Fortuna NZ Racing News

Equine babyboomer, ZABENE, "ageing disgracefully"

2011-12-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

The ZABENE story is a very interesting one. He was purchased as a regally bred yearling at the 2005 Karaka Yearling Sales by a well known NZ racing identity for $400,000. By ZABEEL out of the Danehill mare, Emerald Dream, he had a stallion’s pedigree. Emerald Dream’s Dam, Theme Song, was a half sister to successful Australian Stallions. Danewin and Commands and this is the family of the great Diamond Lover, Kaapstad and Marquise. However, as often happens with even regally bred Colts, ZABENE had to be gelded and his ownership group focused on turning him into a very good race horse.

It wasn’t easy for his handlers however, as ZABENE proved to be a very difficult horse to handle; he broke the hearts of many a trackwork rider because of his propensity to pull even while doing slow, steady pacework. It was clear from early in his career that ZABENE was always going to be a deadset stayer and he proved that by breaking Maiden Class as a 3yo over the 2000 metre distance.

ZABENE was tried with more than one trainer, but eventually finished up in the hands of Mark Walker at Te Akau Racing Stables, who quickly worked out that his charge was not a “big city” type and so transferred him to the relative peace and quiet of Te Akau’s South Island operation at Rangiora. The horse settled there nicely and in 2009 ran a bold race in the 3200 metre New Zealand Cup, beating all but My Scotsgrey. He was aimed at another NZ Cup campaign in 2010 and was all set to be very competitive. He missed the jump, however and rider David Walsh made a decision to go forward and loop the field, he hit the front probably earlier than connections would have liked, but nevertheless, put in a bold run to finish 3rd, beaten a nose and a half head by winner Showcause and runner up Titch. Both of those horses went on to run 1st and 2nd in the Auckland Cup (placings reversed however) in March 2011.

Shortly after the 2010 NZ Cup, a change of ownership was proposed for ZABENE. At that point, David Ellis endeavoured to secure ownership for FORTUNA SYNDICATES, but in the end, the minority shareholders put a deal together and obtained outright ownership. In their wisdom, they decided to transfer trainers, sent ZABENE to Stephen Mckee at Ardmore, just out of Auckland and aimed him at a North Island Cup’s campaign over the summer and autumn months. David Ellis said to FORTUNA Director, John Galvin, at the time, “ Stephen McKee is a great trainer , but I will tell you right now that ZABENE will not win from that stable; he will not settle there” David’s comments were based around the fact that he knew full well that ZABENE would struggle to settle in to a “big stable” environment and that he was a very difficult horse to ride in trackwork. And so it proved; despite running reasonably well at times during his North Island campaign, ZABENE did not show anything like the form he had showed in the South Island.

The outcome of all of this was that the new ownership group approached David Ellis in April 2011 and asked him if he would like to buy the horse; David immediately called FORTUNA’S John Galvin and asked him if the would like to syndicate the horse, to which John responded with an immediate “Yes.” Ownership was secured, John promoted a new syndicate to existing FORTUNA clients, all of the shares sold out in 36 hours, ZABENE spent 4 weeks in the paddock at Te Akau Stud and then went “home” to his favourite place, Te Akau Racing’s Rangiora base. Stable foreman, Neill Ridley soon had ZABENE on track with experienced jockey, Jillian Morris, as his regular track work rider. The principal aim for ZABENE was the 2011 NZ CUP to be run at Riccarton 12th November. ZABENE won a 1000 metre trial in August, then had a couple of lead up runs over 1600 metres, a distance that he had never won at in his racing career, but ran creditably in both. Next target was the NZ Cup Trial over 1800 metres at Riccarton on 1st October and after leading all of the way, ZABENE, defying his advanced years, cleared out from his opposition in the straight, winning by four and a a half lengths. Click here to view. A close 2nd in a Rating 90 event at Ashburton followed and then a more severe test, the (Listed) Metropolitan Gold Club Trophy was set as his next assignment on 5th November at Riccarton. Run over the 2500 metre distance, this race is an ideal lead up for the 3200 metre NZ Cup run the following Saturday. ZABENE drew wide at the tricky barrier draw just 200 metres before the turn out of the straight, but rider Matthew Cameron urged him forward and soon has his charge two out and one back, where he settled into a nice gallop through the race, moved up on the turn, kicked away in the straight and went onto win by a length under no pressure. Click here to view.

At this point the ZABENE ownership group, consisting of 27 people, not to mention trainer, Jason Bridgman, jockey Matt Cameron and Syndicate Manager, John Galvin were optimistic of a bold showing by ZABENE in the $225,000 Group Three NZ Cup due to be held the following Saturday. One chink in ZABENE’s armour however, is his inability to handle a wet track. The weather during the week was indifferent, however as late as Friday evening, the chances of getting a reasonable track on Saturday were looking good with only light showers forecast. During the night however, the heavens opened, steady rain persisted throughout the morning and by noon, the track had been downgraded to a Heavy 10, resulting in Trainer and Manager having to make the heartbreaking decision to late scratch ZABENE from the event.

Naturally, this was hugely disappointing for the connections but it was the right decision as John Galvin explains, “It would have been pointless starting him; he wouldn’t have galloped a yard in that ground and we would have only flattened the horse. Better to scratch and live to fight another day.” ZABENE has since been spelled and will resume in the Waikouaiti Cup on New Year’s Day and depending on his form that day, he may well travel to Trentham later in January to be aimed at the Trentham Stakes and the Wellington Cup.

And then of course, there is always the 2012 New Zealand Cup in November at Riccarton as the ultimate prize.

EATON strikes GOLD in Singapore

2011-09-03T23:52:00.000-07:00

Members of the Fortuna (No 17) Syndicate hit pay dirt at Singapore's Kranji racecourse Friday 2nd September when their 3yo gelding EATONS GOLD ( by Jet Spur-Road Ranger by Encosta de Lago) annihilated his opposition in a 1200 metre Initiation event on the polytrack.

It wasn't all beer and skittles in the moments before the race behind the starting stalls however. EATON (as EATONS GOLD is nicknamed) is fairly highly strung and his connections, on two previous occasions, had to endure a late scratching of their charge. The first occasion was in New Zealand in March, when at just his second race day start, he reared up in the barriers and was withdrawn; the second just s few weeks ago in Singapore when he lost a racing plate at the barrier and could not be reshod in time.

On this occasion, EATON had been "toey" in the parade ring and then there were delays getting other horses to load, during which time EATON was getting more and more fractious. Eventually however, he loaded into the starting gates and the race was underway.

EATON had drawn out at barrier eleven of twelve and the raceday plan had been for jockey, Ronnie Stewart, to ease him back and look to finish the race off strongly. EATON jumped really well from the wide draw, however, and Stewart seized the opportunity to go straight to the lead. Once in front, EATON really turned up the wick, running his 2nd 200 metre sectional in just 10.74 seconds. As a result he was some six lengths in front of his opposition as they turned for home. In the straight, he maintained a strong gallop, but drifted about ten horse widths wide, however still won the race by three and a half lengths easing down. Click here to view video of his win

FORTUNA Director, John Galvin, was deservedly very happy with his charge. "We have always known he had more than his share of ability. His debut trial last November was very strong, running 2nd to SUPER EASY, who has gone on to be a very good horse, but a series of events had conspired to keep him out of the winners circle. His owners deserve huge credit for accepting the advice from trainer Mark Walker and myself to take him to Singapore. There is always a risk in that, but from just three race day starts in Singapore, he has now won S$40k and the way he won on Friday night, you would think there is a lot more to come yet."

Trainer Mark Walker was also very relieved and happy. "EATON can be a handful at times but there is no doubting his ability. I still don't think he has acclimatized fully here in Singapore yet, so now I plan to give him a short spell to freshen him up mentally and get some condition onto him. I am sure he will benefit hugely from that."

EATONS GOLD was acquired by Te Akau Racing Stables David Ellis at the NZ Bloodstock Select sale at Karaka, New Zealand, in February 2010 and then offered to FORTUNA SYNDICATONS for syndication. The ownership group consists of 34 people, of whom a number are first time owners.

Strong week for Fortuna NZ hopefuls

2011-08-24T04:12:00.000-07:00

New Zealand had a definite "spring" in its step this week with fine and sunny, albeit with frosty mornings, weather conditions during the week. Horse trainers in particular had a "spring" in their step as the improved weather conditions made life a lot easier for them and their equine charges.

There was also a definite international feel to the Fortuna NZ Stable this week with three trialists at three different venues on Tuesday 23rd. The promising 3yo, JETSET MAN (Golan-Jestet Doll) was trialing at Cambridge, the veteran ZABENE ( Zabeel-Emerald Dream) was to trial at Ashburton while in Singapore, stable star TELL A TALE (Tale of The Cat-Cheeky Veronika), now a six year old, was to trial after a long lay off following fetlock surgery in the autumn.

Eight year old, ZABENE, ridden by regular track work rider, Jillian Morris, was first out of the blocks and it is plain that his handlers at Te Akau's southern base at Rangiora had forgotten to tell him that he is an eight year old as he lined up for his 1000 metre trial, running along nicely in third place, quickening on straightening into the home stretch and extending nicely to win by a head. ZABENE is being aimed at the NZ Cup at Riccarton in November.

At Cambridge, JETSET MAN presented as a strong, classy type in the parade ring. He had previously won his first trial on a Heavy track at Te Aroha in May; the Good track at Cambridge was going to present a different challenge. Drawing wide at the barrier, JETSET MAN, in the hands of Matthew Cameron, flew the gates and finished up on the speed just outside the leader. he hit the front at the top of the straight, got a little lost out on his own and was just run down on the line by half a head. Trainer, Jason Bridgman declared himself very happy, saying that JETSET MAN would take huge improvement from that run and was ready to go to the races. He will probably make his debut at Taupo on September 14th.

Meanwhile in Singapore, TELL A TALE ran in a 1000 metre trial on the Polytrack. The trial was notable by the inclusion of Singapore sprinting star, ROCKET MAN. It was always going to be a quiet trial for TELL A TALE, the winner of more than NZ$1.5m on the track, with trainer Mark Walker just bringing him along quietly; his ultimate goal this spring being the Singapore Gold Cup in November. TELL A TALE loped along at the back of the field and finished the trial off nicely, although unplaced. he will trial again in two weeks time before contrasting the S$200,000 Committee's Prize on September 18th.

To cap the week off, Te Akau Racing Stables NZ trainer, Jason Bridgman announced that impressive last start winner, Fortuna's MANNY PACUIAO, would travel to the Premier Day meeting at Hastings this Saturday 27th, to contest the Special Conditions race over 1200 metres that day.`

To cap the week off, Fortuna's Director, John Galvin, was also enjoying the spring weather. John is a shareholder in the up and coming young Sire, DARCI BRAHMA, whose progeny are really hitting the ground running as 3yo's. The stallion had two winners from two starters at Ruakaka races, Wednesday 24th and three nice trial placings from four runners at Tuesday's trials.

Naturally, the Members of the Fortuna NZ Syndicates are looking forward with a lot of anticipation to the weeks and months ahead as Spring racing takes off.

MANNY PACUIAO delivers knock out blow to rivals at Taupo

2011-08-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

Filipino boxer MANNY PACQUIAO has earned superstar status as possibly one of the greatest boxers of all time. In New Zealand, Members of the Fortuna (No 11) Thoroughbred Racing Syndicate have named their pride and joy, a four year old thoroughbred gelding, in his honor. Named MANNY PACUIAO, this big strong thoroughbred has had a number of setbacks in his transition of developing from a young untried horse at the Thoroughbred Yearling Sales at Karaka (Auckland) in 2009, to the mature horse he is today.,

Despite being four years old, MANNY PACUIAO (nicknamed GEORGIE by his supporters), had only had three race day starts, with the first being in May 2011. This was due to injury setbacks he endured as a younger horse, which required two lots of surgeries and long periods of recuperation. When he finally did get to the racetrack, he struck an unsuitable heavy, wet track on his debut and then, at this second start, was blocked for running room in the straight. Finishing 5th, he was desperately unlucky not to win that day.

So, to his small army of supporters who gathered at Taupo's race track on 12th August, a degree of trepidation reigned. On the one hand, trainer Jason Bridgman had indicated that the horse was ready to win, a view endorsed by Fortuna Director and Syndicate Manager, John Galvin, but on the other, could their GEORGIE overcome the weight of bad luck that had dogged his career to date.

MANNY PACUIAO had drawn the outside gate in a field of eight at the barrier start. The race plan was to let him start quietly, race him near the back of the field and then look to swoop on the leaders in the home straight. However, as if with a mind of his own, GEORGIE jumped brilliantly from the start and finished up just one length off the race leader. Te Akau Racing Stables rider, Matthew Cameron, went to Plan B and allowed the horse to stride along just off the pace. The race distance was 1300 metres and at about the 500 metre mark, he allowed the horse to stride forward and take the lead on the point of the turn. Cameron kept the horse balanced around the turn and then, as they straightened, he let GEORGIE have his head. Within a few strides, he had put a couple of lengths on the rest of the field and, maintaining a strong gallop, he crossed the finish line in first place untested by the opposition.

Fortuna Director, John Galvin, at the post race celebrations, paid tribute to trainer Jason Bridgman and his staff. "Jason has worked extremely hard with this horse, helping him overcome his setbacks; he never lost faith in the horse's ability and now, he and we have reaped the rewards."

MANNY PACUIAO will now be assessed over the next couple of days and a follow up race set for him once trainer, Jason Bridgman, is satisfied that he has come through his debut winning performance in good physical shape.

The equine MANNY PACUIAO may have a way to go yet to equal the exploits of his illustrious namesake, but his first victory is still very sweet.

EATONS GOLD runs 2nd in Singapore

2011-08-07T15:59:00.000-07:00

There were anxious moments for the small legion of supporters of the New Zealand galloper, EATONS GOLD, as he lined up for the start at Singapore's Kranji racecourse on Friday 5th April. Anxious because at his previous start attempt, three weeks earlier, he had lost a racing plate (horseshoe) on his way to the start and was unable to be reshod in time to meet the starter's deadline, resulting in a late withdrawal. Painful moments if you are a shareholder in a nice horse and you are keyed up for a race start, only to watch that sort of drama unfold in front of your eyes on the TV screen.

What made that event even more painful was that at a previous start in New Zealand, back in April 2011, EATONS GOLD had also been a late withdrawal, after rearing up in the starting barriers.

Back to Friday 5th August. The other factor concerning EATONS GOLD connections was his wide barrier draw, having drawn 11 from 12; this was going to make his task at hand very difficult indeed over the relatively short 1200 metre distance. Trainer Mark Walker had determined that the best tactic, given the wide draw, was to ease the horse back from the start and hope to get some luck in the running.

From the start, EATONS GOLD jumped out very well and was just in behind the leaders to start with; jockey Ronnie Stewart, true to the trainer's instructions, eased him back and he finished up racing about mid field, although three wide as he could not slot in closer to the running rail. Stewart then worked EATONS GOLD into the race to challenge the leader nicely on the turn, although still three lengths adrift. The leader, STORM ARC, had had the run of the race and skipped away on the turn and although EATONS GOLD tried valiantly down the straight, showing a great turn of foot from about the 300 metre mark, he could not reel the leader in.

EATONS GOLD racing manager, JOHN GALVIN, was well pleased with the effort however, "It is extremely difficult to win from a wide barrier draw from the 1200 metre mark on the Polytrack course at Kranji," he said, " given a good draw next time, he will be hard to beat as he will have taken a lot of natural improvement from that run."

EATONS GOLD is by the Australian Sire, JET SPUR and is raced by the Fortuna (No 17) Syndicate, comprising an ownership group of twenty seven people.