Fortaleza On Target for Fruitful Spring

One of the talented young two-year-old’s of last season, Fortaleza (pictured), has returned to the stable in fine order following a well-deserved break in preparation for a 2016 Spring campaign.

The stakes placed daughter of Darci Brahma created a very good impression early on in her career when convincingly winning both her first two trials at Cambridge and Avondale respectively before making her first race day appearance in the Listed Wellesley Stakes over 1000m at Trentham.

While she did a few things wrong, Fortaleza was able to produce a very encouraging performance which saw her fly home for third and acquire some very valuable black-type at her first time to the races. Unfortunately things didn’t go quite to plan from there with a virus preventing her from lining up in the 2YO stakes event at Avondale several weeks later.

Her next start in January, a last chance effort to acquire enough prize money for the Karaka Million, saw her fail to live up to her potential and expectations and eventually resulted in an extended spell with the intention of readying her for a spring campaign.

“She’s been back in work for two months now and she has developed into a strong, athletic and robust individual – she’s a cracking type,” co-trainer Pam Gerard said.

“It’s no surprise the team have thought so highly of her. She is just all quality and we can’t wait to get her back to the races.”

Fortaleza will be aiming for the first set of Te Teko trials before looking a possible first start at Taupo in a maiden event. Depending on how she comes to hand, the Gold Trail Stakes at Hawke’s Bay looks an ideal race but there are plenty of other talented fillies around at that time of year.

“You never know how well they come up until you get the opportunity to let her head go, but as far as preparation goes, you couldn’t ask for anymore,” said Gerard.