Portman continues winning campaign with Flemington romp
PORTMAN was one of the best-backed runners on the card at Flemington on Saturday and it didn’t disappoint punters.
The four-year-old gelding out of the Danny O’Brien stables won its third start this preparation after only breaking maiden ranks in November.
Owned by Qatar Bloodstock, the son of Makfi will likely continue to rise through the grades after Saturday’s Rating 78 Handicap win according to Australian representative Geoffrey Faber.
“He handles fast tracks now, so onward and upwards,” Faber said. “There’s a handicap and a possible group three, we’ll see.”
The highly-regarded type has had its fair share of off-the-track problems as Faber explained.
“He’s come right – we nearly lost him as a three-year-old (when he) had pneumonia,” Faber said. “We gave him a long break, turned him out then he damaged his knee while he was out.
“He’s come back in super form and he should really be unbeaten, but it’s great to have him where he is now, because he’s a home-bred too, so it’s fantastic.”
Winning jockey Ben Allen produced another top-class ride for an apprentice after landing the $2.35 favourite at Sportsbet.com.au in the ideal position around the Flemington circuit.
“We got a really lovely run from the barrier (8), we had a tricky gate,” Allen said.
“He’s got that nice early speed and he puts himself right there.”
Allen produced the gelding at the top of the straight and after a bit of cuddling, he let the four-year-old down with a stylish turn-of-foot.
“He’s still a little bit raw, but he was strong to the line.”
There was good money for Jest On The Road which paid $1.80 for the place and it pushed Portman hard down the straight.
The locally-trained gelding has won or placed at its last six starts and it looks a horse to follow in this grade.