Yulong import adds intrigue to the Emancipation Stakes

Michael Kent Jnr acknowledges that he doesn’t quite know what to expect from the former Irish mare Sakti when she makes her Australian debut in the Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill, but he is confident that she will have a successful career in Australia.

The lightly raced four-year-old, a Listed winner and multiple stakes placegetter overseas, is part of owner Yulong’s latest group of imports looking to make their mark in Sydney’s carnival.

Although the stable is still getting to know her, Kent Jnr says Sakti has been showing positive signs in training and is expected to handle the anticipated rain-affected conditions well.

“We’re very happy with her at home, but we’ve only just acquired her, so we’re going to learn a lot more on Saturday,” Kent Jnr said.

“At her best, she would be competitive in this race.

“She does well on soft ground.

“She’s had nine starts, with two wins and five seconds. Four of her second-place finishes were on soft ground, so she handles it beautifully.”

While the forecast rain doesn’t concern Sakti, it does worry Gary Portelli, trainer of Encap.

Encap had a disappointing performance on heavy ground in last year’s All Aged Stakes, and Portelli is hoping the rain will be on the lighter side of the forecast.

Portelli had considered running Encap in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on Golden Slipper day, but decided to save him for the Doncaster Prelude (1500m) this weekend, though now he wonders if that was the right decision.

“We kept him for this week, but now I wish I’d run him last week because it looks like we’re going to get a wet track, and that’s a real concern,” Portelli said.

“If the track becomes too heavy, we’ll likely pull him out.”

Portelli is still hopeful of getting Encap into the Doncaster Mile (1600m) on Saturday week, and if he can handle the conditions this weekend, Portelli believes he’ll be competitive.

“Nash Rawiller galloped him on Tuesday and was impressed with his recovery,” Portelli said.

“He’s drawn a good barrier, and everything seems in place for him to run well.”

The winner of Saturday’s race will be exempt from a ballot and penalty for the Doncaster Mile.