NAVALHA scores his 4th career win – Awapuni Synthetic
2yo Colt “Frankie” commences training at Newmarket in the UK
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Fortuna has three runners on Saturday, two in NZ and one in Singapore
New Zealand
Ruakaka
DANCARINA runs in the R75 1200m event – Race 3 @1.35 with Michael McNab to ride from an inside barrier. Has run with merit in two recent starts at Ruakaka since resuming for a 3rd and a 2nd. Talented at best, she is running into form nicely and can take this out – showing $3.30/ $1.40 on fixed odds
Trentham
BEAU GESTE contests the R65 2100 Duke Of Gloucester Cp for amateur riders – Race 5 @ 1.18pm with Sameer Mohammed to ride from the ace barrier barrier. Being prepared for jumping events after this, he has had one resuming run on the flat over 1600m at Woodville – this after 13 months away from the track due to a slight tendon strain. Has flat racing credentials but may need this run – showing $13/$4 fixed odds
Singapore
ELLIOT NESS races in the Class 5 1100 Poly event – Race 1 @12 noon Singapore time (4pm NZ Time) with Fadzlin Yusoff to ride with a 2kg claim. Holds the Track record this trip and surface, but his form recent starts has been moderate. Drops in grade here however and his most recent win was when he dropped to Class 5 last time. Has a wide barrier draw to overcome, so will need some luck in running, but if he gets it, he can run into the money
Here is what the STC tipsters have to say about this race;
1st Pick: OPUNAKE (4)
In a race littered with class droppers, this Jason Ong trained galloper looks the pick off his last run where he qualified for class 5 but stayed up in class 4 and went down a slim margin to Time Travel in slick time.
2nd Pick: DOC HUDSON (1)
The second of the runners for AP Tan in this race who makes his class 5 debut after a solid first up performance up in class 4 to only go down by 3.4 lengths, big chance.
3rd Pick: ELLIOT NESS (2)
Back down to class 5 for the first time in a while and off recent form, the drop down will be welcomed. Hopefully amongst this company he can find some form which we couldn’t see of late at the bottom of class 4. Can place here but needs to lift.
4th Pick: FLAK JACKET (3)
The old boy finds himself back to class 5 again and finally draws a gate for once in his life. Amongst class 5 company he is always a chance and is proven to carry weight, you would be silly to leave him out of the numbers and quartet plays.
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Fortuna Track work – Matamata
Wednesday 12th July
Dancarina (N Parmar) galloped over 1000 metres in 1.06.8, last 600 in 38.1.
Fortuna Track work – Singapore
Saturday 8th July
RHETT BUTLER (ASLAM)1000/600-39; ELLIOT NESS (YUSOFF)1000/600-38; KNIPPENBERG (ASLAM)1000/600-38;; ENTERTAINER(JAMIL)1000/600-38;
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Other News
NAVALHA scores his 4th career win – Awapuni Synthetic
A winner at Riccarton in the spring, Navalha (5 g Sebring – Afiado, by Encosta de Lago) returned to his best form for victory in the $14,000 Carters “Trade Leaders Now Online” Rating 65 1700 metres on 7 July on the Awapuni Synthetic track. After struggling a bit for form on wet turf tracks recently, the decision was made to try him on the Synthetic surface 16th July in the Rating 65 1400 metres, where he put in a strong finishing performance for 2nd. Up in trip to 1700m this time Navalha travelled well for rider Michael McNab in the early running, improved his position to three back inner nearing the 600m turning for home and once sighting daylight he burst through to record a compelling victory.
Click
HERE to see the race replay
It was patient handling by the current Champion jockey Jockey, recording his 150th win for the season and set to retain his title again this season, while the manner of victory suggested Navalha had advanced nicely for his last start effort.
“It’s good that he’s handling the poly-track surface so well and it’s always good to win races for Fortuna Racing, who are great supporters of the stable, and I think he’s got more wins in him too,” said trainer Mark Walker, who claimed another victory (195th) in a record-breaking season. “It was a lovely ride by Michael who is riding at the top of his game.”
“Navalha” – 4th career win – Awapuni 7th July – Michael McNab aboard
Raced by the
Fortuna Navalha Syndicate, Navalha has now recorded four wins in New Zealand including winning his first two starts over 1200 metres.
Fortuna Director,
John Galvin was on course at Awapuni along with a few Members of the Ownership group and was a satisfied Syndicate Manager after the race
“He’s a horse that has performed well against good horses at Premier level, but he has had some soundness issues, dislikes wet surfaces and so and it’s great to see him back in winning form for his owners – being an off the pace style runner has worked against him sometimes, but Michael gave him a lovely ride and it was a strong effort under 60kg. Great to see him run out the 1700m on the Synthetic and now that we know he can run that sort of trip, it opens a few more doors for him.”,
NAVALHA (which means “Razor” in Portuguese), a 5yo Gelding by Sebring out of the Encosta de Lago Mare, Afiado, was acquired by John Galvin on the recommendation of Mark Walker, for just A$27,500 from the Inglis Digital Sale in July 2020 after having been originally acquired by James Harron Bloodstock for A$475k as a yearling.
Navalha is raced by the Fortuna Navalha Syndicate, an ownership group of 57 individuals
Navalha was strapped by Kohen Collett
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2yo Colt “Frankie” commences training at Newmarket in the UK
Here is an opportunity to take shares in a galloper who will be prepared at Newmarket in the UK and be initially aimed at the “Classic” 3yo races in the English/Irish summer
Some key points
Pedigree – By that renowned Sire of Stayers, Mastercraftsman and out of a High Chaparral Mare, “Frankie” has been acquired as a staying prospect
Progamme – now in training since 2nd July, trainer Harry Eustace is aiming to have “Frankie” debut as a 2yo around the 1st November with a plan to have two or three races and if victorious that will set him up nicely to qualify for The Classic Guineas and Derby events (UK and Irish) run during May/June in 2024
Future Plans – if “Frankie” had performed at the top level in the Classic 3yo races during May/June 2024, he may well continue to race at the top level in the UK – if he has performed well on racedays without necessarily being in the elite class, then in Sept/Oct 2024, he would travel to Australia, join Mark Walker’s stable at Cranbourne and be aimed at the Staying events in Victoria and NSW – as you would be well aware, this type of horse tends to dominate such races in Australia
Shares are available at $1,000 per each 1% share and $44 per month ongoing from 1 August 2023 – Click HERE to visit the Fortuna website to see all information – online orders can be done on this page
About The Two Year Old Colt by Mastercraftsman out of Trikala
This lovely Colt was bred in Ireland and was acquired as a Two Year Old by the Deburgh Equine/Fortuna Racing combination at the annual Tattersalls Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale on 26th May 2023. International Bloodstock Agent Hubie De Burgh had identified this Colt as a genuine middle distance/staying type whose ideal racing trip would be 10 to 16 Furlongs. Hubie has recommended that he stay in Great Britain for his Two Year Old and Three Year Old racing seasons and then, depending on outcomes, consider to relocate him to Australia or New Zealand for his ongoing racing career.
Nicknamed “Frankie” in honour of the great Frankie Dettori who is in his last season of riding, he has been transported to the yard of Newmarket Trainer, Harry Eustace and is currently enjoying a three week paddock spell. He will come into work 1st July and be prepared for an Autumn Two Year Old campaign with the aim of having two or possibly three races October/November 2022. He would then spell over the winter months of December/January and come back into work 1st February to be prepared for his Three Year Old Season (he turns three on 1 January 2024) – obvious targets for him would be the UK and Irish 2000 Guineas events, both run in May of 2024 and the Epsom Derby or Irish Derby run in June 2024 and there are a number of lead up races for these event which enable the Trainers of promising 3yo types to assess whether their charges are genuine Guineas/Derby prospects and if not, there are a number of sideways options that can be pursued
The 2yo Colt by Mastercraftsman out of Trikala -“Frankie”
Pedigree
This Colt is by that wonderful Sire of genuine middle distance/staying types, the late Mastercraftsman (by Danehill Dancer) – the winner of seven races including the Irish 2000 Guineas. Mastercraftsman is the Sire of 930 winners, including 96 Stakes winners. A truly International Stallion, he shuttled to Windsor Park Stud and his stakes winners in this part of the world include Danzdanzdance, The Auld Floozie, St Emilion and Valley Girl. Our Colt is out of a High Chaparral Mare, Trikala, who had several placings in her racing career and has left a winner already in Trolius (by Cape Cross) who has won 4 times in the UK and the UAE. This is a pedigree page which contains significant black type.
Click
HERE to view
this Colt’s pedigree
Physical type
Standing 16 hands high and with a weight of 500kgs approximately, “Frankie” is a handsome bay, who walks well, has no vices and has a powerful galloping action. He was fully vetted by the Irish based Vet, Dr Thomas Hore, who passed him as suitable as a racing proposition.
Click HERE to see his breeze up at the Goresbridge Sale
Click HERE to see his parade at the Goresbridge Sale
Click HERE to see him parade at Newmarket with voice over from Trainer Harry Eustace
Preparation to date
This Colt was broken in as a Yearling, then given a good spell ahead of a light preparation before being presented for Sale at Goresbridge.
Racing Plans
“Frankie” has come into work 1st July andwill be prepared for an Autumn Two Year Old campaign with the aim of having two or three races October/November 2022. He would then spell over the winter months of December/January and come back into work 1st February to be prepared for his Three Year Old Season (he turns three on 1 January 2024) – obvious targets for him would be the UK and Irish 2000 Guineas events, both run in May of 2024 and the Epsom Derby or Irish Derby run in June 2024 and there are a number of lead up races for these event which enable the Trainers of promising 3yo types to assess whether their charges are genuine Guineas/Derby prospects and If not, there are a number of sideways options that can be pursued. In September/October 2024 (when he will be an Autumn 3yo) we will review his form and results and if we consider him to be a suitable type for Australian/NZ Racing, we will transport him to Victoria where he will join Mark Walker’s Te Akau Racing Stables at Cranbourne
Trainer’s view (Harry Eustace)
“John, Hubie and I are delighted to have acquired this Mastercraftman Colt for you. I was not at the sale, so did not lay my eyes on him until he arrived at my yard. He is a handsome, athletic type who walks very well. I have reviewed his breeze up gallop and he has a nice strong action. I am very excited to be able to train him for your Ownership Group and am looking forward to bringing him into work around 1st July.”
Syndicator’s view (John Galvin)
“Over the last six years we have selected four Irish/UK bred staying types as “tried horses”, Chance to Dance, Leaderboard, Khafeef and No Envy and all have won for us – I love the staying prowess of these types of horses. We did buy a 2yo Churchill Colt (My Finest Hour) in 2022 at a similar sale – he was also sent to Harry to train, but unfortunately he suffered a tendon injury just before making his race day debut. However undeterred by that setback we have gone back to the well and come up with this fellow. My assessment of this Colt is that he is a lovely looking horse, very athletic, strong staying pedigree and we secured him “under budget – he looks to be a very fine prospect for us.”
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Guest Selector – Craig Carter
Craig didn’t get out of the starting gates last week with his selection being withdrawn – here is what he selects this week
Hi John and the Fortuna Team – Well not a great start or a false start maybe with my selection Russian Satire last week being scratched. Watch out for when he does line up next but maybe they decided it was going to be too heavy at Te Rapa last Saturday.
This week I have turned my attention to Ruakaka and a nice 3 year old colt from Tony Pikes barn having its first start for this campaign.
My selection is Slipper Island in Race 6 with the Michael McNab aboard. This horse ran some very good races as a 2 year old and against some of the best around and now a year older and stronger finds a very winnable race to start off. He has had 2 trials to prepare, one which he won and the other a very comfortable 2nd.
Early fixed odds have him at $3.50 / $1.65 so well worth an each way bet of 2 over 3 for every $5 invested.
All the best – Craig
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