Encap produced a career-best performance on a quick turnaround into the Doncaster Mile and trainer Gary Portelli is using a similar recipe as he bids for an even better result in that race’s spring equivalent.
Fourth in the Doncaster Prelude on April 1, Encap went on to run a slashing third behind Stefi Magnetica in the Group 1 showpiece just four days later.
This time around he will have seven days between Saturday’s Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill and next weekend’s Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick and Portelli is hoping for a similar result.
“He’s got to back-up in the Epsom, which is what he did last time,” Portelli said.
“I think I’ve done plenty at home to have him fit enough to be close to the mark.
“He has grown and matured and he’s more burly, so this weekend will have him spot-on.
“We had a lot of problems with his feet last campaign. They’ve come good, we’re not dealing with his sore feet anymore so that’s going to help him too.”
While content with Encap’s preparation, Portelli admits it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.
The horse was slated to resume in the Missile Stakes in early August before it was washed out and he’s had to “play the catch-up game” and keep him up to the mark through his trackwork.
However, more significant to the trainer will be how Encap comes out of the starting stalls on Saturday.
The five-year-old was sluggish to jump first-up in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) when sixth to Autumn Glow and while his sectional times were still pleasing, Portelli wanted to see a better getaway this week.
“He just didn’t begin and he couldn’t make up any significant ground based on the fact the horses up front got home fast and it was a leaders’ track on the day,” Portelli said.
“His sectionals read well, 33 and a bit (seconds) for the last 600 metres.
“I don’t think he could have finished any closer on the times he ran but he can finish closer on the weekend if he jumps a bit better.
“If he jumps and he can be in a position where he used to be as a young horse, in the first four or five, then he’s good enough to win the race.”
A field of 12 will line up in the Shannon Stakes with the winner exempt from a ballot and penalty for the Epsom Handicap on Saturday week.
