Against the backdrop of England's dramatic draw with Australia in the Ashes series opener, trainer Gary Portelli has been taking and losing some wickets of his own.In a timely stable shuffle, Portelli has farewelled handy galloper Over The Wicket who has been sold to Singapore.But he has picked up 2006 Sires' Produce Stakes runner-up Down The Wicket with the gelding returning to Australia after failing to reproduce his best form during two seasons in Hong Kong.The timing of his acquisition hasn'

Against the backdrop of England's dramatic draw with Australia in the Ashes series opener, trainer Gary Portelli has been taking and losing some wickets of his own.

In a timely stable shuffle, Portelli has farewelled handy galloper Over The Wicket who has been sold to Singapore.

But he has picked up 2006 Sires' Produce Stakes runner-up Down The Wicket with the gelding returning to Australia after failing to reproduce his best form during two seasons in Hong Kong.

The timing of his acquisition hasn't been lost on the Warwick Farm horseman.

"The Australians could have done with a wicket this morning," Portelli said.

Down The Wicket has not raced in Australia since finishing fifth in Mentality's Champagne Stakes at Randwick in April 2006.

He had 12 starts in Hong Kong with his best effort a second at Sha Tin more than two years ago.

Portelli concedes he will face a task helping Down The Wicket recapture his two-year-old form saying the gelding has been plagued by feet problems.

"They were always a bit suspect and we warned them to be careful with his feet when we sold him," Portelli said.

"I think the farrier may have gone a bit overboard with his first shoeing because they had trouble with them from day one.

"He's a pretty relaxed horse so I wouldn't have thought Hong Kong would worry him but he didn't reproduce his best over there.

"Hopefully he will on the weekend."

Despite his Group One placing as a juvenile, Down The Wicket has returned to Australia with a 79 rating and Portelli has nominated him for a Rating 91 Hcp (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Now a rising six-year-old, Down The Wicket has prepared for his return with two barrier trials, winning his most recent.

He will be ridden by apprentice Nathan Berry who combined successfully with Portelli at Randwick on Saturday with an all-the-way win on Yoburg.