Latest News

By Ray Hickson

It’s not a bad Plan B when you can race against your own age for $1.5 million in the space of two starts so Gary Portelli is content with the decision to target Saturday’s $500,000 Tapp-Craig (1400m) at Rosehill with spring revelation Encap.

Trainer Gary Portelli (Pic: Steve Hart)

Portelli had entertained TAB Everest offers following Encap’s narrow defeat in the Group 1 Golden Rose and considered taking on the Group 1 $5m King Charles III Stakes over the mile.

The fact he’d be considered in a fringe chance in both of those races but a big fish in the Tapp-Craig, and the Group 2 $1m Callander-Presnell (1600m), in two weeks appealed.

“I think it’s a very good plan,’’ Portelli said.

“We’re going in favourite on Saturday and if he wins I’d say he will be favourite for his next assignment so he’s pretty well placed.

“What I like about him is every time I’ve raised the bar he clears it. He’s a proper racehorse, I love him. He’s a gelding, he’s got so much longevity in him.

“The prizemoney is through the roof in Sydney these days and you can keep racing in Sydney every carnival and win a million dollars every carnival if I can keep him going.”

Encap, $2 with TAB on Friday, has come through his close call in the Golden Rose in good order and while he was a late entry for the Tapp-Craig his program wasn’t altered.

“He had his usual easy week after his run and some three quarter pace on Saturday morning,’’ Portelli said.

“On Monday night we decided Tuesday morning would be a normal gallop that I would put into him leading into a race day.”

Brett Prebble is back on board Encap having partnered him to his maiden win in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty, Dylan Gibbons rode him in the Golden Rose, and Portelli said he is well weighted on 57kg so will get his chance from barrier six.

He doesn’t envisage changing too much as far as the gelding’s racing pattern is concerned.

“Brett knows him now and he’ll ride him where he sees the race unfold,’’ Portelli said.

“The good part about him is he’s got gate speed and if they are going quick you can just shut him down and switch him off. He’s a pretty easy horse to ride.

“It’s a matter of keeping out of trouble and if he can reproduce his Golden Rose run I don’t think anything can beat him.”

A race like the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) would be a likely autumn target for Encap.

Portelli is very keen for 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn to be ridden closer to the pace in the Group 2 $2 million Petaluma Hill Stakes (1900m).

In two runs this spring she’s settled well off the speed, last start in the 7 Stakes due to a wide gate, but Portelli said the way the race is shaping she’s not going to be able to concede a big start and win.

Encap runs second in the Golden Rose

Fireburn was beaten four lengths by Think It Over in that race over 1600m.

“It’s a bit tricky. I’m hoping (Jason Collett) gives her a little kick out of the gates and take up a nice position on that first corner, get a nice bit of cover and switch her off down the back straight,’’ he said.

“I don’t want her back last. I can’t see them going too quick in this race so we’ve got to get up there.

“She’s going along really nicely and if she can be given every chance we will see her finish off strongly.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting