Trainer Gary Portelli will have his two year old Single Bullet inspected again on Friday even though he was passed fit this morning to run Saturday’s Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill.
Single Bullet, above, has been passed fit to run in the 2017 Golden Slipper at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Single Bullet was examined by Racing NSW Senior Official Veterinarian, Dr Craig Suann, this morning after Portelli informed Racing New South Wales Stewards on Wednesday that Single Bullet has been cast in his stall and had taken some skin off both his front legs.
Portelli confirmed on twitter that the Not A Single Doubt colt would be inspected again on Friday.
“Single Bullet has passed the vet inspection today. We will inspect him again tomorrow and all being well will be running in the slipper.” Portelli tweeted.
Below is the report posted by Racing New South Wales on their website.
“Racing NSW Senior Official Veterinarian, Dr Craig Suann, this morning inspected the Gary Portelli-trained Single Bullet, to ascertain it’s suitability to compete in Saturday’s Longines Golden Slipper, following the colt becoming cast in its stable yesterday afternoon.
“Dr Suann reported that Single Bullet was found to have superficial abrasions to both forelegs, however, there was no swelling or pain associated with the abrasions.
“Dr Suann also indicated that there was no lameness detected at the trot. He further advised that the right eye has some minor swelling near the upper eye lid, however, the colt has full functionality with the eye.
“Single Bullet is continuing to receive treatment, including the application of poultices and ice to manage the injuries. A further inspection will be conducted by Dr Suann on Friday afternoon to assess the colt’ s progress.”
Single Bullet is rated one of the outsiders in the Golden Slipper field at $26 with Ladbrokes.com.au even though he gained a spot in the final sixteen with his win in the Group 3 $175,000 Cafe Culture + Insitu Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill last Saturday.
Tye Angland will again be aboard Single Bullet who will get a good run just off the pace from barrier three.
“Barrier three, you couldn’t ask her anything better. Bullet is going to go back and settle off the pace,” Portelli said.
“By the Slipper we have a bit of an idea how the track is playing as well so we will leave it to our riders.”
Portelli will also saddle up the $5.50 second favourite She Will Reign who has drawn wide at thirteen but could jump from eleven if all three emergencies fail to get a run with regular rider Ben Melham to ride again.
She Will Reign was the winner of her first three starts in a 1000m Kembla Grange Maiden on December 10, in the Restricted Listed $500,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick on December 17 and then in the Group 2 $250,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on February 18 after missing the start.
The filly’s winning run came to an end on a heavy track when second to Golden Slipper rival Frolic in the Group 2 $300,000 Affinity Shopping Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 4 but Portelli said that she has come through the run in fine style and continued to impress him on the training tracks.
“She pulled up enormous,” Portelli said.
Queensland filly Houtzen continues to hold down the number one spot in the Golden Slipper market order at $4.40 with Ladbrokes.com.au and will be striving to keep her undefeated record of four wins from starts intact.
Houtzen also drew poorly and could jump from barrier fourteen if all the emergencies fail to gain a start but that shouldn’t be a problem after jockey Jeff Lloyd crossed the field form the outside gate to lead all of the way to win the $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.
