Friday Flash – 12th August 2022
Headline News;
KING ARTHUR will carry the Fortuna flag in the Group One Lion City Cup at Kranji racecourse in Singapore Sunday 14th August
John will be in attendance along with around 15 Fortuna Racing supporters
Upcoming trials Avondale 16th August – Fortuna trialists are Marlborough Bay, Hayate, Navalha and Soprano Supreme
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Fortuna has five runners this week – all in Singapore
Singapore – Sunday 14th August
BRUTUS will contest the Class 4 1200 Turf – Race 2 @ 12.30pm Singapore time (4.30pm NZT) – will be ridden by Blake Shinn from the ace draw – won this Class, trip and distance in February, then failed to find form in Class 3 – back to Class 4 last start, he struck a wet track which did not suit but still ran 5th – a five time winner in Singapore, he is up for this race and from the nice draw and a gun rider in the saddle is a top 3 chance
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters say about this race;
1st Pick: BRUTUS (1)
He comes into this weekend off a rating of 65 the same rating he last won at back in March of this year when he beat Vgor who has since won. Has shown good early speed in the past. Shinn in the saddle a big bonus.
2nd Pick: FADABOY (4)
Beat his stablemate in a close finish at maiden level last start. The runner up has since placed again and it always a big ask to win up in grade at their second start, but he looks to have some ability this guy. Gets in well on the weights after the claim.
3rd Pick: SACRED JUDGEMENT (2)
Had to settle for second place last start behind the veteran in Preditor. Drops back in distance where he boasts two wins from nine starts at this track and distance.
4th Pick: NO MORE DELAY (3)
Seems to have dropped off in form since leaving the Meagher camp. Has shown in the past he has an engine and him causing an upset here would not be a surprise to those who have seen him win.
HADEER will contest the Class 3 1200 Turf – race 4 @ 1.30pm Singapore time (8pm NZT) – Senior Rider, Jake Bayliss will ride from barrier 6 – form has been patchy since last winning in September, but is now back to a rating where he can be competitive again – can feature in the Top 4
TRIDENT races in the Novice 1400 Turf – Race 6 at 2.30pm Singapore time (6.30pm NZT) – Blake Shinn to ride from barrier 8 in a 9 horse field. Just two starts in Singapore for a 2nd and a win in Restricted Maiden Grade, he has plenty of ability and the step up to 1400 will suit. Slightly tricky draw but is a small field – one of just two last start winners in this race, he looks very competitive here – represents a strong top 3 chance
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters say about this race;
1st Pick: MAJOR KING (2)
Classy youngster who won his maiden in nice style at his debut start. Next run they had a crack at a Group Two event where he hit the line strongly for a minor placing. Looks one of the leading contenders here.
2nd Pick: TRIDENT (4)
Has collected two wealthy cheques at his last two starts including a win and a minor placing. Seems to handle the distance with no issues and has trialed nicely between runs.
3rd Pick: MONTANA FLASH (3)
Went around as a very short priced favorite and saluted on raw ability over this distance last start. Should continue to improve as he rises over the distances and has the potential to go back-to-back here.
4th Pick: STREET OF DREAMS (6)
Caught the eye running second last start behind Mariana trench at maiden level last start. This is a tougher field, but the gelding procedure looks to have straightened him out and sharpen him up.
TRIDENT – winning Restricted Maiden Grade at his 2nd Singapore start – 9th July
KING ARTHUR gets a well deserved chance for Group One glory in the Lion City Cup over 1200m on the Turf – Race 11 @ 5pm Singapore (9pm NZT) – Blake Shinn to ride from barrier 4 in a 16 horse field. Nowhere to hide in this race run under weight for age conditions and he meets several much higher rated runners at level weights – won’t be easy, but he will get a lovely run from the draw and has all the form to indicate he can be competitive here at good odds – rates as a definite top four chance
Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters say about this race;
1st Pick: KING ARTHUR (8)
From barrier number 4, this son of I Am Invincible gets arguably the run of the race. He is very much out of his depth here, but a good ride from Blake Shinn could see him in the finish.
2nd Pick: LIM’S LIGHTNING (1)
Barrier 1 means that all the expertise of Danny Beasley along with a lot of luck will be required to see him win this race, but he is the defending champion and horse to beat on form.
3rd Pick: GOLDEN MONKEY (15)
Coming here with a rating of 72 which suggests he is outclassed here. However, he is the champion 3 year old in Singapore and gains the services of Mark Zahra for his maiden G1 attempt.
4th Pick: MR MALEK (6)
Should follow King Arthur early and get onto his back. Maps to find a nice spot in running and despite dropping back to the 1200m here, should be amongst the top few late in the race.
Click HERE to see “The King” taking out his last win in the Class 1 1200m Turf on 17th July – this is “must watch” if you are contemplating an investment on him on Sunday
ENTERTAINER races in the Class 3 1200 Turf – Race 12 at 5.35pm Singapore time (9.35pm NZT) – will be ridden by Blake Shinn from Barrier 6 – the winner of 7 races in Singapore, he has not greeted the judge since 29 January – is inclined to overdo things pre race and during the race – gear changes this week may help with that – gets the Turf here and all of his wins have been on the Poly. Gets a gun rider in the saddle and is back to a competitive rating – could surprise but caution required
Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 9th August
No timed Fortuna trackwork today
Thursday 11th August
Soprano Supreme (O Bosson) worked over an easy 1200 metres in 1.11.08, home in 42.67.
Fortuna Track work – Singapore
Saturday 6th August
Briggs (Aiman) – 1000/600 38; Trident (Jamil) – 1000/600 36; Brutus (Jerlyn) – 1000/600 36; Hadeer (Jerlyn) – 1000/600 36;
Wednesday 10th August
Trident (Jamil) – 800/600 40;
Other News
KING ARTHUR (I Am Invincible – Pentasia) will carry the Fortuna flag in the Group One Lion City Cup at Kranji racecourse in Singapore Sunday 14th August. The winner of eight races in Singapore since winning a Maiden 2nd October 2021 from just 13 starts in that time – certainly he has been very progressive and has accumulated S$330k for his ownership group, an outstanding return for a horse bought for just A$25k by John Galvin out of an Inglis Digital Sale. Originally racing out of the Bjorn Baker Stable in Sydney (and named Tintagel) he had two starts for his ownership group who then decided to sell him as they did not think he was up to Group One standard in Sydney – he will be ridden by the Australian jockey Blake Shinn – Blake has spent the last 4 years riding in Hong Kong after a stellar career in Victoria – he has ridden over 1600 winners including the 2008 Melbourne Cup on Viewed
Blake will also ride Brutus, Trident and Entertainer for us on the day – we will have a solid contingent of Fortuna supporters on track for what will be an exciting day’s racing with Jake Bayliss riding Hadeer for us
Guest Selector – Des Coppins
Des’ pick last week finished 4th after being fractious on her way to the barriers – so no joy for each way punters – here is what Des has to say this week;
LAST week at Ruakaka we finished 4th with our bet Sulabella and boy didn’t it get the blows on the fixed odds market from the $6.50 opening to quote to 12’s by the time they jumped! This drastic fluctuation was generally expected after she became fractious at preliminary time with jockey Matt Cameron dismounting and leading her for some distance to the barrier. She held up the race start for at least 5 minutes and punters steered clear with good reason. It was most certainly a “ paste in your hat” performance, however, and I reckon you should keep a close watch on her next time.
Let’s move to Tauranga on Saturday. This track will be holding and maybe very puggy. I reckon Teen Titan is warming up to a win. He runs in the last.At his most recent start at Te Rapa he finished the race off quicker than any of his rivals into 4th with the best sectionals and he’s hitting form at the right time. When he won his first race he encountered a heavy track at Pukekohe but it was sunny for more than 24 hours, meaning the track that day had to be bordering on what horses may well expect at Tauranga.
We all realise that heavy tracks are never similar but the expectations track wise should see it as close to holding or puggy on Saturday as it was that day at Pukekohe when he won and he therefore he should cope with it as well as any. The 3kg allowance with Maria Sanson on board, who has ridden him before, is also an asset.
At print time he was showing $9 and $3 and that means again a one unit over two makes perfect sense. Good punting.
Des runs his very popular phone tipping line (you can access this by calling 0900 45459 – note this incurs a charge of $2.99 per minute) – this service has been active for over 25 years and covers all NZ gallops from 8am each race day).
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