A low draw gives Queen Of Clubs a fighting chance to turn the table on her Tea Rose Stakes conqueror Apocalyptic in the Flight Stakes at Randwick, according to her trainer Gary Portelli.
The three-year-old was doing her best work late when fourth to the benchmark filly over 1400m last start when she got back to last from a wide gate.
But from barrier four on Saturday, Queen Of Clubs is expected to settle handier and give herself every chance to be in the finish.
“We knew when the barrier draw came out we were no hope of winning (the Tea Rose Stakes) so we were just hoping to see her hit the line like she did,” Portelli said.
“She passed everything we were hoping to see from her.
“I think she’s got second (Artistic Venture) and third (Tupukara) covered. I’m not sure about the winner but barriers win races and if she can be in a more prominent position early and hits the line like last time she will be fighting out the finish.”
A Rosehill winner over 1400m in June, Queen Of Clubs was given a break with a view to the spring, returning with a fast finishing third in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) ahead of her effort in the Tea Rose.
Portelli said the filly’s preparation had been near-faultless and expected the daughter of Maurice to relish the extra journey.
“This horse has been crying out for it. She’s by a stallion that producers milers and 2000-metre horses so we’re pretty excited about her chances,” he said.
“She’s flying. She put in a fantastic gallop (on Tuesday) morning and she is ready for the weekend.”
In a big afternoon for the stable, Portelli will also have Encap and Verona Rose in the Epsom Handicap (1600m), while two-year-olds Handloom and Whip Cracker step out in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) and Breeders’ Plate (1000m) respectively.
The former will be Portelli’s first starter for Godolphin after finishing runner-up to the Bjorn Baker-trained Masvingo at the official juvenile trials, the trainer describing the filly as a “pocket rocket”.
“Bjorn’s won the trial but my filly never got daylight until the last fifty (metres). She got stuck behind the leaders and had to bullock out,” he said.
“Toughness takes you a long way and I liked her run-on past the post. We don’t screw them down with the trials. We just get them fit enough to go there and learn from it.
“I’ve won a Breeders’ Plate with Sejardan but I haven’t won a Gimcrack yet. I think I’ve run a few placings in it so hopefully this is the year.”
Handloom’s task has been made harder after she drew the outside in the field of 12 while Whip Cracker has drawn gate four.
