Friday Flash – 25th August 2023

Fortuna Racing franked their run of recent success with another victory 24th August at Riccarton, winning the $17,000 Rating 75 1600 metres with Navalha (6 g Sebring – Afiado, by Encosta de Lago). Four starts ago Navalha recorded a strong victory in the Rating 65 1700 metres on 7 July at Awapuni (poly-track), before running fastest last 600m (33.3) for close fifth in the Rating 75 1600 metres on 28 July and finished well in the Rating 80 1400 metres on 9 August, both on the poly-track at Riccarton. Ideally drawn in barrier four and ridden by dual premiership winning jockey Michael McNab, Navalha travelled kindly behind a genuine pace, set by two pacemakers involved in a tussle, and once clear inside the 400m he quickened home to score by an increasing two and half length margin.

Click HERE to see the race replay

“It was a good win and a lovely ride of Michael’s,” said co-trainer Mark Walker from his Te Akau Racing Matamata base, while his fellow co-trainer, Sam Bergerson, was on course at Riccarton. “He’s going well on the synthetic tracks and a horse that everyone likes in the stable. He’s so quiet and we’ll continue on with his campaign down south.”In the race named CJC Stallion Tender Open Now, Navalha covered 1600 metres on the poly-track in 1:35.6 and the dominant favourite paid $2.20 & $1.40 on the NZ TAB tote. It was a clinical victory, aided by the tempo, and gives rise to loftier assignments in the future.

“Navalha”  – 5th career win – Riccarton 24th August – Michael McNab aboard

“You’re always a bit nervous when a couple get out in front like that, but it was a mile and seemed that before the point of the turn he was coming into it nicely and good to see him extend in the straight,” said Fortuna Racing Director, John Galvin. “He gets back and shown to need a trip, so getting back to a mile today was just perfect for him. The reason we’ve gone to the synthetic (poly-track) these last couple of months is because he doesn’t handle wet tracks. The synthetic tracks have their advantages, not just for Navalha. We’ve won twice with Angel Wings, once with Hayate, and now twice with Navalha on the synthetics  and right across the whole Te Akau stable, they’ve had a lot of success on that surface the last few months and now there are three synthetic tracks it’s giving us more options with these types of horses that are able to race over the winter months but don’t handle wet turf tracks. Navalha ran campaigned at Riccarton last year and actually won down the chute (1200m) on turf, so he’ll either pursue further synthetic options or race on turf once the weather conditions and footing improves. He’s also racing like he might get 2000 metres and the Spring Classic (Listed, 2000m) towards the end of October could suit, as will other options.”

Co-Trainer Sam Bergerson with Navalha, strapper Kendyll Lee and winning rider, Michael McNab

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 but then offered for sale subsequently.

Navalha is raced by the Fortuna Navalha Syndicate, an ownership group of 57 individuals

Navalha was strapped by Kendyll Lee