Friday Flash – 19th August 2022

TRIDENT makes it back to back wins in Singapore Sunday 14^th AugustKING ARTHUR runs 2^nd in the Group One Lion City Cup

Donna Logan surges to the lead in the Singapore Trainer’s Premiership recording 4 wins on Sunday 14^th making it 41 wins for the season

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Fortuna has one runners this weekend  –   in Singapore

New Plymouth – Saturday 20^th August Meeting has been abandoned – LEADERBOARD, who was due to race there, remains in his box at Matamata 

Singapore – Sunday 21st August

OLYMPIA will contest the Class 5 1000 Poly – Race 9 @ 4pm Singapore time (8pm NZT) – will be ridden by Stable Apprentice Jerlyn Seow claiming 3kgs. Has had nine starts in the Fortuna Silks in 2022 for one win and seven prizemoney placings – he is no champion but is the model of consistency. This is his best distance – very unlucky last start getting chopped out with 150 metres to go – strong each way chance here

Taupo Wednesday 24th August

Five Fortuna runners to be nominated, MADAME MOET, MARLBOROUGH BAY, HAYATE, MOHAWK BRAVE and NAVALHA

Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday  16th August

No timed Fortuna trackwork today

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Saturday  13^th August

Briggs (Aslam) – 1000/600 38;

 

Other News

TRIDENT makes it back to back wins in Singapore Sunday 14^th August – see full story below from the Fortuna Racing website – note that TRIDENT had three starts in NZ for Fortuna in the spring of 2021 carrying the racing name POLARIS

TRIDENT, the 4yo Gelding by Deep Field out of Miss Fi simply proved too good for his opposition in the Novice 1400 metre event on the Turf at Singapore’s Kranji Racecourse. Torrential rain had delayed the start of the race by 25 minutes and caused some gloom in the camp as the view was that the horse may not appreciate the very wet going. However, in the capable hands of Australian hoop, Blake Shinn, TRIDENT (who carries the stable name “Bruno”) was soon to put those doubts to rest. Away nicely, but from a wide draw, Shinn eased his charge into a position one off the rail and slightly worse than mid field. The tempo was very quick and connections were a bit concerned as TRIDENT seemed to be drifting back in the field prior to turning, however Shinn had sensed what he had underneath him and was content to wait for the last run at them. On turning he spied a gap between two runners, but just as he went for it, one of those runners moved out sharply, causing Shinn to check his mount and then come off heels to get clear air. Once in the clear, TRIDENT really hit his straps, mounting a compelling run down the middle of the track, going to the line a clear winner with a 2 length margin over his stablemate, Montana Flash.

Click HERE to see the race replay

Fortuna boss, John Galvin, had traveled from his New Zealand base for the race day and was hosting a crew of 18 Fortuna clients and guests on track. Interviewed by presenter Pat Comerford after the race, he was an excited Syndicate Manager “I have to say we were a bit gloomy pre race with just how the weather had played out, but that was a very satisfying win – Blake Shinn had  been singing the praises of Trident to me for a little while now and for him to produce back to back wins is a great thrill – lovely ride by Blake, he is the ultimate professional in how he can judge the tempo. And full marks to Donna Logan who has handled this horse so well ever since he arrived at her barn in early February”

Click HERE to see Blake Shinn’s post race comments

Trainer, Donna Logan, who took over from Mark Walker late in 2021 as Te Akau Racing’s Head Trainer in Singapore,  produced four winners on the day and has surged to the lead in the Singapore Trainers with 41 wins in the current season. After TRIDENT’S victory, she was a very happy handler. “That was a mighty win from a very promising horse, he has not put a foot wrong in his three Singapore starts to date and was superbly handled by Blake Shinn – fantastic to have John Galvin here on course with his group of Owners – I love training the Fortuna Racing runners – they have now had 14 wins in the current season and I am sure there is a lot more to come.”

TRIDENT, bred by Mrs H G & W G Bax & JML Bloodstock Ltd, was offered for sale at the 2020 Karaka Book One Sale by Blandford Lodge and was acquired by Davis Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Racing for $70,000 – initially prepared in NZ by Jamie Richards, and with the racename POLARIS, he had three starts in the Spring of 2021 for a 3rd and two 4ths – believing that he would be a 3yo who would benefit from a bit more maturity and development, Jamie recommended that his Ownership Group should consider relocating him to Singapore for his future racing career, a recommendation that was taken up by the majority of his ownership group. Trident has now had three Singapore starts for a 2nd and two wins and earned over S$94,000 for his ownership group consisting of 49 individuals from NZ, Australia, Singapore and Hong KongNotable also that Trident syndicate Member, Ian Upson (that is him on the left in the Group photo), was in Singapore with his wife Sandra – Ian is a long time Fortuna Racing stalwart and, incredibly, this was his 99^th individual win with a Fortuna horse, with the mighty Melody Belle contributing 19 wins to the tally. With the firepower that Ian has in his current team in both NZ and Singapore, the century of wins is just around the corner

KING ARTHUR runs 2^nd in the Group One Lion City CupThe winner of 8 races from 19 starts in Singapore including the 3 previous previous in a row KING ARTHUR stepped up to Group One level in Singapore on the 14^th of August – although it was a big step in grade the camp were quietly confident that he could produce a solid performance and perhaps even a winning one. Australian Jockey Blake Shinn who was completing a four week riding stint in Singapore after leaving the Hong Kong riding ranks to return to Victoria, jumped him away well from a good barrier, settled one back and one off the rail in the run, was presented at the top of the straight, kicked clear and looked to be going like a winner but was rundown in the final stages by Lim’s Kosciusko, beaten ¾ of a length in the end by a horse who has now won 10 of just 13 starts in Singapore.I was there on the day hosting a group of 18 Fortuna supporters in one of the Corporate Suites – we all had a great day particularly with Donna training 4 winners, including the Fortuna runner TRIDENT in race 6, KING ARTHUR losing no admirers in running 2^nd in the Group One and then ENTERTAINER turning around a recent run of poor form by running 2^nd in the last with that man, Blake Shinn in the saddle. Fortuna Members there on the day were Iain and Shawn Leishman (Malaysia) TH and Gina Ng (Singapore), Greg McQuillan (Australia) and Ian/Sandra Upson, Graham Stewart, Mike Bruce, Ian Sherwin and Angela Potroz (New Zealand) – Peter Woods (Donna’s husband) was a guest along with Tim/Amanda Hopkins and a special guest was Hollee Bohr – Hollee is Singapore based rider Jake Bayliss’ partner – Hollee rides trackwork in Australia and knowing how she and Jake like to analyse race day form, I had invited her to produce a tip sheet on the day with 2 or 3 selections per race – it turned out to be an inspired request as Hollee tipped out 5 winners from 11 races to our Group!!!!

Donna Logan surges to the lead in the Singapore Trainer’s Premiership recording 4 wins on Sunday 14^th making it 41 wins for the season

This is an incredible story – thrown into the deep end in late 2021 by being appointed Te Akau Racing’s Singapore Trainer, Donna (who had been training on her own account in Singapore since 2018) grasped the nettle and while it took her a wee while to gain real momentum, the winners have flowed and flowed in recent weeks – see the story below from the Te Akau website

My four beats your two was the hand trainer Donna Logan played on Sunday night at Kranji racecourse in Singapore.

One behind premiership leader Tim Fitzsimmons beginning the meeting, Logan saddled four winners: Speedy Missile, Legacy Fortune, Trident and Charminton, to arrest the lead with 41 wins this season. Training since 2018 in Singapore, Logan officially joined Te Akau Racing on 1 January, taking over from Mark Walker, who returned home to train the Te Akau team at Matamata, and has hit her straps with 28 victories in the past 13 weeks. In addition, stable apprentice Fadzli Yusoff (a3) now leads the premiership against his peers after winning aboard Speedy Missile and Charminton for Logan, and including victory on Senor Don (Senor Candy) in the $100,000 Rocket Man Stakes (1600m). A total of 14 of his 16 wins this season have been for the Te Akau Racing Stable.

“It was fantastic to get four winners, three seconds (including a quinella) and a fourth,” Logan said. “Yusoff is leading apprentice now and is still a very humble person. He turned up for work this morning as though nothing had happened. He’s riding out of his skin, absolutely superbly. “I’ve had Blake Shinn here at the stables and he’s given all of our apprentices a pep talk. I said to Blake yesterday, you might have taught that one (Yusoff) too much.”

Making it two wins and two seconds from four starts, Charminton (4 g Charm Spirit – Sarzana) won the $50,000 Class 4 1200 metres for Yusoff. Purchased by David Ellis for $50,000 at the 2021 Inglis (October) Online Sale and syndicated among Te Akau stable owners, Charminton tracked nicely in fifth before bursting to lead inside the final 150 metres. “He’s done nothing you could fault the horse for and really stepped up,” Logan said. “He’s won $86,000 in stakes money, so not a bad effort for four starts.”

Ridden by Blake Shinn and carrying 57.5kg, Trident (4 g Deep Field – Miss Fi, by Makfi) beat stable-mate Montana Flash (4 g Star Turn – Dukemore), with Jake Bayliss aboard, in the $75,000 Novice 1400 metres. Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased Trident for $70,000 at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Blandford Lodge, for owners Fortuna Racing (Mgr: John Galvin). His sire, Deep Field was a highly regarded Group 2 winner in Australia, by the ill-fated emerging stallion and sire of sires Northern Meteor (Encosta de Lago), while beautifully bred dam-sire Makfi (Dubawi) left NZ Horse of the Year Bonneval and New Zealand Filly of the Year Sofia Rosa. Trident, then named Polaris, debuted last October with a really good effort for fourth at Taupo, and repeated that with a solid third at Matamata, then a fourth in November at Te Aroha, and transferred to Te Akau’s Kranji operation following a spell at Te Akau Stud.
“Trident’s win was great for Fortuna Racing who had 18 clients over to see their horses race,” Logan said. “Trident won, King Arthur finished second in the Lion City Cup (Gr. 1, 1200m) and Entertainer also finished second for them. “Trident has won over $94,000 in three starts, which is a lot of money for a young horse, and he looks more than capable of winning a $50,000 Class 4 race at his next start.

“Legacy Fortune is raced by a very good Thai owner, who is a good stable supporter, and he’s had five starts for me, producing two thirds and a win. He’d won in Ireland before he came here.
“Speedy Missile is one I inherited from Mark (Walker) for long time Te Akau owners Ronald Lau and Dato Terry Lee and his daughter Theresa. “And Ben Kwok races Montana Flash, who finished second to Trident.

“King Arthur was really good in the Group One, it was his first time in that company and at weight-for-age, just going down to Lim’s Kosciuszko the superstar horse in Singapore. It was a great effort by King Arthur, who has won eight of his 20 starts, and posted six seconds, two thirds, and has now won $387,000 in prize money. He was a $24,000 purchase, so it’s a very good result really.

Overall, Logan could not be happier with proceedings. “The team morale is outstanding and we just want to keep the momentum going,” she said.“I said to Dave (Ellis) that I’ll be over for the Ready to Run Sale in November at Karaka, get a chance to meet some of our Te Akau owners and hopefully buy a couple of nice horses to race in Singapore.”

Obituaries

Sadly, two wonderful Fortuna Racing stalwarts have passed away this week

Iain Fletcher from Wanaka left us earlier in the week after a short illness – Iain was a retired farmer from Central Otago who had had a lifelong interest in thoroughbreds and had been in many of our horses over the years, including Hidden Promise, Darci’s Dream, Windborne, Chance To Dance, Federation, Red Rover, Entertainer, Elliot Ness, Mohawk Brave and Madame Moet – altogether Iain enjoyed wins from 24 individual runners and 58 wins in total – Iain was a life long bachelor – our sympathies go out to Iain’s extended family.

Later in the week we heard of the passing of Lorraine Scoullar – Lorraine had been diagnosed with cancer about three years ago and had bravely endured ongoing treatments over that time but sadly lost the battle. I had got to know Lorraine and her husband Don very well over the years, particularly through their association with the Melody Belle syndicate. Lorraine just loved Melody Belle to bits and even when she was suffering the ill effects of her cancer treatment, she would insist on doing her best to get to her race days. Lorraine and Don live in Tawa (Wellington) in their retirement. We extend our deepest sympathies to Don and Don and Lorraine’s children and extended family.

Finally, we acknowledge the passing of Sylvia Fenton – Sylvia was the much loved Mother of our good friend and business associate, Karyn Fenton – Ellis. Karyn is well known to many of us of course and I am sure you will join with me in extending our condolences to Karyn and David, and their daughters Lydia and Julia-Rose

 

Guest Selector – Des Coppins

In the winter it’s almost unbelievable to think your horse may finish just over a half length from the winner and only run 5th!! Sadly that was the outcome with Teen Titan in the last on the expected holding track at Tauranga last Saturday. Perhaps in hindsight if the horse was able to get off the fence and make a centre charge he may well have won. But in racing as we know there are always “ifs” and “buts” and there will also be another day for Teen Titan.

The trend with my Fortuna item each week has indeed worked pretty well on the “another day” scenario.Cholula, who I labelled as a good value bet at Hawera at her preceding start, got the job done at 14 to one at Woodville on Friday. I’m sure some of you stuck with her!

This week the weather bomb will make things  interesting and neither New Plymouth nor Ruakaka have escaped the big wet leading up to their respective meetings. I’m doing a multi this week and sticking to a pair that haven’t totally let us down on the punt yet! Sonofabutcher in the last at Ruakaka coupled with Cork in the Interprovincial at New Plymouth. The “butcher” is to be ridden by Opie Bosson who will get the best out of this subsequent unlucky runner. We were on last time and I’m sure it would have been closer than it’s eventual third if I wasn’t forced to run in the part of the track that wasn’t conducive to winning runs for most of the day at Te Rapa.

Cork was in a black type race last time and she hit the line solidly. It’s a good field on Saturday but of slightly lesser quality to her last run. The track conditions are made to order. She’s the bet of the day.
Bookies have her at $2.70 at print time while out other leg should be around $3.70 on my book. That’s almost 10 to one on a multi if that’s the case.

We’ve only published one multi for the Fortuna clan before and we grabbed the win.  Let’s hope for a repeat!

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).========================================================================================