Portelli turns focus to Golden Slipper

Now the Magic Millions is over, trainer Gary Portelli will turn his attention to trying to win back-to-back Golden Slippers.

The Portelli-trained Secret Lady ran fifth in Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic with the winner Sunlight now the equal favourite for the Slipper in March.

“Secret Lady earned $150,000 for running fifth. She got $100,000 as the second all-female owned horse home in the race,” Portelli said.

“That’s the second time we’ve won that bonus so it was a good result.”

Portelli, who won the 2017 Slipper with She Will Reign, is hoping for a good result with debutants and recent barrier trial winners Patron Black and Dio D’Oro who are both entered for Saturday’s 2YO Plate (1000m) at Randwick.

“They are two nice colts and both are barrier trial winners,” he said.

“Dio D’Oro is going to be a lovely three-year-old but he trialled nicely at Warwick Farm so we’ll see how he goes.

“Patron Black is by Patronize and we bought him in Western Australia for $40,000.

“He looks to have plenty of ability and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

The two are among 13 entries for the juvenile race while stable stalwart Straturbo is one of eight taken on Monday for the Summer Sprint (1000m).

The eight-year-old is also entered for a 1050m-open handicap at Doomben which is the likely option.

“I’ll accept in both places but he looks well-placed at Doomben.

“For some reason he seems to go so much better in Brisbane so that’s what I’d prefer but the weather will play a part.”

Among Straturbo’s Queensland wins are victories in the 2016 Listed Chief De Beers Handicap and Bribie Handicap but from 10 starts on rain-affected ground he has one placing.

The Ron Quinton-trained Boss Lane is the highest-rated in the Summer Sprint with a benchmark of 104.