An exhibition gallop on a heavy track at Canterbury has fuelled Gary Portelli’s confidence that Sejardan can confirm his 2022 Golden Slipper claims by winning the Todman Stakes.
The colt worked between races at the final night meeting of the Sydney season last week, comfortably handling the rain-affected going and putting a spring in his trainer’s step heading into Saturday’s Group 2 race.
Sejardan galloped alongside stablemate Sky Command, a noted wet track specialist, and proved more than a match for her.
“He loved it. He worked with Sky Command, who is a wet tracker, and we were worried that he wouldn’t catch her,” Portelli said.
“As he got to her, (Sky Cuddle’s jockey) Rachel (King) gave Sky Cuddle a bit of a squeeze and he had her covered.”
Sejardan is one of nine acceptors for the Todman Stakes (1200m), which will be his final lead-up to the $5 million Golden Slipper two weeks from Saturday.
His rivals include Shalatin, who Sejardan relegated to second in the Golden Gift in November, along with the Gerald Ryan-trained pair of last-start winner Psychiatrist and the improving Boyfriend .
Portelli also has last weekend’s Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Fireburn safely in the field for the world’s richest two-year-old race as he looks to have two Golden Slipper runners this year.
It is a fine feat for a smaller stable and it’s not the first time Portelli will have managed it, having saddled up Typhoon Fury and Over The Wicket in 2008, the pair finishing tenth and eleventh respectively behind Sebring.
However, Portelli says there is a distinct difference this time around.
“I have (had two runners) a couple of times, but I haven’t had two chances,” he said.
Sejaradan was a $3 Todman Stakes favourite on Thursday, ahead of Psychiatrist at $3.70 and Shalatin at $5.50.
