New Day Rising To Lift On Saturday
- Monday, 14 November 2011 07:16
A temperature ruled New Day Rising out of his first Sydney start for trainer Gary Portelli who hopes to get the gelding's Villiers campaign back on track this week.
The former Gai Waterhouse-trained galloper was unplaced when he made his debut for the Portelli stable at Geelong on October 19 but showed an encouraging glimpse of form when fourth to Under The Eiffel on November 1.
The five-year-old is one of 20 entries for the November Handicap (1400m) at his new home track, Warwick Farm, on Saturday.
"He had to be scratched from Rosehill on Saturday because he developed a temperature on the trip up from Melbourne and had to be treated," Portelli said.
"Everything has settled down now and as long as he works well on Tuesday, he should be running.
"I was very happy with his effort against Under The Eiffel when he was beaten less than four lengths."
Under The Eiffel franked his own form with an impressive victory in Saturday's Group Three Sandown Stakes.
Clients of Portelli bought New Day Rising from Eduardo Cojuangco's Gooree operation with two wins and four placings beside his name from 11 starts for Waterhouse.
"He has had his problems in the past with knee issues," Portelli said.
"But he is a happy horse and free in his action so we're hoping he can make it to the Villiers."
The Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on December 17 is Sydney's major summer feature.
New Day Rising's potential opponents on Saturday include the Joe Pride-trained pair of Miss Keepsake and Title along with veteran Mentality, runner-up in last year's Villiers to Dances On Waves.
A triple Group One winner over the Randwick mile as a young horse, Mentality has not won since August of 2009 when he dead-heated with Kroner in the Group Two Premiere Stakes.
Eight Bills will also make his first Sydney appearance for Portelli when he runs in the Benchmark 85 over 1000 metres.
The sprinter has done all his racing so far out of Portelli's Flemington stable run by the trainer's brother Troy.
"I entered him for Moonee Valley as well but he will be on the road to Sydney later this week," Portelli said.
"It's just a question of finding the right races and it's great to be able to put these horses on a float and send them between the two stables."
Eight Bills has won six of his 15 starts, five over 1000 metres.
