Written by Paul Vettise
Gary Portelli has a proven eye for a 2-year-old and he hasn’t come across many more willing than Roman Wolf (Deep Field), a colt with his fair share of talent and a healthy appetite for racing.
Every time the Warwick Farm trainer has given any thought to giving the youngster a break, he’s been convinced by the multiple winner’s demeanour to press on.
“It wasn’t the plan to keep going, but he just wants to race on and go around again,” Portelli said. “He keeps picking up prize money and is always knocking on the door.
Trainer Gary Portelli
“He’s definitely a horse that might have gone out and hurt himself, that’s for sure, he’s just too well. This one might see him out, but I’ve said that a few times.”
Roman Wolf will make his eighth appearance of the season at Randwick on Saturday when he runs in the Australian Turf Club H. with apprentice Samantha Clenton to take the ride again and her claim will lighten the load to 56kg.
Out of luck
He has placed at each of his last two appearances and didn’t have all favours last time out when third behind the highly-regarded Rule The World (Hallowed Crown).
“He’s just one of those horses that when things do go right on the day he’ll get a result,” Portelli said. “He’s a very tough horse.”
Roman Wolf was bought out of Highgrove Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft by Portelli for $120,000.
“He’s got a lovely pedigree and I thought he was pretty cheap. I was actually fired up and I thought I’d have to go to $200,000 to $300,000 for him on type and pedigree,” he said.
Roman Wolf was a $120,000 yearling
“I guess it was being in the right place at the right time and we got him quite cheaply really.”
“I guess it was being in the right place at the right time and we got him quite cheaply really.” – Gary Portelli.
Roman Wolf is a son of unraced Exhibit (Octagonal {NZ}), who has a 100 per cent record at stud with all seven of her foals to race successful and includes the stakes performer Light Touch (Charge Forward).
The dam is a half-sister to the G1 Myer Classic winner Bonaria (Redoute’s Choice) and the G3 Sweet Embrace S. winner Legally Bay (Snippets), whose son Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) won the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and the G1 Royal Ascot Diamond Jubilee S. before retiring to Coolmore.
“He’s owned by Joe Stambe and his brother Frank and I was probably their first trainer,” Portelli said.
“They went away from the game for a while and I just happened to run into Joe at the sales. He told me he was the under-bidder on the top-priced horse.
“I said I’ve got a better one than him and for a quarter of the price.”
Time to return
Portelli also has Time To Reign, a half-brother to his G1 Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain), back in the stable.
“He’s trialling next Friday at Warwick Farm and he’ll be heading toward the Rosebud first-up on August 10,” he said.
“There’s no hiding, he’s got to take on the best from here on in. He’s got to go for it and if he’s up to them he’ll be there and if he’s not we’ll soon find out.”
Time To Reign won three of his six starts earlier this season, including the G2 Silver Slipper S. at Rosehill and was spelled after running fifth in the G1 Golden Slipper S.
“Physically he’s come on and he’s going through a bit of a growth spurt,” Portelli said. “He’s gotten quite tall and we might see the best of him come autumn time, I’m looking forward to him next year when he’s fully matured.”
