Zac Lloyd will have his first race day ride on Group-winning mare Verona Rose in the Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill after being taken by her eye-catching performance in a recent barrier trial.
Lloyd partnered her in the 742m hit-out in which she was expected to be outsprinted, but the five-year-old powered to the post to be beaten a length.
The effort has boosted trainer Gary Portelli’s confidence on the eve of Verona Rose’s return in Saturday’s 1300m race, as has Lloyd’s enthusiasm to ride her.
“Zac came back and said, ‘mate, she’s a good horse. I’m sticking with her’,” Portelli said.
“He knocked back a couple of nice offers, apparently.
“On the back of that trial the other day, I think she has come back better. I did not envisage she would be trialling that well against those sprinting types.
“She was really strong right through the line.”
Verona Rose captured the 2025 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) at just her third start and was competitive in Group company last spring.
She raised the bar in the autumn, winning the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) and finishing on the heels of the placegetters in the Coolmore Classic (1500m), before emerging with a genuine excuse when down the track in the Emancipation Stakes (1500m).
“She pulled up really sore in her foot and had a big abscess burst out of it,” Portelli said.
“It took forever to heal, so we missed out on the Brisbane winter carnival out of that, and she had a decent spell.”
Portelli did entertain kicking her off in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m) on Saturday’s program but felt the slightly longer distance of the Theo Marks would offer a more suitable tempo.
Verona Rose has two wins and a placing from four first-up appearances, and he is anticipating another bold return.
Stablemate and 2024 Theo Marks Stakes winner Encap resumes in the same race and is also capable of sprinting well fresh.
He has since placed in an Ingham and Doncaster Mile, and while he doesn’t win out of turn, he invariably performs well at Saturday’s track and distance.
“He’s won the race previously, two years ago, and he is probably going better physically than what he was then, so I’m looking forward to seeing him return as well,” Portelli said.
“He’s an underrated little horse. He’s not a punters’ pal, but he has certainly been fun for the owners.”
Encap will be ridden by Rachel King and has drawn gate six in the field of 14, with Verona Rose in barrier nine.
