Rodd Back on Portelli’s Trail

July 25, 2011

Rodd Back on Portelli’s Trail

The combination that landed trainer Gary Portelli the Group One Railway Stakes in New Zealand last year will be reunited in this Saturday’s Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.

Michael Rodd will team up with Gold Trail in Saturday’s feature event for the first time since he partnered the horse in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.

Since returning from England, Gold Trail has had just two runs, a fourth in the Chief De Beers Handicap at Doomben during the winter carnival and a disappointing fifth in the Monash Stakes at Caulfield.

Portelli was critical of Craig Newitt’s ride on his horse in the Monash, and has made the decision to go back to Michael Rodd.

“I don’t like making excuses but he should have been faster in the lead,” Portelli said.

“He (Newitt) probably just cuddled him a bit too much and everything had a chance to beat him from behind. Michael Rodd gets back on it in the Bletchingly at Caulfield. He knows the horse and what it is capable of.”

Portelli also confirmed that Gold Trail had pulled up well from his last start and should be in peak fitness by the time the Bletchingly rolls around.

Gold Trail, who was fourth in the Krisflyer International Sprint in Hong Kong last year has received another invitation to this year’s race, however Portelli believes that is not a viable option at this stage.

“He has been invited to Singapore, but I don’t think he’ll have any form on the board leading up to it unfortunately,” Portelli said.

“They would have to invite him based on his run there last year.”

The Warwick Farm trainer has also welcomes back Somepin Anypin to his stables ahead of the spring carnival.

The son of Pins won three of his five starts before being spelled after he finished well down the track in the Hobartville Stakes in February.

“He’s been in pre-training at his owners place for about six weeks. He will be back for the end of the Sydney spring and then hopefully into the Melbourne carnival,” Portelli said.

“He is a restricted grade horse and ne needs to earn his stripes to get his rating up so he can get into some of the good races.”

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes ...

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen...

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Historical Demolition Job

Racegoers at Royal Randwick witnessed what will go down in the history books...

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle ...

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle Of Fire Salutes for Punters

Another staying race goes to star horseman Ciaron Maher whose race favourite,...

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: ...

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: Autumn Angel Beats Zardozi on the Back-Up

Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman continued their ace The Championships’...

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Res...

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Results: Joliestar Returns a Winner for Waller

Joliestar was terrific in her first-up run since taking out last year’s...

Race Results

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Results: Waller Runs Quinella with Zougotcha and Atishu

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Historical Demolition Job

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle Of Fire Salutes for Punters

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: Autumn Angel Beats Zardozi on the Back-Up

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Results: Joliestar Returns a Winner for Waller

Race Previews

Australasian Oaks 2024 Field & Odds Update: Wings Of Song Favourite

Estriella Heads 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Field & Betting Markets

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets

Fields & Form

Australasian Oaks 2024 Field & Odds Update: Wings Of Song Favourite

Estriella Heads 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Field & Betting Markets

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets