Everest barrier pleases Portelli
SHE Will Reign’s track gallop left Gary Portelli “with goosebumps” yesterday and the popular trainer had double the reason to smile when the flying filly drew barrier two for Saturday’s $ 10 million The Everest ( 1200m).
She Will Reign is almost certain to start favourite for the inaugural The Everest and remains a $ 4.50 top pick with UBET for the landmark Royal Randwick feature.
Portelli was happy with the gate and said she was on track.
“Her work was sensational ( yesterday) and it left me with goosebumps after it,” he said.
“Corey ( Brown) came back in and you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. He was looking forward to galloping her and he come back in and said ‘ I haven’t had a horse give me that feel for a long time’.”
She Will Reign was one of several big winners at yesterday’s draw with Redzel ( four), Chautauqua ( five) and Clearly Innocent ( six) drawing ideally.
The Hayes and Dabernigtrained trio of Redkirk Warrior ( three), Vega Magic ( 10) and Tulip ( 11) had mixed results, leaving co- trainer Ben Hayes to concede Redkirk Warrior held a slight edge.
“He has a nice easy barrier and Regan ( Bayliss) will be able to be where he is comfortable and produce him in the straight,” Hayes said. “I don’t think ( the wide draw) will matter too much with Vega and all the speed is drawn inside him. We will leave it up to Craig ( Williams). He is a Group 1winning jockey and he will have to produce a very, very good ride to get some cover.”
Japanese horse Brave Smash, trained by leading Victoria trainer Darren Weir, is a $ 26 chance and will jump from gate nine with English jockey Jamie Spencer aboard.
Houtzen drew the inside barrier and looks the likely leader. Houtzen’s Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds left the door ajar to roll along in front at a strong tempo and try to pinch the race with her light weight ( 51kg).
“We won’t be showing our hand this far out but we can do that ( if we want),” he said. “It’s probably a race where tactically we’re going to have to be better than them and that’s probably the only way if we are going to be in the finish.”
Four emergencies have been named to be on standby for the race. In Her Time, Trapeze Artist, Takedown and Ball of Muscle are entered for the Sydney Stakes and, in the event of a scratching from The Everest field, slot owners will be given the chance to choose any one of the emergencies.
The emergencies were selected by a joint Racing NSW and ATC panel.