On Tuesday, the Gary Portelli-trained Flying Trapeze climbed off the canvas to open his winning account over 1400m at Kembla Grange and credit Trapeze Artist with his sixth winner.
Leading from the front under Brandon Lerena, Flying Trapeze looked vulnerable at the 200m but answered every call to defeat the Toronado (IRE) colt Sly Boots by a half-head with $1,400,000 Snitzel colt Cap Ferrat a short-head back in third.
Fifth in the Group III Breeders’ Plate at Randwick last October, Flying Trapeze broke through at his sixth start and had been placed at his previous two.
Portelli Racing purchased the son of Trapeze Artist for $85,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bred by Rob and Jan Bergstrom, Flying Trapeze is the first foal of the Bernardini (USA) mare Coromandel, a sister to multiple Group II winner and Group 1 placed Toydini out of the Bergstrom’s outstanding mare Johan’s Toy (Johan Cruyff).
Bowness Stud purchased Coromandel for $80,000 from the Willow Stud draft at the 2019 National Broodmare Sale.
First Light Racing/Annabel Neasham Racing shelled out $120,000 for a sister to Flying Artist consigned by Widden Stud to the 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Coromandel revisited Trapeze Artist last spring. The Widden Stud stallion trails only Brave Smash (8) in the race for the number of individual winners by a first-season sire.
