

16-length winner earns shot at Sandown Cup
Mind-boggling 16-length last start winner True Marvel will step out in Saturday’s Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) at Caulfield. While Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith is under no illusions True Marvel needs conditions to suit – weather and distance – The Valley romp has prompted thoughts to raise the bar slightly. True Marvel walloped a field of jumpers basically in the Jericho Cup Qualifier last Friday week but as a French-bred cannot proceed towards the 4600m Jericho Cup on Su


Portelli pair sizzles in Warwick Farm juvenile trials
Warwick Farm hosted four 2-year-old trials last Tuesday morning, and each but one occurred on the turf track over 796 metres. The fastest was knocked off in 46.93s when local trainer Gary Portelli landed a close quinella between winner Malabar (Dissident) and stablemate Tenderize (Snitzel). Just 0.1l separated the pair on the line, and they pulled well clear of the rest of the field. The Bjorn Baker-trained Shalaa Magic (Shalaa {Ire}) was 3.24l away in third. At the bounce, M


Romance to hit early for Dunn
Trainer Matthew Dunn believes his filly Deep Romance is a winning chance in the second event at Canterbury on Friday evening if one key thing happens before she’s let down. “I’d love to have something to come off its back late because she’s got a really good turn of foot. Even if she could just follow one. That would do me,” Dunn said. “It would be great if we could get a couple to lead. In both races now she’s got herself to the front too soon. I thought she was home the oth