Fortuna News Round Up 9th February
SHAMROCK wins in Singapore at just his 3rd race day start
Second on debut and suffering a bleeding attack at his second start last September, necessitating a mandatory three month stand down, connections were naturally apprehensive when their Three Year Old Gelding SHAMROCK (Helmet-Shamabelle), took the stage for his resuming run over 1200 metres in the Restricted Maiden 1200 metre event at Singapore’s Kranji race course on Sunday 4th February. Drawn at barrier seven, rider Glen Boss soon had SHAMROCK into stride and in a nice place one out and one back. On turning for home, he looked as if he was right in the race, but exhibited some greenness in the run down the straight, with the race leader, Lohnro Gold, still going strongly a couple of lengths in front. However, Boss eventually got SHAMROCK to run straight and true and wearing down the leader over the last 100 metres went to the line with a long neck to spare
Click HERE to see the race replay
SHAMROCK winning Kranji Race course – 4th February 2018
Fortuna Syndications Director John Galvin was over the moon with the result, “This horse right from the outset had shown us a lot of promise – his debut run in Singapore was very good and then we had the setback with his bleeding attack and no matter how positive one may feel, there is always a big question mark around a successful comeback. Today’s win was very strong and it looks as if he may have a bright future in Singapore.”
Shamrock is raced by the Fortuna Shamrock Syndicate, a group of 34 New Zealand based Syndicate Members and is trained in Singapore by Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker, the current Champion Trainer in Singapore
Shamrock was bred by Terry Archer and Associates and was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2016 Karaka Ready To Run Sale for $80,000.
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Two Year Old Gelding HANDSOME REBEL runs third in Group Three Phoenix Park Plate at New Plymouth
3yo HANDSOME REBEL (Denman – London Rebel) who had run 3rd at his first two starts faced a big step in Class when contesting the Group 3 2yo event at New Plymouth on Saturday 3rd February. From barrier 6 of the 7 runners and with a lot of early speed expected, rider Opie Bosson rode him conservatively out of the gates, and “Jordie” as he is nicknamed, settled near the rear of the field in the run. Urged into the race by Bosson form the 700 metre mark, he was the widest horse on the tight turn into the straight and took a while to get balanced, but finished powerfully to node out the race favourite, Wisdom Patch for 3rd. The Nigel Tiley trained Gelding, A BIT LIPPY (Showcasing) won the event.
“I thought he was going to run last when he was at the 200 metre mark” said Fortuna Director John Galvin, “but he picked himself up and drove home for a lovely third placing in a Group 3 race – a great result for his ownership Group.”
Click HERE to see race result and Video replay.
Handsome Rebel – Cambridge Trials October 2017
HANDSOME REBEL was acquired by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale for A$65,000, continuing the Fortuna tradition of buying talented youngsters at “value” prices. The Handsome Rebel Syndicate Group is made up of 38 individuals.
HANDSOME REBEL will now head to the Group Three Matamata Slipper over 1200 metres on 24th Feb
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Fortuna’s MELODY BELLE to pursue Sydney Campaign
Three Year Old Filly, MELODY BELLE, last season’s Champion Two Year old, fresh from a last start win in the Group Three Mongolian Khan Trophy at Ellerslie on 27th January, will tackle the Sydney Fillies in her next two starts. Saturday 17th February will see her at Randwick contesting the Group Two Light Fingers Stakes (A$200,000) over 1200 metres while on Saturday 3rd March sees her contest the Group One Surround Stakes (A$500,000) over 1400 metres, also at Randwick. Ex pat Kiwi Jockey, Rory Hutchings, has been engaged to ride her in at least her first assignment
Melody Belle dominant in Mongolian Khan Trophy Ellerslie 27th Jan
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Shares in the recent Fortuna acquisitions selling steadily.
As readers are aware Fortuna prides itself on seeking out “value” with its acquisitions being very determined to set firm budget limits with its purchases while not compromising on quality. “We certainly don’t make the headlines with our acquisitions,” says John Galvin. “but we do seem to get some nice headlines when our acquisitions get to the race track. The three Yearlings we have acquired at Karaka at Book One Sale averaged $88,000 against a Sales Average of over $170,000 – that does represent great value.”
Here is a summary of the Fortuna opportunities currently available
IFFRAAJ – CHAMPAGNE KATIE Yearling Filly
Lovely Two Year Old Type – just the sort who can be aimed at the Karaka Million – $3650 for 2,5% share. Click HERE to see full details
Lovely Two Year Old Type – just the sort who can be aimed at the Karaka Million – $3650 for 2,5% share. Click HERE to see full details
“JOY” – Yearling Filly by Iffraaj out of Champagne Katie
MEDAGLIO D’ORO – KABLUES Yearling Filly
acquired at 2018 Karaka Yearling Sales – genuine staying type of Filly with a fabulous pedigree, she will grow into a lovely Three Year Old Oaks type of filly
$3800 for a 2.5% share – Click HERE to see full details
“DORA” – Yearling Filly by Medaglio d’Oro out of Kablues –
DARCI BRAHMA – SWEET DREAMS BABY Yearling Colt – this is our 2018 “Stallion Making” Opportunity – a fabulous athletic Colt from a Stakes winning family – huge value here at just $3,350 for a 2.5% share. Click HERE to see full details
“Ronaldo” – the Darci Brahma – Sweet Dreams Baby Colt
And this one is not a Yearling, but recently acquired on Gavel House Auction – Our “Straight to Singapore ” opportunity – “WILDFIRE” –
a Gelding by Darci Brahma out of Beautiful Girl. He will have his first race day start in Singapore in June 2018 and will race for S$85,000 of prizemoney – not long to wait for this boy. Just $2500 for a 2.5% share landed in Singapore. Click HERE to see full details
“Ali” – 4yo Gelding by Darci Brahma out of Beautiful Girl
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Te Akau Stud Tours under way again
Every year during February and March, we conduct weekly visits to Te Akau Stud in the western Waikato to view the Fortuna Yearlings and enjoy the fabulous 4000 plus acre environment that is David Ellis’ Te Akau Stud – we go every Monday with the first tour Monday 12t February. We meet at BP Ngaruawahia from 10.30 am, depart in convoy to the farm at 11am (about a 40 minute drive), spend about an hour at the farm and then return to BP, usually getting back before 2pm. Its is a great day out. Please contact John by email or call/text 021 921 460 if you would like to register for one of these tours.