Latest News from Portelli Racing
Final Manikato for gallant Rebel Dane
Oct 20, 2016When Rebel Dane walks out of Gary Portelli’s driveway for the final time, he knows he could be waving goodbye to a once-in-a-lifetime ride.While that moment is not expected to come until next year, the trainer and his Group One journeyman will bid a sad farewell to the Moonee ...
Well-bred mare resumes with easy victory
Oct 16, 2016After two barrier trials, highlighted by a length and half win at Warwick Farm on September 23, well-bred Bel Esprit mare Bel Selene began her current campaign by heading to Newcastle on Saturday, October 15 for the final event of the eight-card meeting – the Marin Brower ...
You Smart Fox and Cosmic Rush head to Nowra
Oct 04, 2016Trainer Gary Portelli concedes the field-shy You Smart Fox needs a confidence boost and Cosmic Rush is better on a softer track but both can still provide the stable with a winning double at Nowra.You Smart Fox is resuming in the Carlton United Maiden (1200m) and Cosmic Rush ...
Bella Brakes Maiden With All The Way Win
Sep 23, 2016Three-year-old Exceed And Excel filly Bella Vino, a graduate of Perth’s Magic Millions had been in good form this time in but had just been unable to shed her maiden status - until now.Heading to Hawkesbury on Thursday, September 22, Bella Vino contested the third race of the ...
Portelli hopes Dane not anchored by weight
Sep 09, 2016Rebel Dane is in good form and is as fit as he's ever been but his trainer admits as the horse gets older, the races get tougher.Gary Portelli is just hoping his class can get him an overdue win in Saturday's Group Two Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill in which the seven-year-old ...
No Better Time To Race In NSW
Sep 06, 2016Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club today announced that as of 1 October 2016 the minimum prizemoney for Saturday metropolitan races will increase to $100,000 per race.“This increase headlines several prizemoney initiatives totaling almost $53 million annually which has ...
Rebel Dane still up for fight, says trainer Gary Portelli
Aug 18, 2016Gary Portelli has dismissed suggestions Rebel Dane has lost the will to win and has a simple message for his knockers — if you don’t like him, don’t back him.Rebel Dane’s critics resurfaced on social media when the sprinter was a beaten favourite first-up in the ...
Portelli lauds injured hoop in Testashadow win
Aug 13, 2016Testashadow was steered to victory in the Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club Spring Preview (1400m) by in-form apprentice Deanne Panya but Portelli was quick to acknowledge the contribution of Samantha Clenton, who is nearing a return to the saddle after suffering shoulder and ...
Rebel Dane new Missile Stakes favourite
Aug 06, 2016Gary Portelli knows he is saddling up the best horse in the Missile Stakes but admits he is clueless about tactics.The field for Saturday's Group Two 1200m-sprint has been reduced to five with the scratchings of Golden Slipper winner Capitalist and Group One-placed Generalife ...
Portelli Hopes Curse Rated Heavy
Aug 05, 2016Rival trainer Gary Portelli concedes only the “Golden Slipper curse” can beat Capitalist in Saturday’s Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.Portelli, who saddles up Group 1 winner Rebel Dane in the $175,000 feature, made the big admission on Thursday despite 24 ...
Rebel Dane to take the weight in Missile
Aug 03, 2016Rebel Dane is the highest-rated horse in the Group Two Missile Stakes but trainer Gary Portelli is under no illusions how tough the race will be.Mount Nebo was added to the nominations on Tuesday, bringing the number of entries to eight but Ramornie Handicap winner Smart ...
Rebel Dane tackles rising star in Missile Stakes
Aug 03, 2016One is a grand old stager trying to prove he’s still got it at the elite level and the other is the new kid on the block trying to prove he’s no one-hit wonder against his own age group.On Saturday at Randwick, Rebel Dane takes on Golden Slipper winner Capitalist in the ...
Weight's A Worry For Mare
Aug 02, 2016There's a reason why Sizzling Gaze is skipping a grade in Tuesday’s Australian Bloodstock Handicap (1350m) at Cessnock.The daughter of Snitzel broke her maiden at the final run of her last preparation and then resumed with a strong win over 1300m at Goulburn in a class one ...
Rebel Ready For Missile
Aug 01, 2016Rebel Dane is fighting fit ahead of his early season campaign with trainer Gary Portelli's main worry the presence of Capitalist in the Missile Stakes.Trainer Gary Portelli has Rebel Dane ready to go to the races but admits his early season targets will not be easy.New jockey ...
Portelli Racing Newsletter - July
Jul 27, 2016The July Edition of the Portelli Racing Newsletter is available to read.We take a look at our Magic Millions eligible Not A Single Doubt x Cheetara colt, the recent stakes victory of Straturbo, as well as the exciting season ahead, plus much more...To view the newsletter, click ...
Rebel set for Missile first up
Jul 26, 2016Tommy Berry will ride Rebel Dane when he resumes in the Missile Stakes on Saturday week and trainer Gary Portelli is pleased the leading jockey was aboard in a barrier trial on Monday.Rebel Dane finished third in the trial behind Vashka and Majaska at Warwick Farm, settling off ...
Weather key to Warwick Farm: Portelli
Jul 19, 2016Predicted rain in Sydney will shape Gary Portelli's week with the trainer juggling his options.Portelli is hoping to have four runners at his home track on Wednesday but if the rain arrives early that could be reduced to two, Cosmic Cameo (pictured) and Lot Three Four One who ...
Sebring Sun the shining light at lacklustre Rosehill barrier trials
Jun 14, 2016Gary Portelli’s classy but equally enigmatic three-year-old SEBRING SUN added some star power to an otherwise lacklustre round of trials at Rosehill last Friday morning streaking away to an emphatic 3.5-lens.The Golden Rose placegetter and Rosebud winner has been out of sorts ...
Homebody Straturbo relishes trip away
Jun 09, 2016Straturbo doesn't like being away from his home at Warwick Farm for too long.But his trainer Gary Portelli says the rising seven-year-old also doesn't mind a bit of travelling.Straturbo is set for another long float trip, this time to Melbourne, to contest the Jezabeel Handicap ...
Next Level claims Cessnock Cup
Jun 01, 2016Next Level went up a notch to claim Monday’s $25,000 Tooheys New Cessnock Cup after going to the post the $3.75 favourite.The four-year- old More Than Ready gelding always looked a winning chance and took out the feature event by just under two lengths after a superb ride by ...
Gary Portelli sprinter reaches the Next Level
May 31, 2016Gary Portelli’s improving sprinter Next Level ran his rivals into the ground with a dominant frontrunning effort to take out the $25,000 Cessnock Cup (1350m) on Monday. Next Level, well-rated by jockey Mitchell Bell, led most of the way and held a comfortable margin of nearly ...
Gary Portelli cleared of ibuprofen charge
May 29, 2016A relieved Gary Portelli has had an ibuprofen conviction wiped from his record in light of other cases relating to the anti-inflammatory.The Warwick Farm trainer was mystified when Za Magic tested positive to ibuprofen in late 2014 and he was fined $6000, later halved on ...
Straturbo Wins Listed Chief De Beers Quality
May 21, 2016Gary Portelli has claimed an early black type win on 2016 Doomben Cup Day this afternoon, as classy sprinter Straturbo comfortably took out the Listed Chief De Beers Quality (1050m). Straturbo was too good for his rivals in the Chief De Beers Quality at Doomben this ...
Gary Portelli hoping a drop in grade will allow Sebring Sun to shine once again
May 20, 2016Sebring Sun may not have to face group 1 opposition on Saturday at Rosehill, but his task looks no less difficult as he steps out to face older horses for just the second time in his career.Trainer Gary Portelli said he is trying to bring back confidence in his three-year-old ...