Headline News
Fortuna 5yo Mare HAYATE wins on Cambridge Synthetic
NZB Insurance Pearl Series Revamped by Entain & NZTR and NZ Bloodstock
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Fortuna has one runner in Singapore this Sunday
Singapore
ELLIOT NESS races in the Class 4 1200 Poly event – Race 6 @2.30pm Singapore time (6.30pm NZ Time) with Bruno Quieroz to ride from the barrier 10. He produced a strong last start winning performance Class 5 1100m Poly two weeks ago – up in grade, up in trip and has a tricky draw to contend with this time. Has very good gate speed and an in form rider aboard and just 52kgs on his back. Luck in running and a heady ride can see him feature in the finish here
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Fortuna Track work – Matamata
No Fortuna timed trackwork this week
Fortuna Track work – Singapore
Saturday 12th August
RHETT BUTLER (YUSOFF)1000/600-35.8; ROCKY (YUSOFF)1000/600-36;
Tuesday 15th August
ELLIOT NESS (YUSOFF)800/600-39;
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Other News
Given a perfect trip by Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar, Hayate (5 m Maurice – Vamoose) won the $17,000 Cambridge Equine Hospital Rating 60 1550 metre event on 16 August at Cambridge (poly-track). Finding heavy ground too testing in the depths of winter, most recently over 1560 metres on 5 July at Rotorua, Hayate had a break of 42 days between runs and displayed plenty of fresh vigour in her performance. Drawn the ace barrier, Hayate was advantaged immediately when two horses ahead of her entered into a tussle for the lead while she sat third. The race still looked open when she ranged among a group turning for home, but the persuasion of Parmar saw her draw clear over the final furlong to score easily. Winning by two and a quarter lengths, Hayate paid $4.90 & $2.30 on the NZ TAB tote.
Click HERE to see the race replay
HAYATE – 3rd career win – Cambridge 16th August 2023
“It was a lovely win and she was very well ridden by Parmar,” said co-trainer Mark Walker, who with Sam Bergerson celebrated their first win together with Cote de Beaune on 2 August at Cambridge. “It gives us more options with her going forward, knowing that she can handle the synthetic track at race tempo and I think she’s a mare that should also cope getting over more distance, especially being that little bit stronger in this preparation. Well done to John Galvin and his Fortuna Racing team – I trained my first winner for John (Kapsdan) in September 2003 so we have had a wonderful 20 year association with many, many winners”
A winner on debut in May 2022, Hayate recorded her third victory for owners in the Fortuna Hayate Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), having been purchased for $80,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM on behalf of Fortuna Racing at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud.
Fortuna Director John Galvin was on course, along with several Members of the Ownership Group, to witness his charge’s victory and commented post race “The race plan from the inside draw was to try and hold the rail if she could, but obviously the first two were pretty keen to get on with the job and Parmar did the right thing, he eased, got her nicely settled, had her off the rail before the (home) turn, was in a position to challenge and she was too strong for them.
“She looked ready to race well and Rating 60 does suit her. She’s won in the same grade before, was just looking for a decent surface and the synthetic provided that. The freshen up after her last start and blinkers off today were the training master strokes, blinkers off allowing her to relax a bit more and she got the job done really well”
Hayate and Niranjan Parmar return to scale
Raced by the Fortuna Hayate Syndicate, an Ownership Group of 60 individuals, Hayate was acquired for $80,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Racing at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud.
Hayate was strapped by by Stephanie Hyde-Richards.
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NZB Insurance Pearl Series Revamped by Entain & NZTR and NZ Bloodstock
- Payments have been doubled and no increase to Nomination Fee
- New $100k Pearl Bonus Series Final to be run in the Autumn
Adding to the list of further boosts Entain and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing have made to New Zealand’s racing industry in recent months is the delivery of enhanced Pearl Series bonuses for fillies and mares. Entain, NZTR and NZB Insurance have collaborated to provide continued support of fillies and mares racing in New Zealand, with all current Pearl Series bonuses now doubled for the 2023-24 racing season.
The refreshed Series will be renamed the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series and will see a boost in bonuses paid out to Pearl Series nominated horses. The winning Owner will receive a $20,000 bonus, increasing from $10,000, as well as the winning Trainer and Nominator receiving $1,000 each, a $500 increase respectively. In addition to this, the Owner of the filly or mare that places second will receive a $4,000 bonus (increased from $2,000), with the Owner of the third placegetter earning a $2,000 bonus (increased from $1,000).
Adding further appeal is the creation of a $100,000 Pearl Series Bonus Final to be run in Autumn. The Final will be open to Pearl Series registered horses only, up to five years of age. Southern and Central-based horses who make the Final will also be provided with travel subsidies to compete. Conditions for the $100,000 Pearl Series Bonus Final are still being finalised and more information about the race will be released shortly.
NZTR CEO Bruce Sharrock confirmed this new initiative, “This is a great enhancement for racing and its Owners. The boost in bonuses will apply to all fillies and mares currently entered in the race Series, as well as new nominees wishing to enter for this coming season. Nominations will be reopened until the end of August. Promoting the participation of fillies and mares racing carries advantages not only to total field sizes but also bringing benefits to owners with increased stakes and in turn enhancing the race record of their filly or mare as a valuable breeding proposition. A number of high-profile New Zealand Thoroughbred mares have graduated from the Pearl Series including Group One winners Avantage, Belle En Rouge, Levante, Melody Belle and Probabeel. We would like to thank Entain for their continued innovation in New Zealand racing, as well as NZB Insurance who have now sponsored the Pearl Series for over a decade,” he said.
The Pearl Series boost comes after a full review of the bonus structure was completed ahead of the 2022-23 season, which saw Pearl Series bonuses for registered fillies and mares extend to those who finished second and third in Pearl Series races. It was also extended to include five-year-old race mares which was welcomed by the racing community.
Jim Bruford of NZB Insurance commented on the significant boost to the company’s 11-year Pearl Series sponsorship. “We were a major supporter of the Pearl Series when it was initially developed in partnership with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association because of the benefit it gave to fillies’ racing in New Zealand. We have been sponsoring the Series for 11 years, proving that Pearl Series races are hotly contested events, drawing maximum fields and developing good betting revenue, giving fillies an opportunity to race to assist us in developing our breeding stock. Throughout the 11 years of the Pearl Series, NZB Insurance has received remarkable support from the industry in recognising our initial sponsorship. Having Entain on board to further strengthen the Pearl Series in the coming years is a tremendous boost to our philosophy of supporting fillies racing in New Zealand,” Bruford said.
Administered by the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, 2023 nominations have now been reopened and will close on Thursday 31 August. There will be no increase in nomination costs, with the entry fee remaining at $1,500 + GST.
What you need to know about the Pearl Series enhancements:
- Up to 100 races per season
- Each race now carries a total $26,000 stake bonus
- Trainer and Nominator bonuses have also doubled, now at $1,000 each
- $100,000 Series Final Race Bonus, run in the Autumn and a travel subsidy for Southern and Central District horses who qualify
- No increase in nomination costs
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Guest Selector
Gary got his Guest Selector role off to a flying start last week with two of his three selections greeting the judge, one at $8 odds!!!
Here is what Gary has to say about this weekend’s racing
Hi John and the Fortuna Team
Ruakaka fields a little thin on depth, hence mainly skinny odds on offer to build on last weeks boosted kitty. But small fruit are often the sweetest!!
Two winners stand out as “class specials”
Race 1 Malfy Rose [ $3.50] and Race 5 Trobriand [ $2 ] both look winners – and a nice multi.
In Race 3 , former Hong Kong galloper, Wanderin Apache is getting on in age and has a good horses weight, but he has deserved it and should relish his trip to beach. At $4.20/ $2 is each- way all -day from rails draw .He trialed nicely.
In Race 4 Rising Tide is debuting as a 4 year old but trialed nicely enough. He has top jockey aboard and if he has inherited any of his parents [Darci Brahma and Sea Change] talent then he should deal to this maiden field. At $8 / $3 he looks each-way all-day !
Race 6 …skinny odds, but Chevron and Current Surge looks the likely Quinella.
Ruakaka, with rain forecast can throw a few curve balls so only risk half of last weeks profit.
And remember to bet with your shoelaces not your shoes !
And if you have the urge for a nibble on Sunday, look at Smug in hurdles, Race 1.
No quotes out should be $8 and $3 in field with a bit of form !
Cheers,
Gary
