Headline News
Easter Special 10% discount offer still available on current Fortuna offerings
NZ bred runners took out seven of the eight Group One features at the The Championships at Randwick
Well known racing media personality Andre Neill is to host a hospitality package to Doomben Cup
Vale Doug Payton
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Fortuna has six runners this weekend, one in NZ and five in Singapore
New Zealand
NAVALHA contests the R75 1200m event at Te Rapa on Saturday – Race 5 @ 2,52 and will be ridden by Joe Kamaruddin from a wide barrier. Had two Ok runs early in the year on resuming after returning from a South Island campaign – then developed a virus which has kept him away from the track until now. Capable on his day, but will need luck this track and trip from a wide barrier draw – can run into the money if he gets it
Singapore
DECEPTION races in the Class 4 1600m Turf – race 4 @ 1.30 Sing time (5.30pm NZT) and will be ridden by Singapore Champion Apprentice, Fadzli Yusoff, from an inside barrier. This horse always runs well, has not always had his due favours, but is clearly looking for a 1600m trip and gets it here. Good even field, but with just seven runners, top rider and good draw, he is right in this – each way
OUR FINAL OFFER contests the Open Maiden 1400 Turf – Race 6 @ 2.30pm Sing time (6.30pm NZT) and will be ridden by Stable Apprentice Jamil, claiming 4kgs from Barrier 7 in a 9 horse field. With a 3rd and a 2nd this grade last two starts after 15 months away from the track, he is very well placed here. Will need to manage his widish draw but represents a very good each way chance here
Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race;
1st Pick: OUR FINAL OFFER (2)
Jumped much better last start to finish second over 1200m. Looks like he will appreciate the rise in distance and holds nice form to take this out. Wide draw makes it tricky but has the form.
2nd Pick: SCHNEIDER (9)
He is a get back and fly home style horse who clocked a nice time at the end behind Sun Rectitude on a leader dominated surface. Continues to catch the eye and a win is coming. Carries no weight again.
3rd Pick: GRANDEUR (1)
Finished last but only beaten 5.5 lengths at Novice grade last week and is on the quick backup. Should appreciate the drop in class and must be respected against these.
4th Pick: HURRICANE MARS (5)
Just the one minor placing and that was his most recent start where he led and just foundered the last 100m. If he gets steady sectionals early on can grind it out.
ROCKY contests the Class 4 1200 Poly event – Race 7 @ 3pm Sing time (7pm NZT) and will be ridden by Fadzli Yusoff, from an inside barrier. Two Singapore wins and several minor placings from 10 starts for this son of El Roca, he was an impressive winner in Class 5 this trip and surface at his last start with 57kgs on his back – he carries 51kgs this time, has a lovely draw and can certainly feature in the finish here
Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race;
1st Pick: PACIFIC WARRIOR (1)
Didn’t take him place in the 3YO sprint. Was arguably one of the winning hopes in the event. This looks potentially an easier task if he can put his best foot forward, respect.
2nd Pick: SPORTY SIXTY-ONE (2)
On her day, she absolutely blitzes this field. She oozes class and should be winning a race soon, respect.
3rd Pick: MAJOR KING (3)
Trialled well leading up to this, top three hope on his day with Nunes in the saddle.
4th Pick: ROCKY (4)
Great winner last start down in grade. Back to class 4 but watch the market, if he gets late support, he is worth following.
ENTERTAINER runs in the Class 3 1200m Turf event Race 9 @ 4pm Sing time (8pm NZT) and will be ridden by Fadzli Yusoff, from barrier 2. Eight wins in Singapore for this fellow but has not won since September 2022 – now back in Class 3 and at a dangerous place in the weights. The good draw will enable him to do what he does best, i.e run freely and if things go right for him, he can feature.
KING ARTHUR runs in the Class 1 1100m Poly event Race 10 @ 4.30pm Sing time (8.30 pm NZT) and will be ridden by Fadzli Yusoff, from a good barrier. This nine time winner is one of the highest rated gallopers in Singapore and has to carry a good horse’s weight here, conceding several kgs to most of the other runners. He is in good form, he has the runs on the board and has the class to take this out if he cops the weight differential
Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race;
1st Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (2)
2022 Polytrack horse of the year returns to the race and strikes this event very well weighted. Can go close here. Nunes jumps on and has trialled well in readiness for this.
2nd Pick: SKY EYE (4)
Strong second last time to the races. Strikes a great race and his best would see him going close in this event.
3rd Pick: KING ARTHUR (1)
Carries top weight here but he’s afforded the weight because he’s the clear horse to beat. Hopefully the 59kg doesn’t bring him undone.
4th Pick: RED OCEAN (8)
48kgs here after a great lightweight win last start. At the weights, he’s a logical place chance, respect. Found winning form and can continue it.
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Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Tuesday 4th April
No Fortuna timed trackwork today
Thursday 13th April
Hayate (A Gujar) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.10.2, final 600 in 39.4.
Fortuna Track work – Singapore
No Fortuna runners timed track work this week
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Other News
Easter Special 10% discount offer still available
Still a few shares left in the following three fillies and we are extending our Easter discount for a few more days – just type the word “Easter” into the coupon code section on the website order page to gain the discount.
“Ali” – the Yearling Filly by Star Witness out of Alana’s Party – she has completed her breaking in and has been in the Main Stables now for a week doing her first stable prep Mark says “lovely filly, very forward, very precocious, looks like a real early type 2yo”. Click HERE to see this nice Filly at trot ups during the week. Notable that her 3yo half sister, Vinolass, has been to the races three times in Victoria and won all three – and her 2yo half brother, I’m Coming Up, won a recent trial in Victoria by 2 lengths – so the family is going very well
$1263.60 (with discount) for each 1% and $44 per month from 1st May. Click HERE to read all about Ali on the Fortuna website
“ALI”
“Raquel” – the Yearling Filly by Reliable Man out of Scene Queen – she has completed her breaking in and has been in the Main Stables now for a week doing her first stable prep – Click HERE to see this lovely grey Filly at trot ups during the week
$759.60 (with discount) for each 1% and $44 per month from 1st May. Click HERE to read all about Raquel on the Fortuna website
“Raquel”
“Queenie” – the Yearling Filly by
Eminent out of Queen Boudicca – she is now in her 4
th week of being broken in and will go to the main stables for her first stable prep in a couple of week’s time. Has a very strong pedigree page and presents as a genuine 3yo/staying type of Filly
$1209.60 (with discount) for each 1% and $44 per month from 1st May. Click HERE to read all about Queenie on the Fortuna website
“Queenie”
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NZ bred runners took out seven of the eight Group One features at the The Championships at Randwick
No doubt that NZ Racing is definitely the “poor cousin” compared to Australia when it comes to prize money, but gee, we continue to punch well above our weight when it comes to the breeding barn. The Championships were just amazing results for our breeding industry, and it wasn’t just the Staying/Middle Distance events either, such as the Derby, the Oaks and the Sydney Cup, but we also beat the Aussies at their own game in races that they usually dominate, such as the Sires Produce Stakes 1400m for 2yos (won by Militarise (Dundeel) and the TJ Smith 1200m won by I Wish I Win (Savabeel). Pennyweka (Satono Aladdin), like I Wish I Win, is NZ owned dominated the Oaks and Atishu (Savabeel), owned by a Go Racing syndicate, similarly blew her opposition away in the Queen Of The Turf. Majorbeel (Savabeel)won the Derby of course, Mr Brightside (Bullbars) but carrying the NZ suffix, won the Doncaster and Explosive Jack (Jakalberry) took out the Sydney Cup.
The only Group One we did not secure over the two day Carnival was the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which went to the Irish Bred Dubai Honour, but the NZ bred Mo’unga (Savabeel) did run 2nd.
Amazing results across the board for the NZ Breeding industry and I do know that some of our Fortuna clients have shares in Atishu and Pennyweka, so congrats to you if you are one of those
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Well known racing media personality Andre Neill is to host a hospitality package to Doomben Cup
Yes our good friend Andre Neill has brought this initiative to our attention – its a great time of the year to be traveling to Queensland – note this package does not include flights – travelers will make their own flight arrangements – this to provide greater flexibility for participants to extend their stay or travel sooner – feel free to contact Andre for more detail or Edie at Travelbrokers if you wanted/needed additional assistance for flight or extension accommodation bookings. Andre is a great host and I am sure he will provide an excellent experience.
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Vale Doug Payton
Sad news recently of the passing of Doug Payton, a long time Fortuna stalwart – Doug has not kept the best of health in recent years, yet always maintained a cheery disposition and he just loved his horses, particularly Leaderboard, who gave Doug the thrill of a lifetime when winning the Wellington Cup in January. Doug was 85 and had been involved in the kiwifruit industry as a grower during his working life. He his survived by his wife, Sylvia and his three adult children. Silvia tells me that Doug had a great send off and that on his casket he had a number of momentos, including his old pair of kiwifruit secators, a bottle of rum (which was his favourite tipple) and Fortuna colours. Rest in peace Doug.
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Guest Selector – Des Coppins
Here is what Des says for this week;
Hi John and Team
It wasn’t the start I was looking for last week. Skew Wiff, in running second at $2.80 fixed for a place with three units on, saved a wipeout but unfortunately Mustang Valley, the horse most punters banked on, me included, pulled up slightly lame. Hopefully she will return as good as she can possibly be in her next prep. because she is top class when right as her run in the Doncaster seven days earlier indicated. Let’s turn the page and focus on Saturday at Te Rapa.
The weather looks patchy at times but thankfully there’ll be more sunshine and wind than rain going on the current weather forecast and therefore the track and weather which is reading as showering and a soft 7 may either hold that rating or even improve a point to a soft 6.
I think Millefiori is as good a bet as any the way the track should play. She goes around in race 6 in the open 1400 with Joe Kamaruddin in the saddle. The last time Joe was on board she ran third to her stablemate Challa at Matamata on a slow track back in October. She’s well placed in this and 1400m appears to be her favourite distance. She hasn’t raced for 3 weeks and if you go through her form she seems to race well with her races spaced. It was a dominant win last time after being very keen in the running. She was the quickest from the 800 to the line on a slow track while two starts ago at Te Rapa she came home the quickest over the last 800 after copping a check at the start.
In a small field on Saturday she’s currently at odds of $4 and $1.50 and I reckon the one unit over 4 units is the best way to play her. Good punting.
Des
