Trainer Gary Portelli believes a kinder draw can give Queen Of Clubs the chance to turn the tables on Apocalyptic when the pair clash again in Saturday’s Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick.

The filly was doing her best work late when fourth in the Tea Rose Stakes last start, after settling at the rear from a wide barrier. This time, from gate four, Portelli expects her to settle closer and be far more competitive.

“We knew when the barrier draw came out we were no hope of winning (the Tea Rose Stakes) so we were just hoping to see her hit the line like she did,” Portelli said.

“She passed everything we were hoping to see from her.

“I think she’s got second (Artistic Venture) and third (Tupukara) covered. I’m not sure about the winner but barriers win races and if she can be in a more prominent position early and hits the line like last time she will be fighting out the finish.”

A Rosehill winner over 1400m in June, Queen Of Clubs resumed with a fast-finishing third in the Silver Shadow Stakes before her Tea Rose run. Portelli believes she’s perfectly placed to stretch to the mile.

“This horse has been crying out for it. She’s by a stallion that produces milers and 2000-metre horses so we’re pretty excited about her chances,” he said. “She’s flying. She put in a fantastic gallop (on Tuesday) morning and she is ready for the weekend.”

It will be a big Saturday for the stable, with Encap and Verona Rose running in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), while juveniles Handloom and Whip Cracker debut in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) and Breeders’ Plate (1000m) respectively.

Handloom, Portelli’s first starter for Godolphin, was runner-up in her official trial but has been dealt the outside gate in a field of 12. Whip Cracker, meanwhile, has drawn barrier four.

“Bjorn’s won the trial but my filly never got daylight until the last fifty (metres). She got stuck behind the leaders and had to bullock out,” Portelli said. “Toughness takes you a long way and I liked her run-on past the post. We don’t screw them down with the trials. We just get them fit enough to go there and learn from it.”

“I’ve won a Breeders’ Plate with Sejardan but I haven’t won a Gimcrack yet. I think I’ve run a few placings in it so hopefully this is the year.”

Punters keen to back Queen Of Clubs in the Flight Stakes can find value across Australia’s leading betting sites and most trusted online bookmakers.