Jockey Zac Lloyd is set to have his inaugural race day mount aboard the Group-winning mare Verona Rose in the upcoming Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill. Lloyd was particularly impressed with her striking performance during a recent barrier trial.
He partnered the five-year-old in the 742-metre trial, where, despite expectations of being outpaced, she surged to the finish, ultimately being beaten by a length.
This effort has significantly bolstered trainer Gary Portelli’s confidence ahead of Verona Rose’s return in Saturday’s 1300-metre event, as has the jockey’s evident enthusiasm to ride her.
“Zac came back and said, ‘mate, she’s a good horse. I’m sticking with her’,” Portelli shared. “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, a five-year-old mare, secured the 2025 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) at only her third career start and demonstrated competitiveness in Group company last spring. Her form continued to impress in the autumn, with a victory in the Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) and a close finish in the Coolmore Classic (1500m). She then had a less successful outing in the Emancipation Stakes (1500m), which Portelli attributed to a significant issue.
“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 commencing her campaign in the Sheraco Stakes (1200m) on Saturday’s program but concluded that the slightly longer distance of the Theo Marks Stakes would provide a more favourable pace.
Verona Rose boasts a record of two wins and a placing from four starts when resuming from a spell, and Portelli expects another strong showing.
Her stablemate and the winner of the 2024 Theo Marks Stakes, Encap, also resumes in the same race and is known for performing well when fresh. He has since achieved placings in the Ingham and Doncaster Mile, and while not a prolific winner, he consistently 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 commented. “He’s an underrated little horse. He’s not a punters’ pal, but he has certainly been fun for the owners.”
Encap, who will be ridden by Rachel King, has drawn barrier six in the 14-horse field, while Verona Rose will start from barrier nine.
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