HADEER, the six year old gelding by Savabeel out of A Real Princess, dominated the Feature race on the programme, the Class 3 1200m, making it three wins in a row for this talented galloper. Ridden once again by Te Akau apprentice Jerlyn Seow, Singapore’s only female rider, he had drawn the ace barrier – Jerlyn got him away well and held the rail, although he wasn’t given any peace in the run by My Dreamliner, who was determined to take him on. Turning for home however, Jerlyn kicked HADEER clear and he was never threatened in the run home, going to the line with a 3 length margin

Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna director John Galvin, watching from his New Zealand home was very satisfied after watching the resounding victory “Big test for this horse today going to Class 3 for the first time and he didn’t get a lot of peace in the run, but once again, he showed his class and was way too good. Well done to Mark Walker and a lovely ride again by Jerlyn, she really has this horse humming.”

Hadeer – makes it 3 in a row at Kranji 25th September 2021

Trainer Mark Walker was very happy with the Hadeer victory “Fantastic result, this horse really continues to lift his game, lovely ride by Jerlyn, who got a double today. Congrats to  John Galvin and his Fortuna NZ Stable team – Hadeer’s win was their 15th win here in  Singapore for 2021 – they are great supporters of our stable”

HADEER was a winner in Australia at Pakenham in August of 2019 for his  owners at the time, Shadwell Stud. He was acquired by Jessica Galvin, on the recommendation of Mark Walker, at the October 2019 Inglis Sale for A$22,500 – as a Yearling offered at the Inglis 2017 Easter Sale HADEER had fetched A$620,000 for his prominent NZ breeder, the Taupo based John Bromley.

HADEER is raced by the Fortuna Hadeer Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 46 individuals and has now had 4 wins, and several minor placings from 14 raceday starts in Singapore, accumulating  S$135,000 in prizemoney to date

Fortuna has one runner Saturday 18^th September in NZ, five in Singapore the same day and one at Te Aroha Sunday 19th

New Zealand

Khafeef starts at  Awapuni on Saturday in the Rating 65 2200 – race four at 2.03pm -running a nice 4th over 1600 on resuming at Hawera recently, the extra distance will suit him perfectly – does have a heavy track to contend with which could be a concern but if he handles the track he can certainly feature

Charmaine’s Dream is set to resume at Tauranga Sunday, 26 September in the Rating 65 1200 – race eight at 4:05pm and is to be ridden by Michael Mcnab from barrier one – track is heavy though which is a concern and she may not take her place if trainer Jamie Richards considers the track is too heavy for her. She is a talented galloper who has won on the track before probably does need reasonable track conditions to shine and will take improvement from the race if she does run

Singapore

Hidden Promise is in the Class five 1600 Turf  – race one at 4 pm – will be ridden by Shafiq Rusof – this horse is always a chance in the sort of race and has been racing in great recent form – has a slightly tricky draw to overcome but if he can do so is certainly a good each way chance

King Arthur contests the Open Maiden 1000m Poly – race four at 5:30 pm – to  be ridden by Shafiq – once again has an extremely tricky barrier draw to contend with, however he will be ridden positively from the gates – needs an ounce of luck, but if he gets it is certainly good enough to feature in this race

Here is what the  STC tipsters say about this race

1st Pick: KONAN (8)

Four-year-old son of Nicconi out of an unraced Magic Albert mare and is a half-brother to a sprint winner over 1181m. He has won a couple of trials and has looked good in both. This race lacks a little bit of depth outside of the top two or three chances and it could pay to stick with this newcomer.

2nd Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (11)

Has been expensive to follow this mare. Turned over at odds of $9, $8 and $7 most recently behind Master Player (has won again since). She is well drawn to go forward and does have the best form in the book. Take a little on trust, though.

3rd Pick: MELLAD (1)

Interesting runner back on the turf and finds an easier race to tackle here. Went close to winning in the UK on turf and should be included here.

4th Pick: KING ARTHUR (2)

Has a shocker of a barrier here but comes into this in good order and is one for the multiples

Marcus Antonius is in the Class five 1600 Turf – race six at 6:30 pm and will be ridden by Shafiq – has drawn very wide in this race and so will need a lot of luck, however will be ridden positively from the gates to take up a better than midfield position – if he does get good luck in the running he can certainly feature given his good recent form

Hadeer races in the Class three 1200 Turf – race nine at 8 pm – this strapping son of Savabeel has been a revelation in recent times in Singapore winning his last two races from the front with good winning margins – up to class three this time will certainly test him, but has drawn the ace barrier which will suit his racing style perfectly and to be ridden again by Jerlyn Seow claiming 4 kgs, bringing his carried weight down to 50 kg – presents as a strong each way chance and can win

Here is what the  STC tipsters say about this race

1st Pick: HADEER (5)

All three of his career victories in Singapore have come at this distance. Looking for a hat-trick of wins here today.

2nd Pick: STARLIGHT (2)

Winner of the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic two starts ago and can look to bounce back from a disappointing run last start where he pulled hard.

3rd Pick: PATTAYA (7)

Has an impressive record over the course and distance. Has had a couple of nice trials leading up to this.

4th Pick: WATER ROCKET (10)

Back to winning ways last start in a weaker grade but was dominant. Has been placed in this grade and should figure here.

Elliot Ness starts in the Class four 1000m Poly – race 10 at 8:30 pm and will be ridden by Singapore‘s leading jockey, apprentice K Hakim, who claims 2 kilograms and will jump from barrier 2 in this race – slightly disappointing at his resuming run three weeks ago, he has taken big improvement from that race – his winning race earlier this season was in track record time   Gets a lovely draw here and a top rider aboard – should prove very hard to beat

Here is what the  STC tipsters say about this race

1st Pick: ROMANTIC (4)

Back from a freshen-up. Might find this a tad sharp, but if they roll along early, he can finish over the top of them.

2nd Pick: HEADHUNTER (3)

Tried hard last time out. Drops back to 1000m. Only query is the horror gate. Tongue-tie on. If he can overcome that, he is worth following again.

3rd Pick: ELLIOT NESS (8)

Has not quite lived up to promise, but to his credit, he did have an uninterrupted run a few times. Lovely barrier. Can bounce back.

4th Pick: MAGNIFIQUE (1)

In his element here. Usually races up with pace but may get caught wide from awkward alley. Still looks the goods for a place on board.

Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

Tuesday 21^st

 Thick fog prevented times today

Ragamuffin (R Khan) galloped over an easy 800 metres.

Madame Moet (H Durrant) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres.

Mohawk Brave (C Thornton) galloped over an easy 800 metres.

No Fortuna timed trackwork Thursday 23^rd

Other News

Fortuna’s BEAU GESTE wins Open Steeplechase at Wanganui 23^rd Sept by an incredible 38 lengths – Read More

Fortuna 7yo Beau Geste turned heads when winning the Open Steeple at Wanganui  by a whisker under 38 lengths at his first attempt at Steeplechasing. The winner of two of his four Hurdles races to date, the Kevin Myers trained son of Pour Moi out of Villa Wanda, in the hands of regular rider, the 18yo Dean Parker, put his foot down from the 800m mark and just kept getting further and further in front, the result being the biggest winning margin in NZ for over 5 years.

Click HERE to see race replay

BEAU GESTE in full flight – Wanganui – 23rd September 2021

Bred by Kevin Hickman and acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the NZ Bloodstock 2016 Yearling sale (the same sale that Melody Belle was acquired at) for $32,500, Beau Geste, who is a ¾ brother to the multiple Group One winner, Wall Street, had his first two career wins in the hands of Jamie Richards, but when it became apparent that jumping may be his game, his ownership group transferred him to the Kevin Myers Stable, from which he has now scored 4 raceday wins since 9^th May, three over the fences, one on the flat.

“That was amazing to watch,” said Fortuna Syndications Director, John Galvin, “he clearly has great jumping ability and good tactical speed – all going well his next race will be the Great Northern Hurdles at Te Aroha 3^rdOctober

Beau Geste, who carries the stable name “Wolf”, is raced by the Fortuna Beau Geste Syndicate an ownership group of 23 individuals. He has now won 6 races from 29 starts and $67,000 in prize money

5yo Gelding BRUTUS (Rubick – Harvest Queen) does not make a habit of regularly saluting the judge – indeed it was 364 days since his last (and first) Singapore win, but in the 12 intervening starts, he had finished in 9 prize money winning placings, so has been a model of consistency.

Back to Class 5 for this event was a positive, but drawing wide over the 1200m trip required equally positive tactics – the ride had been entrusted to Te Akau Apprentice and Singapore’s current leading rider, K Hakim and he and horse followed the plan to script, leaving the barrier well and pushing forward – two of the inside runners would not hand up easily though and BRUTUS had to do a bit of work to get to the front – Hakim was able to give him a bit of a breather during the run and he was clear on turning, however the challengers were starting to appear, particularly from the Michael Clements trained Shadow, who was looming large on the outside with about 300m to run – BRUTUS, under a strong ride from Hakim, fought back however, staved off the challenge and went to the line winning by a long neck.

 Click HERE to see the race replay

 BRUTUS – Wins in Singapore 18th September 2021

Trainer, Mark Walker, who produced 3 winners on the day and has now gone to a clear lead in the Singapore Trainers Premiership expressed some relief after the race  “On paper, this horse looked a moral to win this race, but he had a tricky draw and he does prefer to be ridden quietly – however we decided to have a throw at the stumps and go forward – that plan was executed perfectly by Hakim, who is riding like a man possessed and we got the job done – well done to John Galvin and his Fortuna Team – they are a major influence in the Te Akau Singapore Stable, they have had 14 wins in Singapore in 2021 and deserve every success they get.”

Fortuna Director, John  Galvin, watching from his home in New Zealand, was a happy man post race ”That was a very satisfying result – Brutus very rarely runs a bad race, but just has not had a lot of luck in recent starts – today the birdie was on his shoulder and aided by a top ride from Hakim. Big kudos to Trainer, Mark Walker and his team, Mark is a trainer at the top of his game and we are having a great season together.”

Brutus (Rubick-Harvest Queen) was acquired by John Galvin at the May 2019 Inglis Digital Sale for A$45,000 and he has now won approximately S$148,000 for his 46 member strong ownership group, the Fortuna Brutus Syndicate, a syndicate with Members from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the UK

Fortuna has three runners Saturday 18^th September in Singapore 

Singapore

Brutus is in the Class five 1200 Turf  – race one at 4pm NZT –  it has been a while since Brutus won a race however he very rarely  runs a bad one and has not had a lot of luck with barrier draws in recent times – once again he draws out, but is back to Class five which will be much easier for him and is back on the Turf which will suit him as well and Singapore‘s leading rider K Hakim takes 2kgs off his back –  with a bit of luck from the draw represents as a strong each way chance here

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race:

1st Pick: BRUTUS (1)

Very interesting runner here. Makes his Class 5 debut and from our leading stable. One to watch for any market support.

2nd Pick: MIRACLE (2)

Meets a suitable race this week and his lone career victory came over this course and distance. So must be respected.

3rd Pick: VOLUNTAD (9)

Proven performer for a race like this. Only a one-time winner but looked handy winning in this grade last start.

4th Pick: SUN RECTITUDE (3)

Drops back to Class 5 after competing in a higher grade. Last time in this grade he beat Lucky Jinsha who has scored twice since.

Red Rover is in the Class 4 1200 Polytrack – Race 5 at 5pm – he has not won a race for two years but he did win three in a row in 2019.  Has not had the rub of the green when he has got to the races in recent times and has to be taken on trust here. Mohd Zaki takes the mount and from his wider draw will be taken to the lead if possible – this is his favourite running position and if he can lead he can also feature

Federation is in the feature race of the day the Kranji A Stakes 1200m Turf – race 9 at 8pm – he is running out of his grade here and will probably be outclassed, however this is a stepping stone race for him ahead of the Class three 1400m event in three weeks time. Gets the services of quality senior rider Harry Kasim and has a feather weight to carry – is a sneaky chance of running into a place

Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

Tuesday 14th September

Navalha (S Pillay) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres in 1 minute, last 600 in 44.8.

No Fortuna timed trackwork Thursday 16^th

Entertainer (5yo Zoustar-Laughing) once again proved too dominant over Polytrack Sprint trips at Kranji, when leading all the way to take out the Class 3 1100m event 11th September. Having just his 2nd start at Class 3 level (running 4th off a wide draw in Class 3 1000m two weeks ago), and having drawn barrier 4 this time, instructions to Singapore’s leading rider Hakim Kamaruddin were very clear “go to the front and try and lead all the way”, this being Entertainer’s proven winning pattern. Hakim executed perfectly, getting to the lead, traveling nicely in the run and turning for home under no pressure – the challengers were coming though, but Hakim kept “Joker” up to his work in the run to the post and went to the line clear by half a length in the smart time of 1.04.85. Remarkably, that is Entertainer’s 5th win from just seven starts in 2021 and all have been at the 1100m trip on the Polytrack

Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna‘s Singapore trainer, Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker, was very pleased “that was brilliant to watch – it is always a challenge to step from Class 4 to Class 3 and win, but this horse just keeps improving – well handled by Hakim who has now won 3 times on him. Great result for John Galvin and his Fortuna Stable Team, that is their 13th win in Singapore for 2021 ”

ENTERTAINER – 5th Singapore Win 11th September 2021

Fortuna Director John Galvin, watching from his home in New Zealand was very satisfied “Entertainer is doing a great job for us – he was a bit weak in his first preparation during 2020, but has now won 5  from 7 in 2021, so is going the right way for sure. Mark Walker is a Trainer at the top of his game and is handling this horse superbly. Hakim did his usual professional job and is clearly making great strides in his riding career”

Hakim Kamaruddin after dismounting Entertainer

Entertainer was acquired by Mark Walker on behalf of Fortuna at the Inglis Digital sale in December 2019 for A$20,000 – he has now won five races from eleven starts in Singapore and accumulated S$148,000 in prizemoney, a great return on investment for his ownership group

Entertainer is raced by the Fortuna Entertainer Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 51 individuals from NZ and Australia

Fortuna has five runners Saturday 11^th September – all in Singapore

Singapore

Hidden Promise contest the Class 5 1600m Poly – race one at 5 pm New Zealand time – this seemingly ageless nine-year-old hardly ever runs a bad race, is a six time winner in Singapore,  was a close-up 3^rd at his last start in a similar race  – Shafiq Rusof to ride – sure to be competitive again this week

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters say about this race;

King Arthur is in the Open Maiden 1000m Poly – still a maiden but has shown a lot of promise – back in grade this week he has a difficult draw to contend with, but does seem to have a class edge on the field – has leading Singapore rider Hakim in the saddle with a 2kg claim and could  be hard to beat.

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters say about this race;

Marcus Antonius races in the Class 5 1600m – race six at 6:30pm – is a dour staying type who is back in trip, with Shafiq to ride – has drawn an outside gate so will need a bit of luck but will be running on strongly at the finish – place chance

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters say about this race;

Sportscaster is also in race six at 6:30 pm and also has an outside gate although that will suit his style of racing – Stable apprentice Jerlyn Seow takes 4kgs off his back – has won four times in Singapore –  is hard to catch but with the right run can feature in this race

Entertainer is in race 10 the Class three 1100m Poly – this horse has won 4 times in 2021 – resumed this grade 2 weeks ago and ran a bold placing off a wide draw – loves to lead and gets a much better draw this week – Hakim in the saddle taking 2 kg of his back – is bound to be right up on the speed and represents a strong threat to this field at odds

Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

No timed trackwork Fortuna runners this week

Fortuna galloper BEAU GESTE won his 2nd Hurdles race at just his 4th attempt, in stylish fashion at Te Aroha 5th September, providing his ownership group with a nice Father’s Day present. Backing up from a solid 4th placing on the flat in the Jumpers Highweight four days previously at Matamata, Beau Geste, ridden by 18-year-old apprentice Dean Parker, had only three rivals to contend with in this Open Hurdles event, but one of them was his well performed stablemate, Mizzena, who had won both of her previous two starts over Hurdles and was sent out a $1.50 favourite. It was the John Wheeler runner, Remarx, however, who set a solid tempo, getting out to a 10 length lead with a bit over a round to go – Parker set out to narrow the gap and gradually worked closer – on turning for home Remarx was about a length to the good of his rival, but Beau Geste was bridging the gap steadily, with Mizzena about three lengths back and under a bit of a ride. Jumping the last together, Remarx still held a slight edge, but Beau Geste would not be denied and got the better of his rival in the closing strides, winning by a long neck

Click HERE to see the race result and replay

Trainer, Kevin Myers, was pretty happy with his charge “he is going well this horse in his first season of jumping – he has taken everything we have thrown at him and has taken it all in his stride – he will be an even better jumper next season”

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, who was watching the race on Trackside TV from his Hamilton home, said “that was exciting to watch – he ran nicely at Riccarton in two Hurdles races (including the Grand National) for a 2nd and a 4th on a Heavy Track – the firmer track today suited him nicely I think – kudos to Kevin Myers, who has got this horse going great and thanks also to Dean Parker, who has now won twice on Beau Geste for us”

Beau Geste, who carries the stable name “Wolf”, boasts an impressive pedigree, with his Sire being the English Derby winner, Pour Moi and out of the mare Villa Wanda, this making him a three-quarter brother to the multiple group one winning Wall Street. 

Bred by Kevin Hickman, Beau Geste was selected by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2016 Karaka Premier Yearling sale for $32,500 – he is raced by the Fortuna Beau Geste Syndicate an ownership group of 23 individuals. He has now won 5 races from 28 starts and $55,000 in prize money

Beau Geste was strapped by Caley Myers

Fortuna has three  runners in NZ Friday, Sunday and Monday  and 4 in Singapore (but two are on ballot and need scratchings in Singapore

New Zealand

Khafeef resumes at Hawera Friday 3rd of September r in the rating 65 1600m event  -race seven at 3:02 pm-  last raced in May but has trialed and is very fit -does have a difficult draw in this event but has the benefit of a 2kg apprentice rider claim – has shown form in this sort of event before and could feature with the right run

Beau Geste contests the Open Hurdles at Te Aroha on Sunday – race 3 at 1pm – ran 4^th in the Grand National Hurrdles and was 4^th on  the flat Matamata last Wednesday – talented jumper, small field – is right in this

Leaderboard resumes at Ashburton on Monday, 6 September in the Open 1600 – strong winning performances at his two previous starts in the Autumn and two nice trials after a good spell would indicate that he is up to the task here – on a path to the NZ Cup in November and may need this run but can feature

Singapore

Brutus runs in the class 4 1000m Polytrack – race three at 5 pm – running good races without winning he gets his chance here with senior rider Harry Kasim aboard  – does have a tricky barrier to contend with but with the right run can feature.

Sportscaster is in the class 5 1700m Polytrack event  – race nine at 8 pm – but does need a scratching to get a start – has drawn very wide which probably suits him anyway and if he does get a run can  run into the money

Marcus Antonius is also in race nine but needs two scratchings to get a start – a dour staying type he can feature in the unlikely event that he gets a start

Elliot Ness runs in the class 4 1000 Polytrack – race 11 at 9 pm – setting a track record three starts back he disappointed at his last start but has since been freshened – has drawn perfectly in Barrier 2, gets the benefit of Singapore‘s leading rider K Hakim and the benefit of his 2 kg claim – can win

“Elliot Ness” – Debut win Singapore in track record time – 24th April 2021

Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

No timed trackwork Fortuna runners this week

Fortuna launches Fathers Day “Special” – 10% off current Syndication opportunity

Here we go – Father’s Day is coming up and what better way to celebrate Dad’s day (be it your hubby, your Dad or even just Dad himself) than acquiring a share in a Fortuna syndicated racehorse, particularly when there is a 10% discount – right now we have just one option available, that is the 3yo Gelding, BRIGGS, who is in work with Mark Walker in Singapore and expected to make his raceday debut mid to late November 2021

Just $864 (with discount) for each 1% share and $40 per month ongoing from 1 October – only 25% left so be quick if you want to get involved!!

Click HERE to read all about Briggs and purchase shares online

  Briggs – in Singapore 6th August

When ordering through the website please enter the code “dads” in the coupon code area on the order page and click “apply coupon”

Fortuna has five runners this weekend of 28/29 August- 2 in NZ  and 3 in Singapore

New Zealand

(Note NZ racing will only take place if we are at Level 3)

Khafeef races at Awapuni on Saturday – he is in the rating 65 benchmark 1550 meter event (race eight at 3:02pm) and will be ridden by apprentice Liam Kauri claiming 4kgs –  drawn nicely in barrier 2, this is a resuming run for him ,but seems to have found a weak field here – can certainly finish among the place getters with the right run

Beau Geste races at Matamata on Sunday –  he is in race two at 11:40am – the rating 74 and jumpers highweight 2600m event – going back to the flat after two recent hurdle starts at Riccarton, he gets in on the minimum here with rider Dean Parker claiming a further three kgs off his back – drawn nicely in barrier 4 he is rock hard fit and can certainly feature in this event

Singapore

Sportscaster will contest the class five 1200 polytrack event – (race six at 6:30pm) with Te Akau stable apprentice and Singapore’ leading rider K Hakim to ride claiming 2kg – drawn nicely for this trip which is probably too short for him but blinkers pacifiers go on – can give a good showing if he gets the right run – capable of running in the first four

Hidden Promise contest the class five 1600 polytrack event –  (race seven at 7 pm) – also to be ridden by Hakim he jumps from barrier 2 and will carry just 53.5 with the claim – won at this trip emphatically from a similar barrier two starts ago and is a definite each way chance here

Entertainer is in race 10 at 8.30pm – the class 4 1000m Polytrack event – this horse has certainly entertained us winning four of his last five race day starts since January – goes up to class three here which he will find much tougher – has had a nice freshen up, does have a difficult draw to contend with, however he is a natural front runner, has Hakim in the saddle with a very valuable 2 kg claim bringing his carried weight down to 51.5 – if he gets his own way in front he can be writing this at the finish

Entertainer makes it 4 wins in Singapore – 12th June 2021

Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata

No timed trackwork Fortuna runners this week