European import Portland continues his quest for an initial Australian success, yet trainer Matthew Smith believes it’s imminent.
The galloper has signalled his potential in recent outings, finishing a fast-finishing third to Wootton Verni in the Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) and delivering another strong performance behind Asterix in the JRA Plate (2000m), going down by just more than two lengths.
“I was looking at the sectionals, and he ran 33.89 (seconds) for his last 600 metres, and the winner of the sprint on that day ran 34.14. So he went quicker than the 1200 metre race for his last 600,” Smith said.
“He is going very well, he just needs to draw a gate. When he draws a gate, he’ll be winning.”
In his debut Australian preparation, Portland is set for his upcoming appearance in the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) this Saturday.
Smith anticipates the horse will handle the sharp-turning track well, and regular jockey Kerrin McEvoy has secured the ride.
“He is banging on the door to win one of these,” Smith said.
“I do think he’ll go further, but I also think he can win a decent race over 2000, so the Gosford Cup will be perfect for him.
“He’s not a big horse so he’ll get around there like a greyhound.”
Among 27 nominations for the $300,000 Gosford Cup, Portland is accompanied by rivals including Asterix and Group 1 victors Bois D’argent, Land Legend, Maison Louis and You Wahng.
Matthew Smith might field as many as six horses at Gosford, with four-time winner Lyles potentially entered for a 1000m event following a trial at Canterbury last Friday.
“He is going super. He will be ready first-up,” Smith said.
Meanwhile, leading sprinter Headwall has returned to training after a hind leg issue interrupted his spring campaign, with the trainer noting the horse is cantering and working sharply, primed for a barrier trial in June.
“Where he’ll resume, I don’t know at this stage, but it will be early July,” Smith said.
A dual Group 1 placegetter, Headwall has been sidelined since his victory in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick back in September.
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