Kimochi set for back-to-back Queensland Group 1 challenges in Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap

Gary Portelli believes two Group 1s in successive week will not unsettle Kimochi in her quest for the Stradbroke Handicap.

Gary Portelli is striving for his first Queensland Group 1 and is set to give strong mare Kimochi two chances in quick succession to pull off the heist.

The Stradbroke Handicap has been the main goal for the Yulong-owned Group 1 winner right from the start of her preparation which included a trio of runs in the Sydney autumn carnival.

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Best laid plans have been tweaked with the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup rescheduled to Saturday after being one of the races washed out last Saturday when jockeys complained of poor visibility.

But Warwick Farm trainer Portelli said Kimochi will still race in the Kingsford Smith on Saturday as a pipe-opener to the Stradbroke seven days later.

He admits the seven-day back-up is a step into the unknown for Kimochi, but feels it could even suit her.

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“She will run on Saturday, it’s a Group 1 race, and I couldn’t go to the 1400(m) of the Stradbroke with her straight away given she has had a big gap between runs,” Portelli said.

“A high pressure handicap like the Stradbroke, they have got to be fit.

“We have never had to back-up before, the program has never had us having to back-up.

“But she is a very tough mare, whenever she races she is normally primed the week afterwards.

Gary Portelli is confident Kimochi will handle the back-up into the Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“You actually think to yourself that she looks better the week after, than what she did leading into the race.

“She does cope with pressure, she’s a big strong mare and she has been in work for ages.

“It’s not like she’s coming out of a spell and she’s going to be too fresh or underdone.

“She has got a good fitness core.”

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Craig Williams rode Kimochi to Group 1 glory in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield last spring and the pair will reunite at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Kimochi is rated an $11 chance in the Kingsford Smith and is the same price for her main mission of the Stradbroke seven days later.

Nine-time Group 1 winner Portelli has had some terrific horses campaign in Queensland, including Rebel Dane who finished seventh in the 2014 Stradbroke which was won by Queensland bolter River Lad.

But he hopes Kimochi can give him his first Sunshine State Group 1.

“The plan is she will take her place in the Stradbroke, unless we race below expectations this Saturday,” Portelli said.

Gary Portelli with Craig Williams and Yulong’s Sam Fairgray after Kimochi won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“From the time she came into work this preparation, the Stradbroke was in my mind the goal.

“We have drawn a fantastic barrier (three) in the Kingsford Smith, so she is going to get a soft run.

“That’s important because going into the Stradbroke, she is not going to have a gut-buster and be trapped wide or doing work.

“She will get a nice run and accelerate in the straight, if she runs top three then I would be over the moon from a Straddy point of view.”

• Maher filly making right noises for Oaks upset repeat

Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes has indicated Rise At Dawn – the winner of eight from 15 starts – will take his place in the Kingsford Smith before being unleashed on the back-up in the Stradbroke.

The Lindsay Park dynasty may have its best chance to crack its Stradbroke duck, with raging favourite War Machine ($3) set to be joined by Rise At Dawn ($11) in Queensland’s most prestigious race.

Originally published as Kimochi set for back-to-back Queensland Group 1 challenges in Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap