Zac Lloyd is scheduled to take the reins on Group-winning mare Verona Rose for her upcoming start in the Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill, a ride he earned after her eye-catching barrier trial performance.
Lloyd partnered the five-year-old mare in a 742-metre trial where, contrary to expectations of being outpaced, she finished strongly to be beaten by a length.
This effort has bolstered trainer Gary Portelli’s confidence for Verona Rose’s return on Saturday in the 1300-metre race, as has Lloyd’s expressed enthusiasm for the mount.
“Zac came back and said, ‘mate, she’s a good horse. I’m sticking with her’,” Portelli remarked. “He knocked back a couple of nice offers, apparently.
“On the back of that trial the other day, I think she has come back better. I did not envisage she would be trialling that well against those sprinting types. She was really strong right through the line.”
Verona Rose secured the 2025 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) at only her third start and proved competitive in Group company last spring. Her autumn campaign saw her win the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) and finish close to the placings in the Coolmore Classic (1500m), followed by an uncharacteristic run in the Emancipation Stakes (1500m) which had a clear cause.
“She pulled up really sore in her foot and had a big abscess burst out of it,” Portelli explained. “It took forever to heal, so we missed out on the Brisbane winter carnival out of that, and she had a decent spell.”
Portelli had considered launching her campaign in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m) on Saturday’s program but felt the slightly longer distance of the Theo Marks Stakes would provide a more suitable pace.
Verona Rose has a solid first-up record, with two wins and a placing from four previous attempts, and Portelli anticipates another strong performance.
Stablemate and the 2024 Theo Marks Stakes winner, Encap, also resumes in the same race and is known to sprint well fresh. He has since achieved placings in the Ingham and Doncaster Mile, and though not a frequent winner, he consistently runs well at Saturday’s track and distance.
“He’s won the race previously, two years ago, and he is probably going better physically than what he was then, so I’m looking forward to seeing him return as well,” Portelli said. “He’s an underrated little horse. He’s not a punters’ pal, but he has certainly been fun for the owners.”
Encap, with Rachel King riding, has drawn barrier six in the 14-horse field, while Verona Rose will start from barrier nine.
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