Group 1-winning mare Kimochi ready to explode in Group 2 Challenge Stakes

Trainer Gary Portelli is excited about the return of Group 1 winner Kimochi in Saturday’s Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick.

Kimochi is one of the leading contenders in the Challenge Stakes. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Trainer Gary Portelli has declared star mare Kimochi is “ready to win” Saturday’s Group 2 $500,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m) as he prepares for another lucrative carnival assault at Royal Randwick.

Portelli has eyes for more Group 1 success in the coming months with Kimochi after capturing a maiden major last November in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

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He believes Kimochi is ready to pick up where she left off when the four-year-old returns in the Challenge this weekend.

“We will kick her off in a 1000m race off the back of one trial and will build from there,” Portelli said.

“She is a ready to win and can win. She has a great first-up record.

“I don’t think field has come up as strong as I thought it would so I think she’s a good chance.

“She is a good horse fresh and Nash (Rawiller) was super impressed with the way she trialled so it will be nice to see her draw soft and I think she will run a hell of a race.”

There were 14 nominations for the Challenge Stakes with Kimochi rated a $6 chance in all-in betting.

Encap (Blue/red) has due to line up last Saturday at Royal Randwick. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images.

Kimochi will be targeted at races over sprint trips this campaign and the mare holds a nomination for the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on day one of The Championships on April 5.

Portelli pinpointed Kimochi’s ideal Group 1 target.

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“The All Aged Stakes looks a nice race for her,” Portelli said.

“We will look at (the Brisbane Winter Carnival) where there are a couple of nice races for her too.”

Portelli will wait until later this week to give Encap the green light to get his chance in the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

Encap was due to make his return last Saturday in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup but unfortunately had to be scratched in the lead-up to the race.

“He just had a little muscle tying up episode on Friday which is very unusual for him,” Portelli said.

“We will see how he does.

“He galloped brilliantly for Rachel King on Tuesday morning but when they have done it once (tying up), you are always on tenterhooks and hoping we don’t have a recurrence later in the week like we did last time.

“He came back from a trot and canter and was tight and I thought he’d be right by the morning but I just wasn’t happy with him so we pulled the pin.”

Originally published as Group 1-winning mare Kimochi ready to explode in Group 2 Challenge Stakes