“Dream” result for the Fortuna Racing Stable as Singapore racing resumes
Saturday 11th July saw the resumption of Singapore racing after a 99 day pause due to Covid-19. The Fortuna Stable presented three runners, Hadeer and Ronaldo’s Dream, both making their Singapore debuts and the veteran Hidden Promise, already a 5 win horse in Singapore. The stable view was that all three were top four chances with Hidden Promise probably the best chance. Hadeer, a 4yo Gelding (Savabeel – A Real Princess), who was a winner in Australia for his previous owners, Shadwell Stud, was ignored by punters and was the rank outsider in his Class 4 event over 1000 metres. Defying the punter’s dismissal of him, he ran a very bold race on debut finishing 2nd, beaten 3/4 of a length.
Ronaldo’s Dream, a 3yo Gelding (Darci Brahma – Sweet Dreams Baby) was up next in the Restricted Maiden event over 1100m. A Maiden, he had had three starts in NZ in the spring of 2019, all for minor placings, before being sent to Singapore to race. Drawing barrier 6 in a 12 horse field, his rider, the Stable apprentice, K Hakim, who was claiming 4kgs, had him away well from the barriers and into a nice spot in 4th place one off the rails. Relaxing nicely, Ronaldo traveled well in the run, Hakim pulled him out to the centre of the track on turning and set off after the leaders who had established a three length break – steadily he reeled them in and went to the line 1.5 lengths clear of the 2nd horse. Click HERE to see the race replay.
Ronaldo’s Dream was acquired by Fortuna Director, John Galvin at the 2018 Karaka Yearling Sale for NZ$80,000 out of the draft of Phoenix Park. John picks up the story, “Ronaldo was a horse I had liked since I first saw him as a weanling at Te Akau Stud. Fortuna had previously acquired his two full sisters, Darci’s Dream and Windborne, both stakes winning fillies and we had also acquired his half brother, Colorado Prince (by Alamosa), also a race day winner here in NZ, so we knew the family well. Not a natural 2yo, we took Ronaldo along quietly before giving him his race day debut at Matamata in August, where he ran 5th on a Heavy track, that was followed by an improvers run for 4th at Ruakaka and then a fighting 2nd at Taupo. Clearly he had ability, however the stable view was that he still lacked maturity as a spring 3yo and was unlikely to be competitive in the top 3yo races. Accordingly, we recommended to his Ownership group that he go to Singapore to race. The Syndicate Members agreed and now they have been rewarded with this nice result. I want to acknowledge that David and Karyn Ellis bred this horse (they were also the breeders of Darci’s Dream, Windborne and Colorado Prince) and a big thanks to them for putting him up for sale. A big thanks also to Trainer Mark Walker and his team for producing Rnaldo’s Dream in great order and thanks to Hakim for a great riding effort”
“Ronaldo’s Dream” – Wins on Singapore debut 11 July 2020
Now eligible for Novice Grade, Trainer Mark Walker will take Ronaldo along quietly and set targets for him as he progresses – he is a potential contender for the Singapore Guineas which has been deferred until 26th September due to Covid-19.
Ronaldo’s Dream is raced by the Fortuna Ronaldo’s Dream Syndicate, an ownership group of 51 Members, 16 of whom were brand new to the Fortuna family when they took shares in this syndicate.
Finally, Hidden Promise ran boldly for a 4th placing later in the day, capping off a solid result for the Fortuna NZ Stable on resumption day.