Jockey Zac Lloyd is preparing for his first race day mount on the Group-winning mare Verona Rose in the Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill, a ride he secured after witnessing her impressive trial performance.
Lloyd partnered the five-year-old in a 742-metre trial where she was anticipated to be out-sprinted but instead finished strongly, beaten only a length.
This showing has boosted trainer Gary Portelli’s confidence for Verona Rose’s return on Saturday in the 1300m race, as has Lloyd’s evident eagerness to ride her.
“Zac came back and said, ‘mate, she’s a good horse. I’m sticking with her’,” Portelli said. “He knocked back a couple of nice offers, apparently.
“On the back of that trial the other day, I think she has come back better. I did not envisage she would be trialling that well against those sprinting types. She was really strong right through the line.”
Verona Rose captured the Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) in 2025 at just her third start and competed well at Group level last spring. She further raised her profile in the autumn, winning the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) and finishing close to the placegetters in the Coolmore Classic (1500m), before an excused run in the Emancipation Stakes (1500m).
“She pulled up really sore in her foot and had a big abscess burst out of it,” Portelli explained. “It took forever to heal, so we missed out on the Brisbane winter carnival out of that, and she had a decent spell.”
Portelli had considered starting her campaign in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m) on Saturday’s card but decided the slightly longer Theo Marks Stakes would offer a more suitable tempo.
With two wins and a placing from four first-up starts, Verona Rose is expected to perform boldly again.
Stablemate and the winner of the 2024 Theo Marks Stakes, Encap, also resumes in the same race and is capable of sprinting well fresh. He has since placed in an Ingham and Doncaster Mile, and while not always a winner, he reliably performs well at the track and distance.
“He’s won the race previously, two years ago, and he is probably going better physically than what he was then, so I’m looking forward to seeing him return as well,” Portelli stated. “He’s an underrated little horse. He’s not a punters’ pal, but he has certainly been fun for the owners.”
Encap, to be ridden by Rachel King, has drawn gate six in the 14-runner field, with Verona Rose set to start from barrier nine.
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