Sydney trainer Gary Portelli is content with the decision to send Kimochi to Melbourne for a tilt at a Group 1 sprint.
The Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night will be the mare’s second trip to Melbourne as she bids to land a first win at Group 1 level.
Kimochi has 12 rivals to contend with on Friday night, including I Wish I Win, Veight, Chain Of Lightning, Estriella, Climbing Star and brilliant three-year-olds Coleman, Growing Empire and Hayasugi.
The barrier draw will take place at Moonee Valley at 5pm on Tuesday night.
Kimochi has raced in Melbourne twice previously, finishing third over 1400m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year before running second to Joliestar in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield at her next start.
Portelli believes Kimochi races best left-handed but resisted the opportunity to give the mare a look at The Valley in a gallop on Monday, preferring to keep her home in her own environment.
“She’s been to Caulfield before, and we’ve worked her on our inner track at Warwick Farm before and she excels on that left leg,” Portelli said.
“Whilst it’s not ideal to have never been around The Valley, I think she’s pretty natural and I think she goes better on that left leg.
“I don’t think it will be a problem having not been there before and I don’t think she needs the stress of having to go down there too early.
“We can get down there on Thursday morning, give her a trot and a canter on Friday morning and then race Friday night.”
Kimochi has won three of her 14 starts with a further nine placings and returned from a winter break with a victory in Group 3 company at Randwick last month.
Portelli said in a perfect world he would like gate three or four for Kimochi on Friday night.
“That would allow us to take a nice position over 1200 metres while she’s still fresh,” Portelli said.
“She’s very good early in her campaign, especially when I space her runs a bit and without getting too confident, I think it’s a good race for her.”
