By John Schell
The Warwick Farm stable of Gary Portelli will make the trip to Goulburn on Tuesday, with four chances lining up.
Portelli will send around two chances in the second event of the day, the Country Championships @ Goulburn Maiden Handicap (1000m).
Trainer Gary Portelli.Credit: Getty
Sculptor, to be ridden by Molly Bourke, and Tiffy, with Olivia Chambers in the saddle, will start in the event and Portelli is confident both can run well.
“Sculptor is only lightly raced but he’s shown ability with a placing at his second start,” said Portelli. “He resumed at Kembla Grange and ran fifth in that race, and he’s done well since then so he should run well at Goulburn.
“Tiffy has only had the two starts and while she failed to beat a runner home before being spelled, she is a trial winner leading into this resuming run. It wouldn’t surprise if she can turn things around.”
Bourke will combine with Portelli again when Lonhanova runs in the Goulburn Australia Maiden Handicap (1500m).
Lonhanova has been placed in two of his seven starts and resumed from a lengthy spell with a down the track effort at Kembla Grange on the back of two trials.
“He’d had a bit of time off and even though he ran last at Kembla Grange he will have taken benefit from the run,” Portelli said. “The extra distance will suit at Goulburn, so I’d expect him to show some improvement.”
Stormfield will be Portelli’s runner in the final event of the day at Goulburn, the Weddings @ GDRC Class 1 Handicap (1200m) with Chad Lever taking the ride.
A three-year-old gelding by Written By, Stormfield has only had four starts and after a debut sixth at Kembla Grange in June last year, he resumed from a spell with a victory at Orange in November. He’s had a further two runs since then, for a fourth at Kembla Grange and a last start sixth at Wyong behind Still Alice.
“It was a good win at Orange first-up from a spell,” said Portelli. “And he hasn’t been beaten far in both runs since then. He is in a race that suits.”
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Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
Slipper fancy set for Warwick Farm hit-out – weather permitting
Craig Kerry
Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton was set to headline trials at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, pending track conditions, ahead of a return in the group 2 Silver Slipper (1100m) at Rosehill on February 22.
Wodeton, which burst onto the scene with a four-length demolition of his rivals at Rosehill on January 18, was among nominations for this Saturday’s Pierro Plate on Monday.
However, trainer Chris Waller said the $1.6 million yearling buy for Coolmore would trial, unless the track was unsuitable because of wet weather, and be saved for the Silver Slipper. He was down to gallop in the 11th trial on Tuesday.
The Wootton Bassett colt has continued to firm in betting for the March 22 $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill and was a $3.50 Sportsbet favourite.
Randwick punters flock to Waller duo
Craig Kerry
The Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina and Joliestar were at the top of markets for their respective first-up assignments on Saturday at Randwick after 11 nominations were received for the group 2 Apollo and Expressway Stakes.
Via Sistina was a $2.80 TAB favourite for the Apollo ahead of Joe Pride-trained Ceolwulf ($3.50) and Waller’s Fangirl ($4). Joliestar was a $6 chance in that race but Waller has said she will start off in the Expressway, where she was the $2.80 top elect. Grahame Begg-prepared Magic Time was next best at $3.50, ahead of Waller’s Olentia ($4).
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot was the $3.50 favourite for the other group 2 on the card, the Light Fingers Stakes. Waller’s Lady Shenandoah was $4 and Michael Freedman-trained Manaal was $5.
Bjorn Baker-trained Bonita Queen was the $3.50 favourite for the group 3 Triscay Stakes.
