Gary Portelli looks forward to another winning moment as Craig Williams jumps aboard Verona Rose for the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill, targeting the mare’s breakthrough Group One.
The rider gifted Portelli’s old star Kimochi her overdue top-flight victory following three placings at the highest level, sealed by the 2024 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
In addition to esteem for Williams’ track mastery, Portelli treasures the jockey’s value beyond riding.
“We’ve got a good association and I just love being able to leg him on,” Portelli said.
“You don’t have to talk about the race too much. He’s done his homework, he comes out and tells the owners what he wants, where he wants to be, and then we might talk about the Ukraine war or something like that. It breaks up the nervousness.
“Craig is fantastic. I love his business acumen. His word is his word and importantly, he’s a great rider. He is very professional.”
Williams and Verona Rose share a 2-for-2 record, conquering the spring Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington and the recent Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
A $10 prospect in Saturday’s 1500m Coolmore Classic (14 horses) at Rosehill, Portelli wants a brisk tempo to activate Verona Rose’s explosive turn of foot.
Under those circumstances, strong placing potential exists.
“We had a dream that she’d run in a Coolmore last campaign, but we wanted to see something from her that would warrant going around and not making a fool of ourselves,” Portelli said.
“After her last run, we’re now at the reality that we’re a legitimate chance of winning.”
Portelli also saddles fillies Queen Of Clubs and Long Legs in Friday’s Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m), won by Verona Rose 12 months back.
Queen Of Clubs brought up the rear in the Surround Stakes (1400m) last outing, a result Portelli blames on his own light preparation.
“She pulled up really fat. She is a gross filly, and she is taking a lot of work to get fit,” he said.
“I don’t work my horses very hard, and it showed up last start.”
With Kembla Grange at slow 7 Thursday, Queen Of Clubs gains from softer ground and a crucial gear switch.
“If she is going towards the Oaks, she needs to do a lot more this week,” Portelli said.
“Blinkers off, she should run well.”
Long Legs earned a placing in last preparation’s Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle, fuelling hopes for a lively display.
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