Portelli forced to play his hand with Magic Millions hopeful
TRAINER Gary Portelli didn’t want to send Magic Millions 2YO hopeful Single Bullet to Warwick Farm ($1.50 at CrownBet) on Saturday, but chances to secure more prizemoney are becoming slim.
Portelli told the media last week that he was hoping he wouldn’t have to run Single Bullet again before the Magic Millions on January 14, but it’s currently No. 23 in the order of entry and not guaranteed a start.
“I’m not sure he’s the type of horse that could back up into a major race, particularly when he will have to travel up there as well,” Portelli said.
“But if he pulled up really well and was bucking his brands off, I would have to contemplate it.
“You can’t just turn your back on a $2 million race.
“John Hawkes taught me a long time ago that horses can be here today and gone tomorrow.
“The Golden Slipper is another three months away and a lot of things can go wrong, whereas if you have a horse fit and well it’s a big call to bypass a $2 million race that is just sitting there.
“It will all depend on the horse.”
Single Bullet was game in defeat behind Madeenaty on debut after it missed the jump and had to settle back.
“One of the attendants had hold of his head collar and he jumped sideways when the gates opened and was then in a position where it was always going to be hard work to win,” Portelli said.
Despite not being guaranteed a start, Single Bullet is currently $9 at Sportsbet to win the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Portelli believes the two-year-old has a bright future.
“He’s as nice a horse as I’ve ever had come through,” Portelli said. “He’s shown me exactly the same amount of ability as all the good horses I’ve had.
“I think he’s a Group one horse in the making.
“We only bought him in June. This is only his first preparation. And the thing is, he still looks like a foal.”