Portelli excited for Kimochi first-up in the Challenge Stakes

Following the form shown in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes this year, trainer Gary Portelli is keeping all options open for his exceptional mare Kimochi.

Kimochi claimed an overdue Group 1 victory in the prestigious Victorian race last spring, where she defeated Another Wil, who has since beaten weight-for-age star Mr Brightside in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m).

Meanwhile, Jimmystar, who finished behind Kimochi, resumed with a stunning win in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) last month.

Kimochi will make her first race day appearance since the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) this Saturday in the Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick, where Portelli hopes to build on her strong first-up record of three wins from five starts.

“There have been two Group One winners come out of that race since, so she has got the form and she’s good fresh,” Portelli said.

“It’s Randwick, she is absolutely flying. She is bigger and stronger than ever so I’m looking forward to the weekend to see what we’ve got.”

The main concern is the distance, as Kimochi has never raced over 1000 metres before.

However, she did capture the Toy Show Quality over 1100m at Randwick last campaign and has shown her versatility in racing.

“There is a question mark (over the trip) but it is Randwick. It’s a big, open track and she will be fresh, she will be up on the pace somewhere and she’ll give a great kick,” Portelli said.

Nash Rawiller will team up with Kimochi from barrier five, and the four-year-old’s performance will determine her direction this campaign.

Effective over a mile, Kimochi has been entered for the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) during the Sydney autumn carnival, with potential options in Brisbane as well.

“We will talk to the crew after the weekend but it will all depend on how she lines up. This will tell us a lot more about where we’re headed,” Portelli said.

“We’re looking at the T J Smith at the moment, the All Aged Stakes, those sorts of races versus heading to Brisbane for a Doomben 10,000 or a Stradbroke, and there is also the (Robert) Sangster (Stakes) in Adelaide.”

Portelli also has Encap, a capable gelding, kicking off in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), and although he isn’t expected to overcome horses like Magic Time, Ceolwulf, or Switzerland, Portelli sees the race as a good starting point.

“It’s too strong this weekend potentially, but we will see a good run from him then he’ll drop back to handicaps, possibly heading towards a Doncaster,” Portelli said.