Trainer Gary Portelli will again rely on a quick turnaround to get the best out of Encap as he lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick.

The gelding produced a career-best effort when finishing third in the Doncaster Mile earlier this year off just a four-day back-up. This time, Portelli hopes the seven-day turnaround will give him the same edge.

“In the Doncaster he raced four days before and he really hit the line that day,” Portelli said.

“He’s a funny horse…. He just switches off but if we can get him switched on for the weekend, maybe that quick back-up might be what he needs.”

Encap drew barrier six for the feature mile, a gate Portelli is less concerned about than the overall race tempo. The five-year-old has developed a pattern of dropping out early before charging home late, meaning a strong pace is crucial to his chances.

“He won’t go early and he comes home late,” he said. “We need some speed on and if it’s a truly run race he will be joining in at some point.

“He ran a huge race in the Doncaster and if he puts that together again, he should be very hard to beat.”

Stablemate Verona Rose will also contest the Epsom from barrier three. She drops seven kilos from her last start second in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle.

While her ultimate target is the Golden Eagle (1500m), Portelli is eager to see how the mare handles the rise into Group 1 open handicap company.

“Every time we step her up she handles the rise in class,” Portelli said. “She gets 50 (kilos) on her back. She is an improving mare and I don’t know where she lies but I’m hoping the Golden Eagle might be a race for her later on.

“This will be a nice stepping stone to get her in there.”

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