More Sydney trainers to try Qld: Portelli

Picaro has given Sydney trainer Gary Portelli more Brisbane success with his win at Eagle Farm.

Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli has predicted more Sydney horses will be heading to Brisbane in coming weeks after Picaro won at Eagle Farm.

Picaro ($7.50) won a battle with favourite Miss Shanti ($2.60) to score by a half head in the Madison Cleaning Plate (1825m).

Portelli, who also won with Single Bullet at Eagle Farm last week, said he would be back with more horses as the spring carnivals hotted up in the south.

“I think the spring carnivals in Sydney and Melbourne will be the strongest we have seen in years,” Portelli said.

“It means you have to look for races your horses can win and Brisbane provides that.

“It is a good trip up the highway from Sydney and the horses recover quickly. I don’t think I will be the only one from Sydney bringing horses here in coming weeks.”

Jockey Michael Cahill continued a long association with Portelli and produced a clever ride to win.

“Michael and I go back years to when he was at Cowra and I was at Orange. In fact Michael’s brother Matthew rode my very first winner and that is a good while ago,” Portelli said.

Robbie Fradd, who rode Miss Shanti, said the mare had her chance and kept trying to the line.