Kimochi set to contest Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick
Two of Gary Portelli s horses have been knocking on the door for a stakes win and with Encap finally breaking through at Rosehill, the trainer is hoping it’s Kimochi’s turn in the Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick.
Encap had a string of eye-catching minor placings before posting an emphatic victory in the Ming Dynasty Quality last weekend and on Saturday Kimochi gets her chance to shine following a brace of fast-finishing seconds in the Silver Shadow and Furious Stakes.
Both Princess Series races were over 1200 metres and Portelli can’t wait to see her step up to 1400 metres in the Tea Rose.
“She’s the one that has been banging on the door as well, so the fact Encap got through last week gives us more confidence that we can do it this week again,” Portelli said.
“I think she was looking for 1400 last start to tell the truth. That was the only concern I had going into the 1200 last start, that she was a horse that might not have that quick turn of foot over the journey.
“But I think this week we get the right race.”
A full field of 16 fillies will tackle the third leg of the four-race Princess Series with Kimochi drawing ideally in barrier five.
She has settled midfield or worse in her past two runs and rocketed home, but Portelli is keen to see her put in the race a touch earlier to ensure she isn’t outsprinted.
“Horses like Tiz Amazing have a quick turn of foot, where my filly is a bit of a builder and if she loses a length at a vital stage she’s got to make it up again, so we want to be right on our game when the pressure comes on,” he said.
“I want to be putting her in the race.”
Stablemate Fireburn will tackle the 7 Stakes (1600m) second-up after finishing just over two lengths from Saturday’s rival Pericles in the Tramway Stakes (1400m).
From an outside draw, Portelli will be happy to see her hitting the line late and says her performance on Saturday will determine their next move.
“We might go to Melbourne, it depends how dour she looks on the weekend. There’s the Stocks Stakes for fillies and mares’ to give her a look at the Valley,” he said.
“But nothing is set in stone for her. We’ll make a decision based on how she looks on the weekend.”
More Racing News
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...