Friday Flash – 26th December 2024

 

Marokopa Falls wins at Trentham on debut – 7th Dec 2024 –
Craig Grylls aboard

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Headline News

Our Friday Flash is being published on Thursday this week

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Fortuna has six runners Thursday, Friday, Saturday – all in NZ

Wingatui – Boxing Day

QUEEN CONSORT contests the Maiden 1400 event – race 1 at 12.05pm with Ashvin Goindasamy taking the mount from a wide barrier. Disappointed on debut when sent out on a hot fave, but seemed not to handle the synthetic surface – has been working exceptionally well, but has wide draw and a Heavy track to contend with and will need luck – TAB says “improver here for sure, trifecta and first four chance” – showing $9/$3

SAILING AWAY races in the R65 1600 event – race 4 at 1.45pm with Diego Montes De Oca to ride  from barrier 9. Very good when resuming this grade and trip 21/11 at Timaru finishing a close up 4th – has taken good improvement from that run – wet track is a query but if he cops it will be right in this at the finish – TAB says “strips fitter and is sure to prove hard to beat” – showing $5/$2.05
NB – is a dual acceptor for Race 8 and would run in that if there are 3 scratchings

STAR SHADOW contests the Listed 3yo Fillies event over 1400m  – race 7 at 3.31pm with Ashvin Goindasamy to ride  from barrier 9. Average when resuming Trentham 7th Dec but had excuses – has more than her share of ability and should handle the wet track  – TAB says “better than fresh run shows – drawn out – quinella and trifecta must” – showing $6/$2.15

New Plymouth – Friday 27th

ANGELS  WINGS resumes in the R65 1100 event – race 4 at 2.34pm with Craig Grylls to ride  from barrier 4. Has not greeted the judge for 11 months but very rarely runs a bad race TAB says “twice trialed and ready to go fresh up – can handle all types of footing – top tier must” – showing $6/$1.55

RAGAMUFFIN contests the R75 event over 1600m  – race 7 at 4.39pm with Craig Grylls to ride  from barrier 2. Strong last start winner this trip R65 grade Woodville 17/11 –  this is harder, but great draw and top hoop aboard – good top three chance  – TAB says “class riser – drops 1.5 kg here and drawn well – has won on dry and wet ground” – showing $7/$2.15

Timaru – Saturday 28th

PORCIA CATONIS goes to the races for the 3rd time when contesting the Maiden 1200m  the R75 event   – race 2 at 2.10pm with Diego Montes De Oca to ride  from an outside barrier. Hopeless this track on debut 21/11, she was desperately unlucky not to win when 2nd up, beaten a nose at Riccarton 6/12 after a 3 wide trip from a wide barrier. Gets no respite again with barriers, drawing the outside in a big field, so will need luck to feature –  TAB says “wide draw, but is in a very winnable race here” – No odds showing yet

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Trackwork – Fortuna Runners

Saturday 21st December – Riccarton

Porcia Catonis (H Durrant) worked over 1000 metres in 1.11.3, home in 40.82.

Queen Consort (H Durrant) and Star Shadow (D Montes de Oca) worked over 1000 metres in 1.07.42, home in 37.89.

Saturday 21st December – Cranbourne

Dreamflight (C Wilson) worked over 1000 metres in 1.04.5, home in 36.78.

Leaderboard (R Armes) worked over 1000 metres in 1.06.7, home in 37.24.

Tuesday 24th December – Riccarton

Star Shadow (D Montes de Oca) worked over 1000 metres in 1.13.61, home in 42.24.
Tuesday 24th December – Cranbourne

Leaderboard (C Wilson) worked over 1000 metres in 1.13.4, home in 39.64.

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Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Compliments of the season to you John, your family and the army of Fortuna fans and good luck with all your runners over the festive period.

We have some great racing to look forward to on Boxing Day.

The 3 horses I handed out last week should not to be ignored when next produced. They didn’t all get the rub of the green  i.e Kingfisher ( restained to rear, over raced and threw his head up, had trouble finding racing room); Waiata ( checked at 350m with second quickest last 200) and Paravane ( 3 lengths from the winner in a handy maiden field where you’ll see some good solid form).

Here’s a multi to consider on Boxing Day. At time of writing both Ellerslie and Otaki are showing “ good” surfaces.

Ellerslie race three: Irish Legacy.

She was the best bet the last time she raced and it’s hard not to think this rising star won’t be my best bet come Thursday. She attacked a narrow gap and the line with great gusto three weeks ago and I can see a carbon copy performance again.

The Prophet, race 2 Otaki

Sam Collett is over from Queensland to do the riding and it should be a welcome return to the winners circle on home soil. He’s a progressive stayer who looked the part in winning at Trentham last time and punters should be flocking to him again. I can see him in Cup class on the next preparation.

Northeasterly, race one, Otaki

He got on heels from a wide draw first up for the season at Te Aroha but dashed home quicker than any other runner in all sectionals. The runner up in that race subsequently won over the rating 60’s at Matamata while the 5th horse that day finished third next time to the races.

At the time of the writing the odds on all 3 winning are around 32 to one.

My invitation for Fortuna readers to join up as a subscriber to my full email tipping service remains. You can either choose the one month sub ( January 1- January 31) for $100 or, the 3 month deal of $240 ( January 1 to March 31). Confirm now and you’ll receive individually my complimentary tips for Boxing Day and the rest of this month!

Simply email dcoppins@xtra.co.nz and all will be revealed

Good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

John says, Merry Christmas to you and your family also Des – I constantly hear from many of our Fortuna clients who have subscribed to your full tipping service expressing happiness and delight at the winning consistency of your selections, particularly the “best bets” – keep up the good work in 2025

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