Gary Portelli wishes for history to repeat itself with Craig Williams steering Verona Rose in the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill while the mare chases her first Group One triumph.

Williams handed Portelli’s ex-flagbearer Kimochi the breakthrough elite success after three high-level runner-up finishes, culminating in the 2024 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes victory.

Portelli reveres the international star’s racing expertise and equally prizes his off-track presence.

“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.”

The combination boasts two wins from two for Verona Rose, including the Flemington Inglis Bracelet (1600m) last spring and Randwick’s Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) in her most recent.

Verona Rose is quoted at $10 for the 1500m Coolmore Classic at Rosehill on Saturday amid a 14-runner field, where Portelli desires an honest speed to unleash her devastating finish.

That setup could see her right in the mix, he predicts.

“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’s Friday entries comprise fillies Queen Of Clubs and Long Legs for the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m), repeating Verona Rose’s win from last year.

Queen Of Clubs lagged behind everyone in her latest Surround Stakes (1400m) effort, which Portelli attributes to poor preparation upon review.

“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.”

The slow 7 rating at Kembla Grange on Thursday should suit Queen Of Clubs, complemented by a significant change in gear.

“If she is going towards the Oaks, she needs to do a lot more this week,” Portelli said.

“Blinkers off, she should run well.”

Having placed in the Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle last time in, Long Legs promises another competitive run.

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