The application of a tongue tie produced the desired result when Kintyre returned to the winner’s list last start, but the proof will be in the pudding when he bids to back it up at Randwick.
The gelding underwent a tie-back procedure after a brace of lacklustre runs in the autumn and trainer Gary Portelli was initially in two-minds about how effective it had been.
“We experimented with a tongue tie last start because he wasn’t finishing his races off. Hopefully that’s the key,” Portelli said.
“It (his throat) was starting to slip back a bit, and the tongue tie keeps his throat a little bit more open.”
Kintyre’s last start success was his first since taking out the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) in May last year.
He did contest some strong races in between, finishing fourth in the 2024 Tramway Stakes (1400m) and midfield in that year’s Epsom Handicap (1600m) won by Ceolwulf.
Portelli is hoping the five-year-old, a half-brother to 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn, has taken confidence from that and can make his presence felt in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
“We will find out on the weekend,” Portelli said.
“We say a win is a great tonic, but he does need a bit of sting out of the ground so we’re hoping to see these storms that are forecast for Saturday hit and bring him into the race.”
Stablemate Jaegers is a dual acceptor for Canterbury on Friday night as well as Randwick and Portelli is leaning towards running the Godolphin filly under lights.
She responded to the addition of blinkers to post a dominant win last start and Portelli believes she has a bright future.
“I will talk to the Godolphin team, but I’ll give her a short let-up and potentially look towards the autumn with her being a three-year-old filly. Maybe even Brisbane,” he said.
“We will try to get her some black type.”
Miss Hades will also head to Canterbury, leaving Missile Seeker to fly the flag for the Portelli stable in Saturday’s Midway Handicap (1600m).
The latter was sent back for barrier practice after bombing the start first-up but atoned to score at Rosehill in a tough performance.
“When the pressure came on, he got going a bit early on him and he was left a sitting duck at Rosehill but fought back to win,” Portelli said.
“He’s in good form and if he reproduced that he’d be a good chance.”
