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Racing

Low draw perfect for fresh Kimochi in G1

An overdue change of luck at the barrier draw has Kimochi poised to rebound at Eagle Farm.

KIMOCHI.
KIMOCHI. Picture: Colin Bull / Sportpix

All roads lead to the Stradbroke Handicap for high-class mare Kimochi but trainer Gary Portelli says an inside barrier draw will ensure she is given every opportunity to snare the Kingsford Smith Cup along the way.

The winner of the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) in the spring, Kimochi raced three times during the autumn, finishing runner-up in the Challenge Stakes (1000m) and a brave fifth in the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) from the outside gate.

A torrid run from another awkward draw put paid to her chances in the All Aged Stakes (1400m) when she went forward and was trapped wide throughout.

"My fault. I told the 'jock' to put the foot down out of the barriers to get across and four other jockeys had the same instructions, so she ended up three and four deep the whole way," Portelli said.

"It was a disaster.

"She's had plenty of time to come through it and she's had a barrier trial. She is going really well."

Significantly, Kimochi has come up with barrier three for Saturday's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm and while the race isn't her grand final, Portelli says the low draw brings her right into it.

"She has finally drawn a gate where we can just put her to sleep and give her a chance to run home and she will get every chance this weekend, I'm sure," he said.

"She is better second-up and she's had a freshen up so there is chance she might just need the run in this race over the 1300, which I think is her sweet spot distance-wise.

"Then the 1400-metres two weeks' later is going to be spot-on for her.

"She's on the fourth line of betting for the Stradbroke so it's the right race for her. Hopefully she can draw a gate in that as well."

Robert Sangster Stakes runner-up Ameena is an early scratching from the Kingsford Smith, while Rothfire has also been withdrawn after being treated for ongoing issues stemming from a stone bruise.

His trainer Robert Heathcote remains hopeful Rothfire can recover in time to take his place in the Stradbroke Handicap next month.


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