Latest News

By John Schell

Warwick Farm horseman Gary Portelli will send a strong team to Orange on Monday with high hopes of success.

Portelli has four strong chances set to contest the seven-race card, starting with Takeover Artist in the Buckleys Carpet Court Maiden Handicap (1290m).

“He’s coming into this run nice and fresh on the back of a good trial,” said Portelli.

Trainer Gary Portelli (Pic: Steve Hart)

“He’s only had the one start and that was at Gosford late last year. He’s come back in good order and I’d like to think he’s suited in the race at Orange. Hopefully he can run well and it will be a confidence builder for him.”

Mikayla Weir will be aboard Takeover Artist, while Courtney Ferris will be aboard stablemate Nonshalaant when he tackles the Spanline Home Additions Orange & Bathurst Benchmark 58 Handicap (1010m).

“He [Nonshalaant] resumed at Goulburn the other day and ran well with a nice fourth,” Portelli said.

“He has a wide draw to contend with but he has a pretty good record and I think a forward showing is on the cards.”

Kimono will represent Portelli in the Coopers Brewery Maiden Plate (1410m) and Beany Panya takes the ride on that filly.

“She’s shown us a bit of ability in her career,” Portelli said of Kimono.

“She’s only been placed in one of seven starts but that was in city grade at Canterbury.

“Although she’s been unplaced in her last few starts, she hasn’t been beaten too far in any of them so there’s no reason she can’t run a good race even though she’s drawn wide as well.”

Portelli will round out the day at Orange when last start winner Kenology contests the Kennards Hire Orange Benchmark 58 Handicap (1410m) with Weir aboard.

“Kenology is a horse that has always shown us plenty of ability,” said Portelli.

“It took a bit longer for him to break through with a win than we would have liked but he did the job in good enough style when he scored at Bathurst last time out.

“He’s run some good races in his career and now that he’s won he could go right on with the job.”

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Orange meeting