Portman bolts in at Headquarters

Portman has registered his first metropolitan victory in maintaining his excellent form this campaign at Flemington on Saturday.

Trained at the track by Danny O’Brien, Portman ($2.35 favourite) was afforded every chance by apprentice Ben Allen who found the one-one position from the third-widest barrier.

The son of Makfi travelled like the winner throughout and pounced from his trailing spot early in the straight to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of Jest for the Road ($5.50).

"We had a bit of a tricky gate but because he’s got nice early speed he just put himself into the race with ease," Allen said.

"I popped him out a little bit early because he just travels that bit too good and I wanted to keep him flowing whilst I could.

"Once I put the stick in the left hand he really lengthened well," he added.

Portman has been sparingly raced, the four-year-old gelding winning three of his seven starts.

"We nearly lost him as a three-year-old, he had an ammonia," said Geoffrey Faber, Qatar Bloodstock's Australian representative.

"We gave him a long break and then he damaged his knee whilst in the paddock."

Portman will be afforded the opportunity to progress through the grades at Flemington’s next meeting on February 18, O’Brien identifying a benchmark 84 handicap over 1700 metres as a suitable next assignment.

Story by Carl Di Iorio, to view full Racing.com story click here

Pic by Racing Photos