impressive trial winner at Te Teko 6th August. Raced by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, SIR DARCI was acquired from the draft of the Oaks Stud at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sales. He has drawn the ace barrier and will be ridden by Kelly Myers; Trainer, Jason Bridgman, is very happy with his charge pre race.

Earlier in the day and dependent on some more scratchings in order to make the field, 4yo Mare, SING LIKE ELLA (Danasinga-Fitzgerelda) will make her first start as a 4yo in a Maiden 1000 metre event. SING LIKE ELLA, a 2011 Ready to Run Sale Graduate,  had four starts as a 3yo for one third placing. She has a difficult draw to over come on the tight Taupo track and will be ridden by Te Akau Racing’s new apprentice Michael Dee.

FORTUNA 2yo Filly DARCI’S DREAM ( Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby) showed a great turn of foot when making her trials debut over 600 metres at te Teko Tuesday 27th August. Drawn wide at the barrier, she flew the gates, went straight to the lead, railed the corner like a real professional and ran to the line untested by the opposition. “A real natural Two year Old with heaps of ability” declared rider Mathew Cameron after the trial.

DARCI’S DREAM was acquired at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale by Fortuna Director, John Galvin and is raced by the Fortuna Darci’s Dream Syndicate, made up of 28 Members.