Gary Portelli warns Kimochi a threat to headline pair Orchestral and Zardozi in Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes
Gary Portelli is confident Kimochi can turn the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes into more than a two-horse contest between Orchestral and Zardozi.
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Trainer Gary Portelli is adamant Saturday’s Group 1 $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens is much more than just a match race between Kiwi sensation Orchestral and Godolphin weapon Zardozi.
Portelli will saddle up gun filly Kimochi in the three-year-old fillies feature and expects his ultra consistent daughter of Brave Smash to be a major player against her highly-rated opposition.
Orchestral, a winner of the NZ Derby last start, is the $1.60 favourite for the Vinery from VRC Oaks winner Zardozi at $4.20 while Kimochi is a $9 chance.
• Vinery Stud Stakes runner-by-runner analysis
Kimochi is coming off a last-start third behind Zougotcha in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic and will stretch out to beyond a mile for the first time this weekend.
“It’s the first time at 2000m for us so that’s the question mark but the way she has been racing I am confident she will run it out,” Portelli said.
“We have a good gate, she should get a good run from there and I think we should be very, very competitive.
“I know these other two are very good fillies but my filly is a nice filly and I think that run in the Coolmore will have her spot on for the 2000m.
“I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Rachel King will pilot Kimochi in her latest major test.
Portelli’s talented gelding Kintyre took on Zardozi last start with the gelding finished third behind Godolphin’s star filly in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m).
Kintyre will now also get tested over 2000m again this weekend when the half-brother to Golden Slipper winner Fireburn contests the Group 2 $300,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m).
• Trainer ‘doesn’t know yet’ how good Orchestral can be
“He got beat by a pretty good filly as it turned out,” Portelli said.
“His run was good and he has only just missed the favourite on the line, running third.
“This start he gets up to 2000m, and although I would have liked to see him draw a bit softer, most of these he has raced and beaten before so realistically if everything goes to plan and he does get in from the draw, he is a live chance.”
Portelli has top Victorian rider Jamie Kah booked to ride Kintyre ($4.40).
He kicks off his day with $201 outsider Flying Argento making his debut in the Group 3 $250,000 Baillieu Quality (1400m).
Originally published as Gary Portelli warns Kimochi a threat to headline pair Orchestral and Zardozi in Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes
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