Craig Kerry
Gary Portelli believes his Theo Marks Stakes pair can push their claims for a run at the group 1 Epsom Handicap after overcoming feet problems.
The Warwick Farm trainer has five-year-old mare Verona Rose and six-year-old gelding Encap first-up in the 1300m group 2 race at Rosehill on Saturday.
Verona Rose finished last at her most recent outing, in the group 2 Emancipation Stakes on March 28. It was a disappointing end to a strong campaign taking in victory in the group 2 Guy Walter Stakes, third in the Triscay Stakes and fifth, less than a length and a half away, in the group 1 Coolmore Classic.
โShe pulled up very lame in the foot,โ Portelli said of the Emancipation run.
โShe had a foot abscess so she went back to the paddock.
โSheโd had a great preparation, it was just sad that we got to the grand final and we drew a horrible barrier, she got trapped wide and she never stretched out. She was gone before the home turn.โ
Portelli hopes to get Verona Rose back to her best and chase better black-type results. The $8 (TAB) chance has Zac Lloyd aboard and gate nine on Saturday.
โSheโs trialled really well, she seems in good order and sheโs very good fresh,โ Portelli said.
โHow she goes this weekend will determine whether we go uphill or across and stay at a level that sees her competitive every time she goes around.
โEvery owner and trainer wants to get a group 1 placing, so if she comes back and races really well on the weekend, that would be something we would aim at … maybe get into the Epsom light, or thereโs the good maresโ race in Melbourne.โ
Encap has had two wins in his 31-start career, and both have come on the same annual program, taking out the Ming Dynasty Quality in 2023 and Theo Marks in 2024. He has placed in the Doncaster and Ingham during the drought since, and Portelli hoped he could rediscover his best on Saturday. He was $11 with Rachel King to ride from six.
โSome horses come good certain times of the year, and hopefully this prep looks like itโs going to be a good one,โ he said.
โHeโs trialled nicely and is very fresh. Iโve had a lot of trouble with his feet over the years, but it looks like we might be going in the right direction with him.
โHeโs a nice horse who can come good over the mile at Randwick, so he might be a chance to get into the Epsom, but weโll see how he goes first-up.โ
Portelli also has โrejuvenatedโ four-year-old Queen Of Clubs kicking off at Rosehill, where she was $23 in the Midway Handicap. A winner at two, Queen Of Clubs placed in the Silver Shadow Stakes in the spring but struggled in the autumn.
โShe didnโt really come up last prep like we were hoping, but from what Iโm seeing at home, sheโs going well,โ he said.
โHopefully, she has a nice run to get her started then hopefully weโll be stepping her up into some nice races. We are hoping she might be good enough to sneak into a Golden Eagle.โ
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