Gary Portelli to contemplate Group 1 Manikato Stakes assault with The Everest hopeful Kimochi

Kimochi was a notable absentee from nominations for the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes but Gary Portelli has a potential Group 1 target in mind instead.

Kimochi (green and white silks) put herself in The Everest conversation after winning the Toy Show Quality last month. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Trainer Gary Portelli is toying with the idea of running brilliant mare Kimochi in the Group 1 $2m Manikato Stakes at The Valley in a bid to propel her into the $20m The Everest.

Kimochi was a notable omission among the nominations for this Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens where fellow Everest hopefuls Joliestar and Sunshine In Paris will step out.

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Portelli’s daughter of Brave Smash thrust herself into Everest contention with a terrific first-up victory in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Royal Randwick last month.

KIMOCHI wins the Toy Show Quality!

Jason Collett guides the @GaryPortelli trained mare to a tough first-up win in the Group 3 over Commemorative with Mumbai Muse a close third. @[e-mail]/hDeZXkGrNv

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 24, 2024

It was the first time she stepped out in the colours of racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong after being purchased for $2.2m in May.

Yulong have their own The Everest slot which is yet to be filled and Portelli is eager for Kimochi to highlight she’s worthy of a crack in the richest race on turf.

“At this stage we are still in discussions with Yulong but we are thinking of keeping her fresh and running in the Manikato now,” Portelli said.

“If we don’t win or not a chance on getting her in the Everest, we still have the Silver Eagle and then the Golden Eagle after that.

“A few people (with slots) have said we are going to keep a very close eye on her and see what she does next start and for me, she goes so good fresh and I didn’t want to take on the good mares this weekend in the usual cycle.

“To showcase her, I have to her absolutely cherry ripe and in a Group 1 but we will make a decision with the boys at Yulong in the next couple of days.”

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There are two The Everest “auditions” left to come in Sydney with Group 2 The Shorts (September 21) and Group 2 Premiere Stakes (October 5) set to be stepping stones for several of the race’s contenders.

Kimochi is one of the contenders for Yulong’s Everest slot. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The Manikato is wedged between those two features on Friday, September 27.

The Everest favourite I Wish I Win, one of two horses currently locked in for the feature sprint, will contest the Manikato Stakes in a bid to put the finishing touches on his preparation for Sydney’s biggest race.

Meanwhile, Portelli will chase still chase a stakes double on Saturday with Group 3 winner Encap heading to the Group 2 $300,000 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) second up while untapped colt Iron Hawk is in the Group 3 $250,000 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m).

Encap won last year’s Ming Dynasty Quality for Portelli and the gelding is rated an $11 chance to win on the same day in the Theo Marks.

Iron Hawk is a $6 chance with Jason Collett poised to ride both gallopers.

Originally published as Gary Portelli to contemplate Group 1 Manikato Stakes assault with The Everest hopeful Kimochi