Trainer Matt Laurie says his sprinter Portland Sky has the right attitude to be a star racehorse.
Portland Sky makes his return as a four-year-old in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at The Valley on Saturday which is likely to lead the sprinter to two Group 1 contests at the course in coming months.
Laurie has pencilled in the Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 24 and the Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 22 for the son of Deep Field, already a co-winner of the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
Talk of Portland Sky being a contender for The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 17 are premature with the entire yet to be offered a slot.
“To be honest the Manikato Stakes Is probably a better race for him,” Laurie said.
“It’s a Group 1, he’s obviously a stallion now and he should be taking part in those sorts of races.”
Laurie said Portland Sky had undergone a nice build-up to his return run, although the weather forecast was a little alarming.
Heavy rain is forecast on Friday and Laurie believes Portland Sky is a better galloper on top of the ground.
The trainer was heartened to see Masked Crusader, a horse he described as a real star, return with a win at Caulfield last week.
Portland Sky ran second to Masked Crusader in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in March, his last official appearance.
“I thought our horse did a great job being a young horse taking on the older horses at weight-for-age and he did it at just about his first preparation,” Laurie said.
“Now he’s certainly a lot stronger and he’s strutting around a bit more aware of himself.
“He’s got a great work ethic and it’s no different this time around. Once the saddle’s on and the rider is on board, it’s all about the job at hand.
“He’s definitely got the right attitude to be a good horse.”
