Good luck and a good ride are the keys to former talented juvenile Romanus returning to the winner's circle at Warwick Farm.Trainer Gary Portelli said little had gone right for the three-year-old this campaign, including last start when he missed the start and ran on late for fifth."The other day we expected he'd be in the first three but he was a bit fractious in the stalls and when the gates opened the barrier attendant still had hold of his head," Portelli said."It was one of those races wher
Good luck and a good ride are the keys to former talented juvenile Romanus returning to the winner's circle at Warwick Farm.
Trainer Gary Portelli said little had gone right for the three-year-old this campaign, including last start when he missed the start and ran on late for fifth.
"The other day we expected he'd be in the first three but he was a bit fractious in the stalls and when the gates opened the barrier attendant still had hold of his head," Portelli said.
"It was one of those races where he had to be in the first three to win and all of a sudden he was back last and had to go around them.
"His run was good considering what happened at the start....when that happened he was out of play."
Romanus was placed in Manhattan Rain's Skyline Stakes as a two-year-old and finished fifth to the same horse in the Group One AJC Sires' Produce Stakes.
But he has not won since taking out a juvenile race at his second start more than a year ago and Portelli is hoping the gelding can change that in Tuesday's Schweppes Sydney Cup Day 24/4 Hcp (1400m).
Romanus has drawn barrier two, will carry just 51.5kg after the claim of apprentice Nathan Berry and will be racing on his home track of Warwick Farm.
But Portelli concedes he faces no easy task against the likes of El Sonador, who beat him last start, talented colt St Augustine and the Darley pair of Shakes and Mascareri.
"At this time of year midweek company is not the usual midweek company, they're usually Saturday horses pushed back to the midweekers because there are only Group races on Saturday," Portelli said.
"It won't be a walk in the park.
"He needs to be ridden properly and he needs luck in running."
Romanus is being aimed towards the inaugural $770,000 Inglis Guineas (1600m) at Scone on May 14, the richest country race in Australia.
If he can win on Tuesday, Portelli will consider a start in the Listed Carbine Club Stakes over the same trip at Randwick on April 10.
"But we're taking baby steps first, he needs to start winning to get his confidence back and to get back our confidence in him," he said.
The Warwick Farm meeting is also set to be the launching pad for beautifully bred filly Blue Lotus who will make her debut in the Cabramatta Hcp (1200m).
Trained by Gai Waterhouse, Blue Lotus is by champion sire Redoute's Choice out of former top racemare Our Egyptian Raine and won her latest barrier trial by two lengths.