Predicted rain in Sydney will shape Gary Portelli’s week with the trainer juggling his options.
Portelli is hoping to have four runners at his home track on Wednesday but if the rain arrives early that could be reduced to two, Cosmic Cameo and Lot Three Four One who was also entered for Canterbury on Saturday.
The pair will run in the final race of the day over 1100 metres.
“Lot Three Four One is an honest little mare. She has to race against the boys and I think she is better against the fillies and mares but I think she’s good enough to win,” Portelli said.
“Cosmic Cameo is resuming and has had a trial.
“She Brings is in an earlier race but if the rain comes she might not run. She’s not a wet tracker nor is Sizzling Gaze.
“So I could just have two runners against each other in the same race.”
Stablemate Straturbo is entered for the July Sprint at Canterbury on Saturday but, based on the weather forecast, Portelli is leaning to a trip north for an open sprint at Doomben, the scene of the gelding’s Listed win in the Chief De Beers Handicap in May.
“I will accept with him in both places but it looks more likely he will go to Brisbane,” Portelli said.
The trainer is looking forward to the return of Group One winner Rebel Dane who is scheduled to run in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on Friday but Portelli also has a back-up plan.
“If it rains and they transfer the trials to the Pro-Ride track then I will ask permission to take him to Canterbury for a gallop on Saturday,” he said.
“He’s looking great. He’s 505 kilos which is the biggest I’ve ever had him going into a campaign.
“He will go first-up into the Missile Stakes with Tommy Berry to ride.”
Lot Three Four One is the second favourite in Wednesday’s TAB Rewards Hcp (1100m) behind the Bjorn Baker-trained Diamond Fever with Cosmic Cameo a $17 chance.
