Kintyre on track for the Spring Stakes at Newcastle
He’s been racing in elite company of late and the Gary Portelli-conditioned Kintyre should appreciate the drop back to Group 3 grade in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle this Saturday.
Whilst not measuring up against the likes of Tom Kitten in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes last time out, the son of Hallowed Crown had been thereabouts in the Gloaming, Dulcify, Ming Dynasty and Up And Coming Stakes in the four runs prior.
Portelli explained his three-year-old gelding had excuses at the latest outing and believes the drop back to the mile will suit.
“He’s been racing well, got a lot of form around Tom Kitten although his last run was a shocker,” Portelli lamented.
“He had the worst luck possible sitting three deep, blinkers on the first time, pulling his head off.
“He still had a crack at the top of the straight, it looked like he was trying to get into it but the early effort told.
“I’ve freshened him up, I’ve taken the blinkers off. I don’t think he appreciated the blinkers last start.
“Back to the mile and drawn a good gate and he’ll be very competitive.”
Kintyre currently sits on the fifth line of betting at $8 with the unbeaten Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott runner Invincible Spy top of the market at $4 with online bookmakers.
Portelli is of the opinion that Saturday’s contest is a much more achievable assignment and rates his galloper as a leading hope.
“I think this is a fair drop back in grade, unless there’s something coming through that we don’t know about,” Portelli said.
“But based on exposed form he’s probably the horse to beat.”
Kintyre has shown a liking to the Newcastle circuit with a win and a second from just two starts there and did finish a close-up second in the Group 3 Up And Coming at Rosehill in August. He draws gate eight for hoop Adam Hyeronimus, who has five wins from his past 30 rides.
There is a bumper ten-race card at Newcastle this weekend, with the $1 million The Hunter being the highlight on what is shaping as a great standalone meeting.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...