Trainer Gary Portelli will adopt a familiar formula with Encap as the talented galloper builds towards a spring Group 1 target.
In the autumn, Encap impressed when backing up from the Doncaster Prelude into the Doncaster Mile just four days later, running third behind Stefi Magnetica. Portelli is aiming for a similar outcome this spring with the gelding set to contest the Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday before returning a week later in the Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.
“He’s got to back-up in the Epsom, which is what he did last time,” Portelli said.
“I think I’ve done plenty at home to have him fit enough to be close to the mark. He has grown and matured and he’s more burly, so this weekend will have him spot-on. We had a lot of problems with his feet last campaign. They’ve come good, we’re not dealing with his sore feet anymore so that’s going to help him too.”
Encap had originally been set to resume in the Missile Stakes but when that race was abandoned, Portelli adjusted the program and kept the horse up to the mark with his work.
First-up he was slow away in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) when finishing sixth, though he still produced slick sectionals late.
“He just didn’t begin and he couldn’t make up any significant ground based on the fact the horses up front got home fast and it was a leaders’ track on the day,” Portelli said. “His sectionals read well, 33 and a bit for the last 600 metres. If he jumps better and positions closer, he’s good enough to win.”
A capacity field of 12 is locked in for the Shannon Stakes, with ballot exemption into the Epsom on offer to the winner.
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