Source :- THE AGE NEWS
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.
“She pulled up very lame in the foot,” Portelli said of the Emancipation run.
“She had a foot abscess so she went back to the paddock.
“She’d 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.”
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.
“She’s trialled really well, she seems in good order and she’s very good fresh,” Portelli said.
“How 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.
“Every 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 there’s the good mares’ race in Melbourne.”
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.
“Some horses come good certain times of the year, and hopefully this prep looks like it’s going to be a good one,” he said.
“He’s trialled nicely and is very fresh. I’ve 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.
“He’s a nice horse who can come good over the mile at Randwick, so he might be a chance to get into the Epsom, but we’ll see how he goes first-up.”
Portelli also has “rejuvenated” 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.
“She didn’t really come up last prep like we were hoping, but from what I’m seeing at home, she’s going well,” he said.
“Hopefully, she has a nice run to get her started then hopefully we’ll be stepping her up into some nice races. We are hoping she might be good enough to sneak into a Golden Eagle.”
