Portelli hopes Shinn is smoking on Cigar
09 May, 2008
Gary Portelli is refusing to write off the chances of Cigar Royale in Saturday's Listed Hawkesbury Guineas for one reason - jockey Blake Shinn.
The hoop is having his last crack at a stakes race before he begins a month-long suspension for testing positive to the banned substance ephedrine.
While Portelli admits the Gai Waterhouse-trained Royal Discretion will be hard to beat, he believes Shinn will be fired-up to go out a black-type winner in Saturday's 1400-metre race.
"Out of all the jockeys riding on the weekend he's the one you want on," Portelli said.
Shinn, who is 10 wins clear of Nash Rawiller in the Sydney jockeys' premiership, was outed by Racing NSW stewards on Tuesday for returning the positive drug test in March.
A day later he came out and rode four winners at Canterbury.
The events of the week added to what has been a topsy-turvy carnival for Shinn who missed the winning Golden Slipper ride on Sebring because of a careless riding suspension but returned to partner the colt to victory in the Group One Sires' Produce Stakes.
"He (Shinn) was in great form at Canterbury and hopefully that continues tomorrow," Portelli said.
"He needs to pay for his holiday."
Shinn has ridden Cigar Royale four times before with their best result a win at Randwick in January.
He was also on board for the gelding's last start third to Royal Discretion in the Group Three South Pacific Classic (1400m) on April 30.
"Gai's horse was pretty impressive in that and on face value you wouldn't think we have a chance, but Blake knows my horse well enough and will give him every chance to show his best," Portelli said.
"He's also pretty well weighted (55kg) and gets a couple of kilos off the top picks in the race."
Topweight for the Guineas is Phar Lap Stakes winner Acey Ducey with 58kg while early favourite Royal Discretion has 57kg, three kilos more than stakeswinner Tenant's Tiara who is the only filly in the race.
While Royal Discretion has drawn ideally in barrier two Cigar Royale has a wide gate in nine.
"He's got an awkward gate but I have faith in Blake slotting him in somewhere," Portelli said.
The Warwick Farm trainer revealed the three-year-old had been in his stable for 285 days and would most likely be spelled after Saturday.
"Equine influenza (EI) ripped through our stables so he hasn't been to the paddock in a long while but he's not a very good speller anyway," Portelli said.
"When he comes back he's all skin and bones, so we might keep him here."
Portelli also believes Shinn holds the key to stablemate Glenbawn Star in the Blakes Marine Handicap (1600m).
"I'm just a bit sceptical about the mile but it is an easier mile at Hawkesbury with the short straight and he might be harder to run down," Portelli said.
"He's got the ability to do it but for some reason with 50 metres to go he tightens up in his action, you can't use the whip on him either because he just crumbles under you.
"He's a tricky ride but Blake is starting to work him out."
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