Fortuna to strike it Lucky
LA FORTUNA has been found a good opportunity to open her account at the third attempt at Southwell.
The Charlie Wallis-trained filly was an unconsidered 25-1 shot for her racecourse debut at Chelmsford in October and for much of the sixfurlong contest it was not difficult to see why.
A very slow start meant she was up against it from the off, after which she appeared to have no idea what she was doing.
However, she began to get the gist of it inside the final furlong and she offered plenty of hope for the future in finishing third.
She was understandably more prominent in the market on her second start at Lingfield and showed the benefit of that initial experience, making much of the running before eventually being mowed down by hot favourite Beauden Barrett.
La Fortuna comfortably reversed the form with Chelmsford second Equinette, clear evidence of her progress, and a similar level of improvement would make her hard to beat in the Betway Median Auction Maiden Stakes under Luke Morris.
Morris could well complete a double, with Captain Revelation expected to enhance his fine record at the track in the sunbets.co.uk Handicap.
In six previous visits to the Newark circuit, Tom Dascombe’s fouryear-old has never finished out of the first two, hitting the bullseye on three occasions.
He completed his course hat-trick in good style here a fortnight ago and while he will need to defy a career-high mark to add to his tally, he looks in the mood to do so.
All-weather fare also comes from Kempton, where Outrage is the standout bet in the 32Red Handicap.
Daniel Kubler’s inmate was produced with a well-timed run when winning a shade cosily at Newcastle on Friday and it is no surprise to see him turned out quickly under a penalty.
The first-time blinkers seemed do bring out a little improvement in the four-year-old and provided they have the same effect, he has every chance of following up, especially if they go hard in front.
Hint Of Mint has been hinting his turn is not far away and the Weatherbys Racing Diaries ``Confined’’ Handicap Hurdle at Taunton looks a good fit.
The seven-year-old was rated in the 140s in the spring of last year, but has been given a chance by the handicapper after spending over a year and a half on the sidelines.
The former Nick Williams runner made his comeback for Harry Fry and looked badly in need of the run on his Ascot return.
A third placed finish at Wincanton was a small step in the right direction, before he was caught on the line here a couple of weeks ago.
He has previously won twice over this course and distance and given he should now be approaching peak fitness, he really ought to be competitive from his current perch of 128.