Tough Kimochi outguns rivals in G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

Posted by RS NewsWire at 8:03pm on November 16th

Gary Portelli has not been afraid to cross borders multiple times this preparation with Kimochi and that confidence has been rewarded with a win at the highest level with a galloper who is now an extra valuable mare for Yulong.

Kimochi’s victory in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) bookended her preparation with victories after winning first-up at Randwick in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) in late August, then a run in Melbourne, then back to Sydney before two more runs in Melbourne.

“There was a bit of pressure on us, Yulong have been on fire with their famous colours in the last few weeks,” Portelli said.

“I was able to win first-up with her and she’d just hit a couple of little flat spots since. Back to the 1400m, no weight on her back, champion ride. It was a brilliant ride from barrier 13 to get one off.

“They paid $2.2 million for her at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, and we’ve been able to win a Group race. She’s worth probably three times that now.”

Craig Williams rode the daughter of Japanese sire Brave Smash for the first time since they second in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) on this day last year, the top jockey steered her to win from the awkward draw.

“From the first half of the race, I just worried about riding her, not worried about positioning, and I thought if I get that first part right with her, I’ll have a really good horse at the end,” Williams said.

“At the top of the straight, she was just marking time and then all of a sudden she just really showed her tenacity and to run down a horse like Another Wil was great.”

Kimochi ($26) scored over Another Wil ($2.70) by a long-neck margin with a steadily improving Steparty ($31) 1½-lengths away in third.

“Can’t ask for much more, just the drying track probably pulled him up a little bit the last hundred (metres) but he’ll win one soon,” Jamie Kah said of Another Wil’s effort.

Another Wil’s stablemate Jimmysstar ($3.20) finished six-lengths from the winner in tenth with excuses in the run.

“Disastrous,” Damian Lane said.

“(He was) held up for clear running on straightening and went to the line under canter.”

Kimochi provided Portelli with his ninth career win at Group 1 level.

More Racing News

Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win

Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...

Dec 21st

Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention

Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...

Dec 21st

Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025

Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...

Dec 21st

The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick

Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...

Dec 21st

Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova

Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...

Dec 21st

Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024

One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...

Dec 21st

Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion

Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...

Dec 20th

Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize

Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...

Dec 20th

Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon

A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...

Dec 20th

Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge

Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...

Dec 20th