Gary Portelli’s racing team for Rosehill this Saturday faces a significant hurdle with the forecast of rain, which could lead to several horses being withdrawn if the track conditions turn heavy.

The trainer is scheduled to start six horses, including the promising three-year-old filly Performance. Her participation in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1100m) is dependent on the track staying at a soft 5 or improving. Mother Goose faces a similar situation in the Midway Handicap (1300m) from a wide barrier, with her start subject to scratchings.

“Performance, Miss Hades and Flying Trapeze could quite easily come out if the rain hits that they’re forecasting. And Mother Goose (due to the gate),” Portelli stated. “So I might be left with two runners. It’s all down to the weather.”

If Performance races on a suitable surface, Portelli is confident she will perform well. After a second-place finish behind Mareth at Canterbury and a subsequent win at Randwick, the filly has shown good form in recent trials. Portelli believes she has grown and strengthened since her initial racing campaign.

“If this weather doesn’t hit, she is a nice chance first-up,” he commented. “I’ve always had a lot of time for her. She had a few growing pains, so we’ve had to wait until she has been ready to handle some solid work. But she’s a big, strong, filly. Beautiful filly.”

Godolphin mare Thames could be a dark horse in the Midway Handicap. She had valid excuses for her last two runs, including a heavy track at Rosehill and an unsuitable pace in her most recent outing. Portelli explained, “Thames’ run last start on the Kenso was enormous. She got back, wide, took off around the whole field because the tempo slackened and got pulling. Back to 1200 at Rosehill, I think she will run well, particularly if the track isn’t as heavy as when she failed there. She is a nice mare.”

Portelli is hopeful his other runners will perform well, provided the track conditions are favourable. “Miss Hades always runs well first-up. She needs it dry as well. She’s not adept on soft to heavy ground,” he noted. “So Rebellious, he’s a nice 2000-metre three-year-old by Rebel Dane resuming, and Flying Trapeze is coming back from a rig operation. He ran really well first-up in a very strong benchmark race at Canterbury, a track that doesn’t suit him. He could sprint well but again, we need a dry track for him.”

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