Portelli adopts patient strategy for Queen Of Clubs

Gary Portelli acknowledges that Queen Of Clubs likely doesn't possess the required zip to take on elite fillies at sprint trips, but he expects her to excel when racing at staying distances.

The three-year-old is aimed at the Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) come April, and her debut this campaign is Saturday's Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick en route to that autumn highlight.

"We're on an Oaks campaign," Portelli said.

"Winning a stakes race is what we're hoping to do, and I don't think that's going to come until she gets to 2000 metres.

"I don't think she is sharp enough to win against these really good fillies like Apocalyptic, who is a really sharp horse. She will be hard to beat right up until the mile, but from there on, the gate opens up a bit more."

Queen Of Clubs, by the celebrated staying sire Maurice, was in contention during two Princess Series races in the spring until heart arrhythmia sidelined her when out of the placings in the Flight Stakes (1600m).

She notched her initial success and lone black-type finish on heavy tracks, with Portelli indicating wet conditions in autumn would suit her ideally.

"If we happen to get rain when we get to our grand final period, it would certainly help," he said.

"She loves it wet and the autumn is often a wet time."

In addition, Portelli brings back Verona Rose for the Triscay Stakes (1200m), preferring a longer return but thrilled by her maturation post her Inglis Bracelet (1600m) triumph at Flemington in November.

He recognises the need for her to improve by "three or four lengths" against class mares, but her home form has him optimistic.

"It's a different horse you're going to see this weekend. She's more powerful. She's got more condition on her. She knows what she is here for now, and she never runs a bad race," Portelli said.

"Whether she's up to the real Group One horses, we will find out this campaign.

"She's heading towards a Coolmore (Classic) if she can really get some form under her belt, and we'll just try to earn as much prizemoney as we can in the process."

Two wins from three first-up runs grace Verona Rose's record, but Saturday introduces her to distances shorter than 1300 metres. Check out leading online bookmakers ahead of the Light Fingers Stakes action.

The post Portelli playing the long game with Queen Of Clubs first appeared on Just Horse Racing.