Fukubana Makes Winning Debut

The Dundeel debutant Fukubana was backed if unbeatable in Wednesday’s Mekkafest 19 August Maiden Plate (1000m) at Eagle Farm and duly got the job done and credit his highflying sire with his sixteenth 2yo winner of the season.

Given time to find his feet by Ben Thompson, the Matthew Dunn-trained colt rounded the leaders up with the minimum of fuss to defeat the fast-finishing Jungle Cat (IRE) gelding Tigers Roar by two lengths with three lengths back to the Spirit Of Boom gelding Beautantes in third.

“He did a good job because he raced wide the trip,” Dunn said.

“He still has a way to go mentally and physically. He is a horse that will race over a lot further than 1000m.

“He has loads of talent and is still putting it together – he is an exciting horse.”

A $250,000 purchase for Matthew Dunn / Neil Jenkinson from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Fukubana is the second winner from as many to race for the Lonhro mare Sekiyama.

A daughter of Godolphin’s admirably tough, Group III BRC Glenlogan Park Stakes winner, Kanzan (Commands), Sekiyama is a sister to 5-time stakes-winner Ranier.

Sekiyama was a $170,000 purchase for Cannon Hayes Stud from the Godolphin consignment at the 2019 National Broodmare Sale when carrying the Street Boss (USA) filly Kissaki, which has won one and placed in three of four starts.

Arrowfield consigned a brother to Fukubana to the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he fell short of his $100,000 reserve.

Sekiyama has a weanling colt by Dundeel and was covered by The Autumn Sun last spring.

Dundeel joins Better Than Ready on 16 individual 2yo winners and trails only Spirit Of Boom (19) and I Am Invincible, who chalked up his 18th winner with the $650,000 filly Sicilian at Randwick-Kensington shortly after Fukubana opened his account. with Russian Revolution on 17 winners.