Friday Flash 24th September
Fortuna has one runner Saturday 18th September in NZ, five in Singapore the same day and one at Te Aroha Sunday 19th
New Zealand
Khafeef starts at Awapuni on Saturday in the Rating 65 2200 – race four at 2.03pm -running a nice 4th over 1600 on resuming at Hawera recently, the extra distance will suit him perfectly – does have a heavy track to contend with which could be a concern but if he handles the track he can certainly feature
Charmaine’s Dream is set to resume at Tauranga Sunday, 26 September in the Rating 65 1200 – race eight at 4:05pm and is to be ridden by Michael Mcnab from barrier one – track is heavy though which is a concern and she may not take her place if trainer Jamie Richards considers the track is too heavy for her. She is a talented galloper who has won on the track before probably does need reasonable track conditions to shine and will take improvement from the race if she does run
Singapore
Hidden Promise is in the Class five 1600 Turf – race one at 4 pm – will be ridden by Shafiq Rusof – this horse is always a chance in the sort of race and has been racing in great recent form – has a slightly tricky draw to overcome but if he can do so is certainly a good each way chance
King Arthur contests the Open Maiden 1000m Poly – race four at 5:30 pm – to be ridden by Shafiq – once again has an extremely tricky barrier draw to contend with, however he will be ridden positively from the gates – needs an ounce of luck, but if he gets it is certainly good enough to feature in this race
Here is what the STC tipsters say about this race
1st Pick: KONAN (8)
Four-year-old son of Nicconi out of an unraced Magic Albert mare and is a half-brother to a sprint winner over 1181m. He has won a couple of trials and has looked good in both. This race lacks a little bit of depth outside of the top two or three chances and it could pay to stick with this newcomer.
2nd Pick: HOLY ELEANOR (11)
Has been expensive to follow this mare. Turned over at odds of $9, $8 and $7 most recently behind Master Player (has won again since). She is well drawn to go forward and does have the best form in the book. Take a little on trust, though.
3rd Pick: MELLAD (1)
Interesting runner back on the turf and finds an easier race to tackle here. Went close to winning in the UK on turf and should be included here.
4th Pick: KING ARTHUR (2)
Has a shocker of a barrier here but comes into this in good order and is one for the multiples
Marcus Antonius is in the Class five 1600 Turf – race six at 6:30 pm and will be ridden by Shafiq – has drawn very wide in this race and so will need a lot of luck, however will be ridden positively from the gates to take up a better than midfield position – if he does get good luck in the running he can certainly feature given his good recent form
Hadeer races in the Class three 1200 Turf – race nine at 8 pm – this strapping son of Savabeel has been a revelation in recent times in Singapore winning his last two races from the front with good winning margins – up to class three this time will certainly test him, but has drawn the ace barrier which will suit his racing style perfectly and to be ridden again by Jerlyn Seow claiming 4 kgs, bringing his carried weight down to 50 kg – presents as a strong each way chance and can win
Here is what the STC tipsters say about this race
1st Pick: HADEER (5)
All three of his career victories in Singapore have come at this distance. Looking for a hat-trick of wins here today.
2nd Pick: STARLIGHT (2)
Winner of the Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic two starts ago and can look to bounce back from a disappointing run last start where he pulled hard.
3rd Pick: PATTAYA (7)
Has an impressive record over the course and distance. Has had a couple of nice trials leading up to this.
4th Pick: WATER ROCKET (10)
Back to winning ways last start in a weaker grade but was dominant. Has been placed in this grade and should figure here.
Elliot Ness starts in the Class four 1000m Poly – race 10 at 8:30 pm and will be ridden by Singapore‘s leading jockey, apprentice K Hakim, who claims 2 kilograms and will jump from barrier 2 in this race – slightly disappointing at his resuming run three weeks ago, he has taken big improvement from that race – his winning race earlier this season was in track record time Gets a lovely draw here and a top rider aboard – should prove very hard to beat
Here is what the STC tipsters say about this race
1st Pick: ROMANTIC (4)
Back from a freshen-up. Might find this a tad sharp, but if they roll along early, he can finish over the top of them.
2nd Pick: HEADHUNTER (3)
Tried hard last time out. Drops back to 1000m. Only query is the horror gate. Tongue-tie on. If he can overcome that, he is worth following again.
3rd Pick: ELLIOT NESS (8)
Has not quite lived up to promise, but to his credit, he did have an uninterrupted run a few times. Lovely barrier. Can bounce back.
4th Pick: MAGNIFIQUE (1)
In his element here. Usually races up with pace but may get caught wide from awkward alley. Still looks the goods for a place on board.
Fortuna Horse Trackwork Matamata
Tuesday 21st
Thick fog prevented times today
Ragamuffin (R Khan) galloped over an easy 800 metres.
Madame Moet (H Durrant) worked at three quarter pace over 800 metres.
Mohawk Brave (C Thornton) galloped over an easy 800 metres.
No Fortuna timed trackwork Thursday 23rd
Other News
Fortuna’s BEAU GESTE wins Open Steeplechase at Wanganui 23rd Sept by an incredible 38 lengths – Read More