Friday Flash – 1st November 2024

BELLATRIX STAR –  5th Raceday win – Caulfield 12th October 2024 – Craig Williams aboard

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Headline NewsThree Fortuna runners will grace the turf at Flemington on Derby Day -BELLATRIX STAR  in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes, WEST INDIES in the Group One VRC Derby and OUR PARAMOUR in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes

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Fortuna has four runners on Saturday, one in NZ, three in VictoriaTauranga – Saturday

INCA BELLE contests the R65 1300m event – race 5 at 2.28 pm withJoe Doyle  to ride from  barrier 3. Is resuming and so needs to cope with the 1300 meter trip first up, however she has been well prepared, has an inside barrier draw and a strong rider aboard – can feature in thisTAB says “class dropper resuming. Twice trialed so forward. Has had three fresh up runs for two wins and replacing.” showing odds of $8.50/$2.80

OUR PARAMOUR runs in the Group Two Wakeful Stakes – race five at 3pm Aus time  (5pm NZ time) with Blake Shinn to ride from a wide barrier. An impressive last start winner at Cranbourne over 2025m, she steps up in grade here quite significantly, but has been very well prepared for this race and is the only runner in it that has actually won at 2000 m – draw is a little bit sticky, but, she will be ridden cold and should be mounting a powerfull finishing run closing stages of the race – her work has been outstanding during the week and we think she is a strong each way chance in this at very good odds. TAB says “has ability in the mix” showing odds of $26/$6

BELLATRIX STAR runs in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes – race six at 3.40 pm Aus time  (5.40 pm NZ time) with Blake Shinn to ride down the Flemington Chute. Has taken all before her in Melbourne this spring winning her last three races on all three Metropolitan tracks – meets fierce opposition here in this A$2 million race but is cherry riperepresents a very strong top three chance and can win. TAB says “keeps raising the bar, hard to knock” showing odds of $8.50/$2.80

WEST INDIES runs in the Group One VRC Derby – race seven at 4.20 pm Aus time  (6.20 pm NZ time) with Craig Newitt to ride. We have only owned this horse for nine days but since arriving in the stable he has eaten well and produced a very strong searching track gallop on Tuesday morning  – is very long in the market and has the “visitors draw” however he will be ridden cold and based on pedigree he could be running past many of these in the closing stages of this 2500 meter race – TAB says “keeps raising the bar, hard to knock” showing odds of $8.50/$2.80

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Guest Selector – Des CoppinsDes’ great run of winning selections continues for those on his full service

Here is what Des has to say this week for our readers

Greetings John and Team

Irrespective on what plays out on Derby Day can I congratulate Fortuna in having 3 runners on arguably the greatest race day on the Australasian racing calendar. Having multiple runners on such an important day is normally something you’d see from the big boys like Yulong, Godolphin, Arrowfield and company. It’s a monumental effort for sure and best of luck to all the owners who hold a share or two in those 3 gallopers.
We’ll be cheering!

Before looking at 3 horses to follow for not only this weekend but beyond let me thank recent registrations to my tipping line. While we had a few sign up last week I omitted to leave my email with you. It’s dcoppins@xtra.co.nz
The sub of $240 gst inclusive takes you from now until the end of January.
By registering your interest today you’ll not only receive privately to your email each NZ Raceday top 2 tips but this will be also extended for Derby Day tomorrow plus my trifecta for all groups one in Melbourne this spring. For the record my 3 tipped last week landed the Cox Plate trifecta at $88.

Of course the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday comes into play as well.

Last Saturday we nearly got the lot with Oppenheimer who many may well have backed at $21. The $5.50 for a place was satisfying.

Tauranga, r8, Jolted

The improving track conditions will assist this promising stayer and the run last time was a good indicator that she’s spot on for a peak showing on Saturday.
She likes the track with a win and a placing from just two starts here to back that up.

Tauranga, race 9, Navigator

He’s something of a late bloomer and this season he has really looked the part as a five year old.
He’s never been out of the money and runs through the bridal each time with real purpose.
Amazingly he’s only once been further than 3 lengths from the winner in his 11 starts.
He would handle anything from good to slow and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t run right up to the mark again.

Flemington , r 8, Alsephina

She’s a class act.
She’s new to Victoria with much of her form in Western Australia but her three runs in Melbourne have included a win at Moonee Valley and two placings at Caulfield and Flemington.
In all 3 runs she has jumped from double figure barriers and in her last 10 starts she’s never finished further back than third bar once!
On Saturday she will go from barrier 6.
She’s at good odds, around the $12 mark ahd is worth a look.
Good punting!

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