Fortuna Director John Galvin was at Ashburton on Saturday when the first cancelation occurred and with Jason Bridgman when the photo below was taken. The race meeting was rescheduled but then canceled again today. Why you may ask? Well, the comments below from David Ellis hit the nail right on the head

David Ellis comments on the Ashburton situation as follows:

“I have this to say about the Ashburton track –

There simply was not enough water put on the track in the last two weeks and with the wind that has been experienced, you can see quite clearly that the water wasn’t getting across the whole track. Jason took a photo of the irrigation working on Saturday after the races were called off and you can clearly see with the wind that the water wasn’t getting across the entire track.

The outcome of this is that you get the effect of having two or three metres of rock-hard surface which is absolutely not ideal. The track actually had a penetrometer reading of four once you came out into the middle of the track. Now a lot of people will say “what happens if you water the track and the rain comes?” – meaning that the track is then a six when it should ideally be somewhere between a three and a four. My answer to that is “yes okay it is a six but we are racing – not abandoning race days!”

Sometimes I think that our racing administrators have no idea just how expensive it is to have these cancellations – in our case we transported three horses from Riccarton to Ashburton. We had Jason Bridgman and Matthew Cameron who both flew from Auckland to Christchurch and then had to get cars to drive to Ashburton. Not forgetting a number of our owners who had also made the expensive trip to be on course to cheer their fillies on.

We are really relying on our clubs to deliver on a track that will sustain some rain.

In New Zealand racing generally speaking there are two groups of trainers – one is age group trainers and the other is trainers who specialise in training horses that in general terms do not do a lot of racing until they are four, five or six. To clarify where I am coming from, I guess you would say that Te Akau is an age group stable – we have horses in most of the major 2YO and 3YO races.

However there is the other group and you can think of a few who readily spring to mind – as trainers of mostly older horses – these trainers seldom have horses in major 2YO and 3YO races. Those types of older horses that they train are tough, dour types that can sustain rock-hard tracks in most cases.

However if 2YOs and 3YOs are going to get through the entire season of racing which is what the powers that be should be encouraging, they need to have a track with the give out of it. For example a 3YO today is meant to race at Hawkes Bay in October, run in the Guineas at Riccarton in November, be ready to back up for Christmas racing at Ellerslie in December/January and then hopefully get to the Derby or Oaks in March. Horses can only cope with this sort of preparation if the tracks have some give in them because the modern thoroughbred today simply jars up or goes shin-sore if the tracks are rock-hard. Whereas many older horses seem to be able to handle it.

So you have a situation where half the trainers want the track rock hard and half want the track with the jar out of it. I think the bottom line is that New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing policy should be that for summer racing, the Clubs prepare a track to provide for a reading of 4 for the morning of the races, that dries out by the middle of the card to a 3 – so a penetrometer of say between a 3 and a 4. This way if there is a shower on the day, tracks will sustain racing and the massive costs of commencing a race meeting and having one race before the fixture is abandoned does not keep occurring.

So to the trainers who are against watering I say – you need to look at the bigger picture and we can only avoid cancellations like Saturday by having good irrigation systems that cover the entire track.

The argument about what is best – age group racing versus older horses – is quite one-sided. In New Zealand it is just not financially viable to wait to assess horses until they are 4, 5 or 6YOs. The stake money in New Zealand is all around 2YO and 3YO racing. What I like most of all, is if you get a really good 3YO all the races they are in are at set weights so you don’t have to keep bleating on about whether the handicapper has done a good or bad thing for your horse – you just get on with it.

Of course the big money in New Zealand racing is in races like the NZB 1000 Guineas which has a stake of $300,000, the 2000 Guineas of $400,000, the Oaks which is $300,000 and the Derby which is $750,000 – those set weight races are what we are trying to win.”

Flaming and Darci’s Dream have the task of upholding a proud stable record in Saturday’s Listed $50,000 Ray Coupland Stakes.

Matamata’s Te Akau Racing has won the Ashburton three-year-old feature six times, three of them under current trainer Jason Bridgman.

“It’s been a great race to us and a good race for me. In my four years at Te Akau, I’ve won it three times and Rock ‘n’ Pop threw the race away when he finished second to Shuka. He shied out and veered wide and lost a fair bit of ground,” Bridgman said.

“It’s a nice lead-up to the Guineas races at Riccarton. It’s doesn’t have the same pressure of the Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa and it’s treated our horses well.”

Bridgman’s previous winners were King’s Rose in 2010, Abidewithme in 2012 and Costa Viva in 2013, while Te Akau earlier won with King’s Chapel in 2003, Sea Saint in 2005 and Princess Coup in 2006.

King’s Chapel progressed to Gr. 1 2000 Guineas success, while King’s Rose and Costa Viva went on to win the Gr. 1 1000 Guineas, the race in the sights of Flaming and Darci’s Dream.

Both fillies bring strong form, with Flaming finishing second to Group One winner O’Marilyn resuming in the Gr. 3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings last month and Darci’s Dream winning both her starts as a three-year-old, following a first-up win at Taupo with success in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton.

“Darci’s Dream looks near her peak now, condition-wise, but she’d probably prefer a bit more moisture around,” Bridgman said.

“Flaming has shown more class on top of the ground, but they are both live chances. Darci’s Dream has probably got the edge fitness-wise but Flaming has got the better form credentials, coming out of a good run in the Gold Trail Stakes. It’s going to be a good match-up because there’s not much between them.” – NZ Racing Desk
Domestic News
Club News

Does it get better than this? By a leading European First Season Stallion out of a ZABEEL mare.

Yes, ITS SHOWTIME. Released for public syndication is this beautiful, strong filly by up and coming Stallion SHOWCASING. An extremely fast racehorse in Europe, SHOWCASING carries the blood of some of the great Stallions of the last 50 years, OASIS DREAM, GREEN DESERT, DANZIG and DANCING BRAVE. His Stud career is off to a flying start in Europe, currently he is one of the leading First Season Sire in Europe. Read More HERE on that.

But wait there is more. This filly whom we have named ITS SHOWTIME, is out of the ZABEEL mare, BE INSPIRED.   As we know ZABEEL has proven to be a mighty sire of broodmares with his wonderful staying blood a strong influence on the race track performance of their progeny

Turning to ITS SHOWTIME herself, she is a wonderful physical specimen. Foaled 5th November 2012, she is now a Two Year old and stands 16 hands tall, is physically correct and has a dream temperament. She has been broken in and has commenced her first training preparation. Originally identified by David Ellis and John Galvin as an ideal type for Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications, they had her on their short list at the Karaka Sale but was passed in at the Sale below the Vendor’s reserve.. David and John have continued to pursue acquisition and now that has been achieved.

Click HERE to watch Video clip of this lovely filly parading. Here is David Ellis description of ITS SHOWTIME,“This is a beautiful filly with good size and strength, a deep girth, a lovely walk and physically correct. She will develop into a lovely 3yo filly  and as an older racemare”

Closely related to 2012/13 Filly of the Year, FIX (Iffraaj) and the Australian Group One winner, FORETELLER (Dansili), ITS SHOWTIME will be trained by Jason Bridgman of Te Akau Racing Stables.

A 10% share can be acquired in ITS SHOWTIME  for $14,000, a 5% share for $7,000 and a 2.5% share for $3,500. These initial costs include the cost of the horse, GST, Sales and Promoters Fees,  Insurance Premium through to 31st January 2016 and  $20k of working capital. Monthly Ongoing costs which commence 1st February 2015 are $300 per  10% share, $150  per 5% share and $75  per 2.5% share.

Applications can only be made after Investors have perused and signed the NZ Thoroughbred Racing approved Disclosure Statement. This can be obtained from Fortuna Director, John Galvin by emailing HERE or calling John on (+64) 21 921 460.

Fortuna Ltd is an Authorised Syndicator in accordance with the Code of Practice established under The ( New Zealand) Securities Act (Bloodstock) Exemption Notice 2002

Simply outstanding results delivered by Savabeel progeny yesterday in Group One events both side of the Tasman. In the Group One Livamol Classic at Hastings (2000 metres) 5yo Mare, COSTUME, showed that her previous Group One victory in the 200 metre Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa in Februarury was no fluke, when she stretched out her nose at the right time to win the $250,000 event by half a head. Stablemate, SORIANO, also a 5yo Mare by Savabeel was another half head away, running third. Later in the day, at Flemington, the Savabeel 4yo mare, LUCIA VALENTINO, who had won the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes at Randwick before going on to run 3rd to RISING ROMANCE in the ATC Oaks in the Autumn, put in a dominant finishing sprint to beat some of the best horses in Australia in the Group One Turnbull Stakes. And to put the icing on the cakes, the 6yo Gelding, BRAMBLES, also by Savabeel ran third!!!!

FORTUNA NEWSLETTER –
22 November 2014

• READY TO RUN SALES UPDATE

• Fortuna 2yo Filly WINDBORNE puts in dominant display when taking out the (Listed) Murdoch Newell Stakes at Avondale

Ready To Run Sales Update

Lot 111 – 2yo Colt by POSTPONED out of PROMISSORY (by ZABEEL) – $6200 per 5% share

Lot 194 – 2yo Colt by STRATUM out of THE PARTY STAND (by THORN PARK) – $7,200 per 5% share

The 2014 Ready To Run Sale went very nicely for Fortuna. We had a plan to buy two horses, one for Singapore and one for New Zealand, although Plan A, which was to buy a Sprinting type for Singapore and a staying type for NZ soon reverted to Plan B as we had the opportunity to secure an outstanding staying type by POSTPONED out of a ZABEEL Mare (Lot 111) which David Ellis had categorised as an ” A” (only one of three horses in the sale that he gave an A to) and which Mark Walker had highlighted from watching the Breeze Up video clips as a horse with a lovely galloping action. We were prepared to pay a lot more for him than we did, so it was a great deal for us.

Later in the day, Lot 194, the STRATUM – THE PARTY STAND Colt came up for sale; we were aware that his half sister (by Foxwedge) had made A$320k at a sale in Australia, so were not confident that we could secure him for our budget, but sometimes you get lucky and he was knocked down to us just below budget.

The pictures above give a very interesting contrast don’t they – with Lot 111 being a typical staying type with his strength in the hind quarters and a lot of scope to grow and develop about him, while Lot 194 is a typical Sprinting type, very strong through the neck and shoulder.

So here are some more complete details on each horse.

Lot 111 POSTPONED – PROMISSORY (by ZABEEL)

POSTPONED needs no introduction as a Sire of course; while not in the top echelon of Stallions, he has a reputation for producing tough, hardy types who handle all conditions – Postman’s Daughter comes very much to mind as an example of that. On the Dam side, well what can we say other than ZABEEL has proven to be a marvellous Sire of Broodmares and this Colt throws very much to the ZABEEL factor with his physical looks. PROMISSORY is a half sister to the dam of MISS MOSSMAN who won the 2014 Group One NZ Oaks at Trentham this year. Pedigree aside, this Colt put in a brilliant Breeze Up and you can view that by Clicking HERE. Firstly the time at 10.6 was very quick and secondly, he has a lovely low to the ground galloping action. As indicated above, Mark Walker had marked this Lot down as one of his four top picks based on the Breeze Ups.

So, why Singapore for this horse? Well, apart from the wonderful prize money in Singapore on offer, staying types are rather thin on the ground and horses bred along stout Kiwi bloodlines can and do excel in Singapore; this year the two best horses is Singapore have been War Affair (O’Reilly) and Spalato (Elusive City) and the characteristic of both of those horses have been an ability to run a trip but also have a turn of foot. So, Mark Walker and I aim to find horses to race in Singapore that are likely contenders for races like the Singapore Derby (S$1.15m) run over 2000 metres for 4yo’s and the Singapore Gold Cup, a Handicap run over 2200 metres. We ran 2nd in the Gold Cup with Tell A Tale in 2010 and it is a wonderful race to target. We think this powerful staying type with the very stout pedigree that he possesses, but also blessed with a nice turn of foot as seen in the Breeze Ups, will be ideal for Singapore.

Shares in this Colt are available at $12,400 per 10%, $6,200 per 5% and $3,100 per 2.5% with monthly payments of $320 per 10%, 160 per 5% and $80 per 2.5% commencing 1st February 2014. The initial costs include the cost of the horse, Sales and Promoters Fees, Insurance Premium through to 31st January 2016, all costs of shipping the horse to Singapore and over $13k of working capital. Incidentally, when this horse has his first start in Singapore, he will be racing for S$75,000 of prize money (one S$ is almost identical to one NZ$).

Our plans for this horse are to give him a two month paddock spell, geld him during that time and then bring him into work around the end of January, build him up to trial fitness, give him two trials during April and May and then he should be ready to travel to Singapore to be prepared for his 3yo season there.

Lot 194 STRATUM-THE PARTY STAND (by THORN PARK)

This is a a Colt with a beautiful pedigree. By STRATUM who won a Golden Slipper and has Sired a Golden Slipper winner (Crystal Lilly) out of the very good race mare THE PARTY STAND, who won six times from just seventeen starts including the New Zealand Stakes (Group One) at Ellerslie and ran 4th in the Easter Handicap (Group One), also at Ellerslie. Interestingly enough, the half sister to this Colt (by Foxwedge) sold for A$320k when put through the ring.

Physically, this is an outstanding Colt, powerful, short coupled, he looks like a real “get up and go” type. His galloping action as demonstrated in his Breeze Up, is superb. Click HERE to view that Breeze Up.

Shares in this Colt are available at $14,400 per 10%, $7,200 per 5% and $3,600 per 2.5% with monthly payments of $320 per 10%, 160 per 5% and $80 per 2.5% commencing 1st February 2014. The initial costs include the cost of the horse, GST, Sales and Promoters Fees, Insurance Premium through to 31st January 2016 and over $13k of working capital.

We sent the STRATUM Colt straight to Matamata after the sales where he is having a few quiet days of walking and trotting and from Monday of next week, he commences a fresh preparation under the watchful eye of Jason Bridgman; he will be aimed to trial late January/early February and all going well, will be set to make his racing debut late summer/early Autumn; he will certainly make a lovely Autumn 2yo. He will remain a Colt and provided he behaves himself will stay like that.

SUMMARY

Two lovely Colts to choose from, one a Stayer, on a a Sprinter, one going to Singapore, the other to race in NZ. Both horses were fully vetted by our very experienced Equine Vet, Dr Douglas Black and were passed with no issues.

I expect both horses to sell quickly, so if you have interest in either or both, please let me know soonest.

Applications can only be made after Investors have perused and signed the NZ Thoroughbred Racing approved Disclosure Statement. This can be obtained from Fortuna Director, John Galvin (click HERE) or calling John (+64) 21 921 460.

Fortuna Ltd is an Authorised Syndicator in accordance with the Code of Practice established under The (New Zealand) Securities Act (Bloodstock) Exemption Notice 2002

WINDBORNE emphatic in Listed Event at Avondale.

The money was hot for 2yo Filly, WINDBORNE, at Avondale today, closing at $2.20 on the Tote, but her effort justified punters’ optimism. Drawing 6 at the barrier, she jumped well, but then was crossed by two horses from outside barriers, causing the daughter of DARCI BRAHMA to over-race for about 100 metres. However rider Matt Cameron eased out of the speed duel and let his mount come back under him and relax. Turning for home WINDBORNE, as she did at Ellerslie with her debut win, took a few strides to balance up and then, with an electrifying turn of foot, sprinted away from her rivals, clear at the line by one and a half lengths. Click HERE to see the race replay.

A full sister to the 3yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM, who just one week ago ran 2nd in the Group One NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas, WINDBORNE is nominated for the Karaka Million event to be run at Ellerslie 25th January and will probably head to Ellerslie to tackle the Group Three Eclipse Stakes over 1200 metres on New Years Day as a final lead up race to the Karaka Million.

WINDBORNE (Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby) was bred by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton Ellis and offered at the 2014 Karaka Select Sale, where she was acquired by Fortuna Syndications Director, John Galvin for $100,000 and syndicated to an ownership group of 29 individuals.

“I am so happy for the Syndicate Members,” said John Galvin, “several are first timers and quite a few of them are also Members of the DARCI’S DREAM Syndicate, so they have had a great week in racing.”

Well, it had to happen some time and the six winners in a row winning streak enjoyed by New Zealand based Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndication runners came to and end yesterday, but by the nearest of margins with the Fortuna runner, HIGHLY LIKELY going down by a nose in a head bobbing finish.

The winning streak had started June 18th with HIGHLY LIKELY winning at Te Aroha and then had been followed by 3yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM winning at Taupo, HIGHLY LIKELY then winning again at Matamata, SIR DARCI winning at New Plymouth, PRINCE HENRY at Taupo and finally, DARCI’S DREAM winning the Black Type event, the Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton. Fortuna supremo, John Galvin, was philosophical,”It had to end sometime, but what a great winning streak it has been and has generated a lot of interest and a number of our Syndicate members have significant profits in their TAB accounts as they have backed up on our winners.” he said. ” Full credit to our trainer, Te Akau Racing’s Jason Bridgman and his dedicated staff for producing our horses in such great order.”

Winning streaks are hard to come by in the very competitive world of Thoroughbred racing, but six New Zealand based runners to the races since mid June have produced six wins in succession for Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications. The streak began on June 18th when 3yo gelding HIGHLY LIKELY (High Chaparral) won a 2100 metre Highweight event at just his second race day start. Then on 20th August, the 3yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM (Darci Brahma), already a winner as a 2yo, beat a good field of 3yo fillies at Taupo at her first run as a 3yo. HIGHLY LIKELY, who had been freshened after his first victory in June and now a 4yo, then won a Rating 65 event over 1600 metres at Matamata on 27th August. On September 11th the Gelding SIR DARCI (Darci Brahma), already a three win horse as a 3yo and having his first run as a 4yo, won a Rating 75 event over 1200 metres at New Plymouth. Next up was 3yo Gelding PRINCE HENRY (Henrythenavigator), an impressive trial winner in August and now having his first race day start. He duly obliged, producing a strong finish off a wide barrier draw to score at Taupo over 1200 metres on 19th September. The following day at Riccarton, DARCI’S DREAM stepped out in the time honoured Canterbury Belle Stakes, a Listed race for 3yo fillies and produced a withering finish to take out the 1200 metre event.

“ People are asking me what the secret is,” laughs Fortuna Director, John Galvin, “ but really, we are not doing anything different to what we have always done since we started syndicating back in 2007. We have continued to buy athletic, well conformed horses with nice pedigrees; horses that are in a reasonable price range for syndication and then apply a highly professional to handling and training via our Training establishment, Te Akau Racing, under the steady hand of Jason Bridgman.”

Asked how long the streak can continue for, John Galvin replied,”Well, what I have learned from my involvement in racing over a long period of time is that this game is a great leveller; so we will take what we can get now as I am sure we will have some lean streaks in the future. But the pressure is now really on HIGHLY LIKELY to win at Matamata on 24th September and if he does get up to make it seven wins in succession for us, then all the pressure will be SIR DARCI when he races next at Hastings on 4th October.”

Anticipation among supporters of the Fortuna Syndicates 3yo Filly DARCI’S DREAM was high as start time for the time honoured Canterbury Belle Stakes, a Listed event, approached. A dominant winner at her first run as a three year old at Taupo on 20th August, DARCI’S DREAM or “BABY” as she is nicknamed, had been sent south by her Trainer, Jason Bridgman, to tackle the Listed event with the aim of using the race as one of two lead ups into the ultimate prize, the $300,000 Group One NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas, run at Riccarton on the 15th November. DARCI’S DREAM had traveled down to Riccarton through the week, accompanied by her very experienced handler, Steve O’Neil.

Drawn well at barrier 4 in the field of twelve runners and ridden by New Zealand’s most successful ever jockey, the evergreen David Walsh, DARCI’S DREAM jumped nicely, camped in behind the speed, was produced to the outside by Walsh at about the 300 metre mark and then provided her trademark finishing run to burst clear, taking out the event by three quarters of a length, to the cheers of her small army of supporters who were on hand along with Fortuna Director, John Galvin. Click HERE to see race replay.

“I want to give a lot of credit to Trainer, Jason Bridgman for the way he has handled this filly,”said John Galvin.” she showed a lot of promise as an early 2yo, winning a trial in August 2013 in dominant fashion and we had earmarked her as a potential Karaka Million type, but Jason kept backing off her as she went through growing phases as a two year old. I was keen to push her along, but he kept pushing back, saying to me that she would be better as three year old and so it is proving.”

A daughter of the Champion race horse DARCI BRAHMA out of the Van Nistlerooy mare, Sweet Dreams Baby, DARCI’S DREAM was bred by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton Ellis, was acquired by Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications at the 2013 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Select Sale and syndicated to an ownership group consisting of twenty nine individuals, many of then first time owners.

Amazingly, the win by DARCI’S DREAM at Riccarton was the sixth win in a row for Fortuna Syndicate horses, a run that commenced back in June when HIGHLY LIKELY won at Te Aroha.

Amazingly, the last five New Zealand runners presented by Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications have resulted in five victories. The run started back on the 18th June when 3yo Gelding, HIGHLY LIKELY (by High Chaparral) won a Highweight event at the Aroha at just his second race day start. The new racing season commenced on 1st August and the first new season runner was 3yo filly, DARCI’S DREAM (by Darci Brahma), who franked her good two year old form when defeating a good field of 3yo fillies at Taupo. On the 27th August, HIGHLY LIKELY delivered again in a thrilling finish in a Rating 65 event at Matamata. On the 11th September, 4yo Gelding SIR DARCI (by Darci Brahma), a three win horse as a 3yo, showed his class when winning a Rating 85 event stylishly at New Plymouth and then on the 19th September, 3yo Gelding PRINCE HENRY (by Henrythenavigator), on his race day debut, put in a very strong effort to down a quality Maiden field at Taupo.

” I am pinching myself,” laughed Fortuna Director John Galvin, “these are the sorts of results you dream about. Full credit to our Trainer, Jason Bridgman and his team, I love working with them. And, of course, our owners are just over the moon.”

Interestingly enough, jockey honours have been shared with the five victories, stable rider Matt Cameron riding two of them, Amateur rider, Jamie Richards one  and Lee Magorrian and Leith Innes riding the other two.

The pressure is now really on 3yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM, at Riccarton today when she contests the (Listed) Canterbury Belle Stakes for 3yo Fillies with New Zealand’s most successful ever jockey, David Walsh in the saddle. Can she make it six in a row for TEAM FORTUNA?

Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications utilises the well practised eye of Te Akau Racing Supremo, David Ellis to select its thoroughbreds. Well done David.