Portelli's reign set to be brief with spring colt's time to shine
Gary Portelli wants Time To Reign to follow the one-and-done model preferred for Classique Legend this winter before butting heads with Les Bridge's star sprinter during the spring carnival.
Group 2 winner Time To Reign will contest just his second race since finishing down the track in last year's Golden Slipper, beset by breathing issues which resulted in a tieback operation earlier this year.
Horse trainer Gary Portelli and his colt Time to Reign.Credit:James Brickwood
Just a couple of weeks after Classique Legend made a winter cameo in the Bob Charley Stakes, Portelli is poised to give Time To Reign just one start in a restricted race at Rosehill before a short spell.
"He's only had one race throughout his entire three-year-old season and ideally we wouldn't be in this race on the weekend, but because it's been such a long time I need to get him back to the races," Portelli said.
"This is by no means his grand final and there's a chance we will meet Classique Legend at some stage during the spring.
"I think he's ready to get to that level and I think he can win a decent race, which will help him forge a stud career. He is a half-brother to a group 1 winner and we'll talk with the ownership about his future if he can pick up a handy race down the line."
He's a classy animal, but he's always made a bit of a sound.
Gary Portelli
Time To Reign, a half-brother to Portelli's former Golden Slipper heroine and multiple group 1 winner She Will Reign, was one of the fancies for the world's richest juvenile race last year after his Silver Slipper romp.
But after finishing less than a length behind Bold Star when fourth in the listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington in January, the colt was sent for surgery on a wind issue.
"He's a classy animal, but he's always made a bit of a sound," Portelli said. "He pulled up with that issue after his last run at Flemington and we decided to get it fixed. It's not dissimilar to a horse like Rebel Dane who used to make a noise, but went on to win a group 1 and stand at stud.
"I do think he's vulnerable on the weekend. I've always had a problem with horses which are weighted off two-year-old form and that's the reason he's carrying 59.5 kilos. It's not perfect for a horse that has only had one start since the end of his two-year-old season.
"It's hard to line him up against some older horses which are fit racing throughout winter on wet tracks, but he's as good as I can get him. He's mature now and at least he can have this one run under his belt before getting back for the spring."
Time To Reign was a joint $4.40 favourite with BetEasy on Thursday, sharing top billing with Embracer for the 1100 metre sprint.