A relieved Gary Portelli has turned his attention to Saturday's racing after what he admits was a nerve-racking time at Hawkesbury where boom colt Lighthorseman broke his maiden in emphatic style.A $900,000 yearling, Lighthorseman is the most expensive horse Portelli has ever trained and expectations have been high ever since his recovery from a muscle tear.Prior to Thursday's Hawkesbury outing, Lighthorseman had been to the races just once when a tiring fifth to Desuetude over 1200m in August.P

A relieved Gary Portelli has turned his attention to Saturday's racing after what he admits was a nerve-racking time at Hawkesbury where boom colt Lighthorseman broke his maiden in emphatic style.

A $900,000 yearling, Lighthorseman is the most expensive horse Portelli has ever trained and expectations have been high ever since his recovery from a muscle tear.

Prior to Thursday's Hawkesbury outing, Lighthorseman had been to the races just once when a tiring fifth to Desuetude over 1200m in August.

Punters rallied to Lighthorseman at Hawkesbury and he was sent out the $1.50 favourite and didn't give any cause for concern, beating Battlefield by 2-3/4 lengths.

"I don't normally get nervous going to the races but there was a lot at stake," Portelli said.

"There is such a big wrap on the horse and the question of my pride so it was great to get it over with and see him do it so well.

"There is still a lot of improvement in him so we'll give him a few days to get over it and decide where he goes."

There are no nerves with two-year-old Gunner Knox who takes on Golden Slipper second favourite Real Saga in Saturday's Hula Chief Handicap (1000m).

Real Saga, who is trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, was also nominated for the Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield on Monday, an option Portelli would have preferred.

"I'm disappointed to see Hawkesy's horse turn up but I'll be happy if Gunner Knox can run second to Real Saga," Portelli said.

"And who knows, he could be the smoky in the race. The plan is to get him over and onto the fence in the lead and they will have to run him down.

"Although there are only five horses in the race, they are a pretty classy five and I think it will be a good race."

Gunner Knox has been unplaced at his only two starts but Portelli believes the decision to take him to the front will pay off.

Stablemate Talaana will also go straight to the lead in the Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1800m) which follows his all-the-way win over 1550m on January 7.

Portelli is keen to stretch him out over ground although jockey Chris Munce is not so sure.

"I think with a soft lead he will get the distance but Chris thinks he will struggle," Portelli said.

"But I have always thought he would get better over further so we will see who is right.

"Plus there is a BOBS bonus worth another $20,000 on top of first prize so it's worth finding out."

Portelli's other runners on Saturday are Helluva Party in the Chinese New Year Handicap (1400m) and O'Crikey and Test Edition who both contest the Exceed And Excel Welter (1300m).