Written by Jackson Frantz
Gary Portelli’s daily encounters with Maurice (Jpn) while preparing Rebel Dane for the 2016 G1 Hong Kong Sprint proved the catalyst for two of his first-crop sons to take place in Saturday’s G1 Victoria Derby.
The Warwick Farm-based trainer will saddle up Clyde and Akihiro in the time-honoured Flemington feature after an affinity for their Arrowfield Stud sire was ignited during his Hong Kong stay.
“I was up in Hong Kong with Rebel Dane for the (G1) Hong Kong Sprint and while we were at the quarantine area, I was lucky enough to see him (Maurice) work every morning,” Portelli told TDN AusNZ.
“He was an absolute monster, a beautiful natured horse and while I was there the Morton’s (Glenn and Lisa) were with me and the day they saw him (Maurice) they decided they’d send a mare to him, and ironically enough here we are with Clyde in a Derby.”
Gary Portelli
Clyde was retained by Glenn and Lisa Morton after he was passed in after failing to meet a reserve of $275,000 at the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
He is out of the unraced Vicky (Encosta De Lago), making him a half-brother to G2 Wellington Guineas winner Neo (NZ) (One Cool Cat {USA}) and Hong Kong stakes winner Ping Hai Star (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu {NZ}).
Portelli actively pursued the progeny of Maurice last year, purchasing Akihiro for $80,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale via the draft of Arrowfield Stud, before acquiring recent Hawkesbury winner Maurice’s Choice after he was passed in at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Portelli is also excited by the progression of a 2-year-old colt by Maurice, a half-brother to multiple Group-placed galloper Dealmaker (Dundeel {NZ}), who was purchased for $110,000 by Elite Thoroughbreds at this year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
“When his (Maurice) first crop of yearlings arrived, I thought I’d buy a few as they’ve got great conformation, plenty of bone, good size about them and are really tough horses that handle Australian racing,” Portelli said.
“When his first crop of yearlings arrived, I thought I’d buy a few as they’ve got great conformation, plenty of bone, good size about them and are really tough horses that handle Australian racing.” - Gary Portelli
“I would’ve liked to have purchased more but I was the under bidder on too many, so I actually texted John Messara the other day asking if he had any more for me.”
A testament to the stallion
Portelli described his experience with Akihiro as a testament to Maurice’s versatility as a stallion, saying that if given the right mares he can get you an early running juvenile that trains on at three.
“All of the Maurices I have, apart from Akihiro, are big and solid, but he managed to run second on Everest Day last year as a 2-year-old and here he is going around in a Derby, which proves they can go early and then train on,” Portelli said.
“And for a stallion to have three horses (Akihiro, Clyde and Hitotsu) from his first bunch of 3-year-olds in a Victoria Derby is simply unheard of. They come at two and are there at three its every owner's dream.”
Maurice (Jpn) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Akihiro’s dam Lahana (Hussonet {USA}) is out of four-time Group 1 winner Alinghi (Encosta De Lago).
G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) winner and G1 Blue Diamond S. third placegetter Beneteau features in this pedigree.
Portelli is struggling to split Akihiro and Clyde ahead of the Derby, saying that the market isn’t a true reflection of their individual chances.
Akihiro, who currently occupies the seventh line of betting comes through a fourth placing in last Saturday’s G2 Drummond Golf Vase while Clyde remains a three-figure chance with the vast majority of bookmakers after winning a 2200 metre BM58 H. at Scone.
“Clyde is bred to stay and I think he will run a tremendous race as he is a tough horse with a big beautiful action who will race up on the pace and make his own luck,” Portelli said.
“Clyde is bred to stay and I think he will run a tremendous race as he is a tough horse with a big beautiful action who will race up on the pace and make his own luck.” - Gary Portelli
“When I went up to Scone to strap him he was quite agitated and a real handful, sweating up and carrying on like a lunatic before going on and breaking the course record.
“So, if it’s not this preparation look out for him on the Derby circuit next year because if he had’ve drawn a barrier and settled closer in the (G1) Spring Champion S. he’d have finished within 3l of Profondo.”
Portelli isn’t willing to put a line through Akihiro’s chances despite expressing some concern about his galloper’s credentials at 2500 metres after an inconclusive showing over 2040 metre in the Vase.
Clyde as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We had to work early to take up a position and the pressure was on at the 750-metre mark in the (G2 Drummond Golf) Vase which meant we had had to get on our bike earlier than we would’ve liked,” Portelli said.
“The query is still if he can run the 2500 metres and while James McDonald thought he wouldn’t get it you have to give them a chance and the way he relaxes gives me some confidence that he will run the trip out.”
