Portelli looking for Festival Stakes bounce-back from Kintyre

A recent barrier trial hitout has confirmed Gary Portelli’s suspicions that Kintyre is better ridden quietly, and he plans to revert to that pattern for the horse’s next assignment.

While the gelding collected the Frank Packer Plate (2000m) and Queensland Guineas (1600m) as a three-year-old when racing on the speed, earlier in his career he came from off the pace.

With the four-year-old mixing his form this preparation, Portelli opted to take him back to the trials and allow him to find his feet and finish off.

Kintyre did just that in a recent 1200m hitout at Warwick Farm, convincing connections to take a similar approach to his next start in the Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

“We have been riding him upside down,” Portelli said.

“I had him ridden quietly in the trial the other day and he absolutely charged through the line, so we will ride him quietly in the Festival.

“He is tough enough and he races well wherever he goes. Given an even opportunity, he will be a good chance.

“He’s been going well at home and his trial was really good.”

A half-brother to Portelli’s 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn, Kintyre hasn’t been far away in several strong races this spring, resuming with a solid fifth to Royal Patronage in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) and finishing fourth in the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).

He performed below par when down the track last start in the Golden Eagle (1500m) but has been given the trial and almost a month between runs to help him bounce back.

If he can rebound, Portelli plans to aim him towards next month’s Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick for which the Festival Stakes is a traditional lead-up.

Stablemate Encap may also head toward The Ingham following his fifth placing in The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday.