WINNER: Home Track Treble - Swiss Queen Rules

Continuing the success for Fortuna Racing, Geneva Queen (4 m Swiss Ace – Sigiriya, by El Roca) recorded a strong fresh-up victory in the $18,500 Clothier Farms Maiden 1050 metres on 16 September at Matamata.

Having debuted with a big finish for second, running fastest last 600m (34.2) on day, in the Maiden 3YO 1050 metres on 11 March at Matamata, Geneva Queen had quickened home nicely for close third when trialling on 25 August at Waipa, and shaped to race well first-up. 

Ridden by award winning Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman (a1), Geneva Queen received cover three-wide on a competitive pace, was fifth turning for home, changed gears and pinned her ears back inside the 200m to stride past her rivals and won plenty of authority.

“I love riding in these colours and to get another win for them is great,” said Hassman, who recorded her 25th win for the stable. “She put them away really nicely and should go on with it.

“We were able to find quite a nice rhythm, tracked a nice one into it, so it all worked out perfectly in the end.”

On Soft7 footing, Geneva Queen ran 1050 metres in 1:02.9, last 600m in 35.3 (approx.), and drifted in betting to pay $7.90 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB tote.

“Her trial was good, leading in, and it was a good way to start her campaign,” said Sam Bergerson, training partner with Mark Walker.

Walker added: “It was really good to see her salute fresh-up, today. She was wide, but had cover and Hayley (Hassman) is riding in great form.

“She hasn’t been riding that long (three years), but she is riding with a lot of maturity, and Geneva Queen will only continue to get better with the confidence of that win under her belt. 

“Congratulations to John (Galvin) and his owners. The Fortuna colours are having a great run at the moment in Australia and New Zealand, and let’s hope it continues.”

The trainers also saddled third placed, Zaharias (Super Seth), who contested a competitive pace on the outside of heavily backed Mango Lane (Capitalist). 

Owned by the Fortuna Geneva Queen Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin), she was purchased by Sir David Ellis and Fortuna Racing for $70,000 at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Westbury Stud.

By resident, long-serving, and versatile Westbury Stud sire Swiss Ace (Secret Savings), Geneva Queen is out of a mare by another of their durable Group One producing sires, El Roca (Fastnet Rock). 

The win continued a good roll for Fortuna in the past few days, after their Champion Two-Year-Old stable-mate Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) won the A$175,000 Listed Michael Moroney (1400m) on Saturday at Flemington, from the Te Akau stables at Cranbourne (Melbourne).

Along with Fortuna Racing owned Tolaga Bay (Alabama Express), who made it two from two when resuming with victory on 2 September at Sandown, Lara Antipova is aiming towards the A$1.5 million Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) on 17 October at Caulfield.

“A big thank you to Clothier Farms, who are sponsoring many of races today,” said Galvin, in the Waikato Stud Winners' Circle.

“It’s always fantastic to win at Matamata, which is my home track, and we’ve had a lot of wins here with Fortuna Racing horses.

“She (Geneva Queen) was just nutted on the line in a similar race to this when debuting in the Autumn, before striking a couple of unsuitable heavy tracks, and she’s come back in wonderful order following a break.

“We have members in the ownership group here today that are also in Lara Antipova and Bellatrix Star, so well done to you. It’s been an amazing week, with the win by Lara Antipova on Saturday at Flemington, and selling Bellatrix Star during the week for A$900,000.

“I’d also like to the Matamata Racing Club, who provide amazing training facilities and racecourse, and special thanks to the training team: Mark, Sam, and Reece (Trumper), as assistant trainer, and Hayley for the ride.” 

Geneva Queen was strapped by Sarah West.

Photo credit - Kenton Wright - www.raceimages.co.nz