An explosive gallop by New Day Rising early in the week reinforced trainer Gary Portelli’s belief he had him primed to win at Rosehill on Saturday.
Formerly prepared by Gai Waterhouse for Eduardo Cojuangco, New Day Rising was bought privately by clients of Portelli and the De Bortoli Wines Welter (1400m) was his fourth start for his new trainer.
He will back up in next Saturday’s Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm, the only Group Two race of the Sydney summer calendar.
Ridden by boom apprentice Chad Schofield, New Day Rising ($5) raced midfield before making his move in the straight and going on to beat Tromso ($9.50) by a length.
Kontiki Park ($9) was a nose away third with $2 favourite Scarf fourth.
Portelli said he galloped New Day Rising with stable speedster O’Crikey which showed just where he was at with the horse.
“I don’t usually work horses with O’Crikey but I put them together,” Portelli said.
“O’Crikey beat him last week and then on Tuesday New Day Rising gave him a touch-up.
“No-one beats O’Crikey so I knew if we got a firmer track today he would be right in it and I told the owners to back him and they smashed it.”
As much as $8 was bet about New Day Rising on Saturday before he was crunched to his $5 starting price.
AAP TURF
