The Fortune family travel to Fairview in Port Elizabeth on Friday where their outstanding Nursery winner Carlita bids for a second stakes victory on the trot and steps up in ground to the 1400m.
Carlita – promising daughter of Oratorio
The Sporting Post’s Top Bet of the nine-race programme takes on eleven rivals when she contests the R150 000 Listed Lady’s Slipper.
The Piemonte Stud-bred bargain buy daughter of Oratorio is owned by Ashley Fortune in partnership with trainer Alan Greeff and his wife, Glenifer. Greeff saddles five of the twelve runners in the feature, which goes off at 16h10 and rounds off the jackpot.
A winner of 3 of her 4 starts – she was beaten into second in the Listed feature on Sun Met day – part owner Ashley Fortune’s stepson Aldo Domeyer does the riding honours and bids to register a hat-trick of wins on Carlita.
Ashley Fortune saddled a longshot winner at the Vaal on Thursday in the form of the speedy former Paul Reeves trained mare, Rebel’s Idol.
Ash and Andrew Fortune – with future champion Sean
Speaking to the Sporting Post after the win, the effervescent stable spokesman Andrew Fortune was upbeat and congratulated owner Charlmain Reeves.
“It just goes to show that the right horses can win up here. It’s quite weak at this level. She ran them off their feet. I thought the youngster rode a nice race,” he said, tossing young Dylan Lerena a massive compliment from one of our great riders.
As regards Carlita, the Candyman confirmed that all the signs were positive.
Alan Greeff – saddles Carlita
“Look, I am only repeating what Alan (Greeff) told me. She worked with What A Player over 1200m on the poly – I don’t know why the poly – and cantered in. So she’s fit and well. And Aldo is convinced she will get the 1400m on her coconut. She has also grown and matured. So, we have to listen to our jockey and trainer!” he quipped, adding that nobody had ever listened to him when he was in the saddle.
Andrew confirmed that Port Elizabeth would be the first base of a whistle stop three legged long weekend Cape tour for the Walkerville based family.
Last stop – Klawervlei Stud (photo: Klawervlei)
“We are visiting Hassen (Adams’) farm, Nadeson Park, on Saturday. Then we are at Klawervlei on Sunday to have a look at some of theirs in advance of the Farm Sale on 15 June. Ash and I like to inspect them with two sets of eyes. She has runners next weekend, so I may come back for the sale. I am the one with the you-know-whats when it comes to the actual bidding,” he laughed.
