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A throat problem has thwarted immediate plans for Group One winning sprinter Gold Trail but trainer Gary Portelli is hoping for a change of luck at Rosehill on Saturday when he saddles up five runners.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Gold Trail disappointed in the Magic Millions Handicap (1000m) at the Gold Coast last weekend when he raced on the pace and tired to finish sixth to Schiffer.
"He has to have a throat operation, there was an entrapment there," Portelli said.
"He'll be out for six weeks."
That disappointment aside, Portelli is looking forward to Saturday with his runners headed by last start winner Miss Spoken.
The filly will tackle a smart field in $70,000, The Anthony Cocco Handicap (1350m), headed by highly-regarded colt and early TAB Sportsbet favourite Hoylonny, but Portelli is confident she will acquit herself well.
"She's always shown ability. Obviously, she's got to step up to the mark again on Saturday and it's a stronger race," Portelli said.
"But she worked really well on Tuesday and she's got a good barrier (five)."
Miss Spoken had been settling back in her races but ridden more aggressively by Blake Shinn last start she packed too many guns to post a breakthrough win over 1400m at Warwick Farm.
TAB Sportsbet posted her at $11 while stablemate Rose Of Peace is also given a chance in the $70,000, Vinery Stud Handicap (1800m) at $13.
Portelli warned punters to disregard O'Crikey's last start fourth to Dystopia when assessing his chances in the Blackwoods New Catalogue 2012 Handicap (1400m).
"He went too fast in front last start. Forget he went around," Portelli said.
"He will have to get across from his wide gate on Saturday, hopefully Key West doesn't want to take us on."
Butt I'm Ready will fly the stable's flag in the 1100m Hall Chadwick Handicap and while he doesn't have a great strike rate, Portelli has been buoyed by his past two runs, including a fourth to the speedy Social Rank at Warwick Farm.
"His last two runs have been enormous," Portelli said.
"I'm confident he will run a good race and he goes well at Rosehill."
Two-year-old Beaut Lae will round out the team in the $250,000 Inglis Classic (1200m) .
Unplaced at her two starts, she is one of the outsiders at $101 with TAB Sportsbet and Portelli concedes she needs to improve.
"Her trials were okay so we're just hoping she might put in on the weekend."