Single All Style In Keith Mackay

Saturday, 21 April 2012: Gary Portelli-trained Single Style has recorded a valuable black type victory over gallant runner up Driefontein in the Listed Brookfield Multiplex Keith Mackay Quality at Randwick.

Single Style and Driefontein Photo by Racing and Sports

Single Style faced a noticeable class rise in today's Listed Keith Mackay Quality (1200m) from her previous outing where she broke maiden status against midweek company at Warwick Farm.

The Gary Portelli-trained filly rose to the task however going stride for stride with race favourite Driefontein  getting the upper hand over the final strides.

“I thought at the weights we had a show against Driefontein, particularly if it was dry,” Portelli said.

“When it was wet I thought 'I know this filly can get through it but she doesn't really like it'. So for her to win in these conditions it means there is plenty of upside to her.”

Single Style jumped well and sat up on the speed outside of race favourite Driefontein.

Driefontein did edge clear nearing the 200m however to Single Style's credit, the Not A Single Doubt filly fought back over the concluding stages for a narrow victory.

Portelli was quick to praise both Single Style and Driefontein who carried 5 ½ extra kilos over the Keith Mackay Quality winner.

“She [Driefontein] is one of the top fillies,” Portelli said.

“There is no doubt she'll line up in the spring and will be the horse to beat wherever she goes. To get that sort of weight off a filly like her today, it was a courageous effort by the second horse and an even better effort by mine.”

Now with a stakes win to Single Style's name, Portelli intends on spelling the filly after what has been a most encouraging maiden race campaign.

“She will have a well-earned spell,” Portelli said.

“This is her first preparation; she has won a black type race now and we'll just work out where we go from here.”

Single Style is a half sister to speed machine Fab Fevola  who has generally proven himself to be best suited at distances no further than 1100m.

Portelli believes his filly may be capable over further than the 1200m on offer at Randwick today when she returns next season.

“I think she will probably get seven furlongs eventually,” Portelli said.

“James rode her last start and said she wants 1400m so that probably helped her today. If she can run 14 or 16 there is a fillies series in Sydney. We'll also find out where Samaready  is going and work our way around that.”

The win gave New Zealand jockey James McDonald a winning double to kick off proceedings at Randwick today after he won aboard the Clarry Conners-trained Dear Demi .

“Hopefully that's two of many winners today,” McDonald said.

McDonald is now two from two aboard Single Style after partnering the filly at Warwick Farm last start over 1200m on April 4.

“She wasn't carrying much weight and 5kg less than the one on the inside of me so I thought I would make it work a little bit and make it carry its weight,” McDonald said.

“We went slow enough for the first half of the race and she toughed it out really well.

“The aim was to make it a test for Driefontein and it turned out alright. We got there by the smallest of margins and the winning post came up at the right time.”

McDonald proceeded to dominate the early races at Randwick on Doncaster Mile Day, winning the Keystone Group Handicap (1400m, Race 3) aboard Lightinthenite .