Portelli To Split Juveniles Between States

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Gary Portelli

will rely on in the two-year-old race at after deciding to split his youngsters between states.

Mystic Vein and stablemate are both among acceptances in Sydney and Brisbane on Saturday, but Portelli has confirmed Avno Doubt will head to the Plate (1050m) while Mystic Vein stays closer to home for the Sky Racing Active Handicap (1100m).

Both horses are Magic Millions eligible and Portelli is keen to give them every opportunity to earn their way into the $2 million feature in January.

“You've got to get as much prize money as you can so it is silly to put two Magic Millions horses against each other,” Portelli said.

“I thought Doomben would suit her more. She's a front-running type with good speed. He is more a horse that will unwind.”

A Wandjina half-brother to dual Group One winner Platelet, Mystic Vein has been slow to catch on to life as a racehorse.

After the colt ran off the track in his first barrier trial, Portelli sent him to horseman Aaron Moyes who fine-tuned his education through figure eight and dressage work.

He returned to the stable at and was much more tractable, finishing a narrow second to Saturday's rival Chilliwack in his most recent trial.

“Now he's getting on the right leg and he trialled much better,” Portelli said.

“He is a big, strong raw colt who is probably going to need a bit more time.

“This is more a look-see to see what kind of ability he's got on Saturday.”

With Avno Doubt to run in Brisbane, a field of six will contest the opening race at Rosehill, four of them first starters.

The and David Eustace-trained has the strongest form of the pair who have raced with a stakes placing down the straight on debut.

He has also been accepted for a two-year-old race at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

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