Trainer Gary Portelli has built a reputation for producing horses that slip under the radar before causing an upset.

This spring, his hopes rest on Queen Of Clubs and Encap, two gallopers he believes can emulate Kimochi’s breakout performance from last season and challenge more fancied rivals at Randwick on Saturday.

Queen Of Clubs is a $20 shot in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m). The daughter of Maurice will look to rebound after a cardiac arrhythmia halted her run in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on October 4, where she finished eighth.

“She has come through the run well,” Portelli said.

“She’s had a couple of big bits of work since the race.

“They have a heart arrhythmia once and it never happens again. We were devastated during the Flight Stakes to see her basically fail to run on and that’s usually her go. She usually accelerates.

“They usually do bounce back. It is usually anomaly.”

Encap, meanwhile, will chase his first win in twelve months when he lines up in the Listed Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m). The gelding was competitive when finishing four lengths behind Golden Eagle favourite Autumn Glow in the Group 1 Epsom (1600m) earlier this month.

“Encap is coming out of the Epsom and it was a good run,” Portelli added.

“He ran the second fastest last 600 of the race again from last. Hopefully things are run to suit for him.”

Encap is quoted at $15 for the Five Diamonds Prelude, with Toorak Handicap winner Transatlantic firming to $2.15 after the withdrawal of Rise At Dawn.

Those planning to have a wager on the Spring Champion Stakes or Five Diamonds Prelude can compare odds at leading betting sites such as Sportsbet, Ladbrokes and TAB.