Good gate to help Queen Of Clubs play her cards right

Gary Portelli believes Queen Of Clubs can make her presence felt in Saturday’s Group 1 Flight Stakes, thanks to a favourable draw at Randwick.

The Maurice filly was finishing strongly when fourth to Apocalyptic in the Tea Rose Stakes after being forced to drop out from a wide gate. With barrier four this weekend, Portelli is confident she’ll be closer in the run and right in the mix.

“We knew when the barrier draw came out we were no hope of winning (the Tea Rose Stakes) so we were just hoping to see her hit the line like she did,” Portelli said. “She passed everything we were hoping to see from her.”

“I think she’s got second (Artistic Venture) and third (Tupukara) covered. I’m not sure about the winner but barriers win races and if she can be in a more prominent position early and hits the line like last time she will be fighting out the finish.”

Winner of a 1400m race at Rosehill in June, Queen Of Clubs resumed with a flashing third in the Silver Shadow Stakes before her Tea Rose run. Portelli is confident the step up to the mile is what she’s been waiting for.

“This horse has been crying out for it. She’s by a stallion that produces milers and 2000-metre horses so we’re pretty excited about her chances,” he said. “She’s flying. She put in a fantastic gallop (on Tuesday) morning and she is ready for the weekend.”

Portelli’s weekend doesn’t stop there, with Encap and Verona Rose set for the Epsom Handicap (1600m), and youngsters Handloom and Whip Cracker debuting in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) and Breeders’ Plate (1000m).

Handloom, his first Godolphin runner, has drawn the outside after finishing a luckless second in her trial, while Whip Cracker has barrier four in the colts’ division.

“Bjorn’s won the trial but my filly never got daylight until the last fifty (metres). She got stuck behind the leaders and had to bullock out,” Portelli said. “Toughness takes you a long way and I liked her run-on past the post.”

“I’ve won a Breeders’ Plate with Sejardan but I haven’t won a Gimcrack yet. I think I’ve run a few placings in it so hopefully this is the year.”

Punters backing the Flight Stakes can access the best offers and prices through Australia’s leading betting sites and most reputable online bookmakers.