Trainer Gary Portelli might have a three-year-old in contention for autumn riches but he is taking a more cautious approach with one of his two-year-olds.
Portelli’s carnival stocks skyrocketed when Rebel Dane defied a slow tempo to win the Royal Sovereign Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
Rebel Dane’s last-stride win sets up the unbeaten colt for a run towards the Randwick Guineas and possibly the Rosehill Guineas.
But the Warwick Farm trainer is hedging his bets on city-winning youngster All The Talk.
All The Talk is nominated for the two-year-old race on his home track on Saturday but is an unlikely runner.
“There’s a race with a $50,000 Inglis bonus on at Canberra on Sunday or I might wait until the Silver Slipper the following week,” Portelli said.
Crucial to Portelli’s plans will be trainer Gai Waterhouse’s decision on where and when Golden Slipper favourite Overreach next runs.
“The Canberra race is worth $62,000 to the winner and your’e not taking on Gai’s horse in the Silver Slipper if she decides to go that way,” Portelli said.
Portelli will rely on two horses in the same race for more stakes success on Saturday.
Front-running Micalong and run-on mare Bella Rossie will be given their chance in the $100,000 Listed Triscay Stakes (1200m).
“One will be out in front and one will be out the back so hopefully they will meet somewhere in between when it counts,” Portelli said.
