So, it’s worth noting his lofty opinion of promising youngster Friendly Fire, a tough winner of the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
“Friendly Fire still has a lot to learn but that was a really strong win,” Portelli said.
“He is not there physically yet but he has ability and that was a good, fighting win. He is a nice horse and has a future.”
Friendly Fire ($6), a son of 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan, showed admirable determination and a fierce will-to-win to edge out favourite Keen To Exceed ($2.90) by a half neck after the pair staged a stirring struggle over the final 200m. Uncertain Glory ($7.50) was beaten a further two-and-a-half lengths into third placing.
Jockey Alysha Collett told Portelli although Friendly Fire “has a bit of a personality” he is a two-year-old of considerable promise.
“He’s still doing a few things wrong but he has ability and that was a very good win,” Collett said. “He should get 1400m, too.”
Friendly Fire, who cost $80,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale last year, took obvious improvement from his excellent debut effort at the Wagga Wagga Cup Carnival when he ran on strongly to finish second behind Global Goal in the Inglis Challenge.
Portelli said he went to Randwick quietly confident Friendly Fire would be very competitive again.
“Friendly Fire got back at Wagga early then sprinted quickly and I thought he was going to win but his run came to an end in the last 100m,” Portelli said.
“But he has done well since that run so we expected him to run a very good race today.”
Portelli, who won the Golden Slipper with She Will Reign (2017) and Fireburn (2022), said he is likely to give Friendly Fire at least one more start before the end of the season.
“I believe when a horse is in form, you should keep them going,” Portelli said.
“We are going into winter but if there is another suitable race we will aim him at that.”
Portelli is also mindful the extra race experience will stand Friendly Fire in good stead ahead of the gelding’s three-year-old season.
“This horse still does a few things wrong in the barriers,” the master trainer said.
“The first time he went to the barriers I thought he was going to really hurt himself. He had his legs caught up and he kicked the back gates.
“But he has slowly improved and stood there pretty well in the barrier today. He was a handful as a colt but he is very quiet now and I think there is a lot of upside with this horse.”
