With the success of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes continuing to shine this year, trainer Gary Portelli is keeping all options open for his high-quality mare Kimochi.
Kimochi earned an overdue Group 1 victory in the Victorian race last spring, defeating Another Wil, who has since gone on to defeat weight-for-age champion Mr Brightside in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m).
Meanwhile, Jimmystar, who finished behind Kimochi in that race, came back with an incredible win in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) last month.
On Saturday, Kimochi will make her first race day appearance since the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) in the Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick, where Portelli hopes she can continue her strong first-up form with three wins from five attempts.
“There have been two Group One winners come out of that race since, so she has got the form and she’s good fresh,” Portelli said.
“It’s Randwick, she is absolutely flying. She is bigger and stronger than ever so I’m looking forward to the weekend to see what we’ve got.”
The biggest question mark is the distance, with Kimochi yet to race over 1000 metres.
However, she did win the Toy Show Quality over 1100m at Randwick last campaign and has proven herself to be versatile.
“There is a question mark (over the trip) but it is Randwick. It’s a big, open track and she will be fresh, she will be up on the pace somewhere and she’ll give a great kick,” Portelli said.
Partnering Kimochi from barrier five will be Nash Rawiller, and her performance will heavily influence the direction of her campaign.
Effective up to a mile, Kimochi is also entered for the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) during the Sydney autumn carnival, with options in Brisbane on the horizon.
“We will talk to the crew after the weekend but it will all depend on how she lines up. This will tell us a lot more about where we’re headed,” Portelli said.
“We’re looking at the T J Smith at the moment, the All Aged Stakes, those sorts of races versus heading to Brisbane for a Doomben 10,000 or a Stradbroke, and there is also the (Robert) Sangster (Stakes) in Adelaide.”
Portelli also has the capable gelding Encap making his start in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), and while he isn’t expecting the four-year-old to top Magic Time, Ceolwulf, or Switzerland, he considers the race a good starting point.
“It’s too strong this weekend potentially, but we will see a good run from him then he’ll drop back to handicaps, possibly heading towards a Doncaster,” Portelli said.
