Encap produced a career-best performance off a quick back-up into the Doncaster Mile and trainer Gary Portelli has had no hesitation using a similar formula for his Epsom Handicap tilt.
The gelding finished an eye-catching third to Stefi Magnetica in the feature Randwick mile off a four-day turnaround and Portelli is hoping Encap can perform even better off a seven-day back-up this weekend.
“In the Doncaster he raced four days before and he really hit the line that day,” Portelli said.
“He’s a funny horse…. He just switches off but if we can get him switched on for the weekend, maybe that quick back-up might be what he needs.”
Encap came up with barrier six at Tuesday’s draw, although Portelli is less concerned with his gate as he is with race tempo.
The five-year-old has been struggling to muster speed from the jump, putting himself in a chasing position that is reliant on what happens in the front half of the field.
“He won’t go early and he comes home late,” he said.
“We need some speed on and if it’s a truly run race he will be joining in at some point.
“He ran a huge race in the Doncaster and if he puts that together again, he should be very hard to beat.”
Stablemate Verona Rose will also take her place from barrier three and drops seven kilos on her last start second in the Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle.
While her main spring mission is the Golden Eagle (1500m), Portelli is keen to see how she handles stepping out of black-type fillies and mares’ grade into an open company Group 1 handicap.
“Every time we step her up she handles the rise in class,” Portelli said.
“She gets 50 (kilos) on her back. She is an improving mare and I don’t know where she lies but I’m hoping the Golden Eagle might be a race for her later on.
“This will be a nice stepping stone to get her in there.”
