Latest news with #Portelli
Mercury
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Mercury
Kimochi heads into unknown for Queensland Group 1 double shot
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Gary Portelli is striving for his first Queensland Group 1 and is set to give strong mare Kimochi two chances in quick succession to pull off the heist. The Stradbroke Handicap has been the main goal for the Yulong-owned Group 1 winner right from the start of her preparation which included a trio of runs in the Sydney autumn carnival. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Best laid plans have been tweaked with the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup rescheduled to Saturday after being one of the races washed out last Saturday when jockeys complained of poor visibility. But Warwick Farm trainer Portelli said Kimochi will still race in the Kingsford Smith on Saturday as a pipe-opener to the Stradbroke seven days later. He admits the seven-day back-up is a step into the unknown for Kimochi, but feels it could even suit her. • $8000 filly who 'walks like a duck' spices up Stradbroke field 'She will run on Saturday, it's a Group 1 race, and I couldn't go to the 1400(m) of the Stradbroke with her straight away given she has had a big gap between runs,' Portelli said. 'A high pressure handicap like the Stradbroke, they have got to be fit. 'We have never had to back-up before, the program has never had us having to back-up. 'But she is a very tough mare, whenever she races she is normally primed the week afterwards. Gary Portelli is confident Kimochi will handle the back-up into the Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images 'You actually think to yourself that she looks better the week after, than what she did leading into the race. 'She does cope with pressure, she's a big strong mare and she has been in work for ages. 'It's not like she's coming out of a spell and she's going to be too fresh or underdone. 'She has got a good fitness core.' • Waller gives hobby trainer reason to believe in Stradbroke fairytale Craig Williams rode Kimochi to Group 1 glory in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield last spring and the pair will reunite at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Kimochi is rated an $11 chance in the Kingsford Smith and is the same price for her main mission of the Stradbroke seven days later. Nine-time Group 1 winner Portelli has had some terrific horses campaign in Queensland, including Rebel Dane who finished seventh in the 2014 Stradbroke which was won by Queensland bolter River Lad. But he hopes Kimochi can give him his first Sunshine State Group 1. 'The plan is she will take her place in the Stradbroke, unless we race below expectations this Saturday,' Portelli said. Gary Portelli with Craig Williams and Yulong's Sam Fairgray after Kimochi won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images 'From the time she came into work this preparation, the Stradbroke was in my mind the goal. 'We have drawn a fantastic barrier (three) in the Kingsford Smith, so she is going to get a soft run. 'That's important because going into the Stradbroke, she is not going to have a gut-buster and be trapped wide or doing work. 'She will get a nice run and accelerate in the straight, if she runs top three then I would be over the moon from a Straddy point of view.' • Maher filly making right noises for Oaks upset repeat Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes has indicated Rise At Dawn – the winner of eight from 15 starts – will take his place in the Kingsford Smith before being unleashed on the back-up in the Stradbroke. The Lindsay Park dynasty may have its best chance to crack its Stradbroke duck, with raging favourite War Machine ($3) set to be joined by Rise At Dawn ($11) in Queensland's most prestigious race. Originally published as Kimochi set for back-to-back Queensland Group 1 challenges in Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap
1News
02-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Aus The Block's 'Lambo Guy' to face trial on unlawful lottery charges
High-profile businessman Adrian Portelli will face trial on charges of conducting an unlawful lottery, over a promotion in which the major prize was a house from TV reality show The Block or AU$3 million (NZ$3.2 million) cash. Portelli, 35, of Melbourne was charged with nine counts of conducting or assisting in the conduct of an unlawful lottery in South Australia, while his business Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, which traded under the name LMCT+, was charged with 10 counts of the same offence. He appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court today via audio link for a pre-trial conference. Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal listed a trial for September 4-5. The charges, instigated by SA's Consumer and Business Services, alleged Portelli's business did not hold a licence to conduct the lotteries in SA. Portelli's company offered members subscriptions to a "rewards club" that included entries to win cars and properties. Under SA law, any trade promotion lotteries with prizes exceeding AU$5000 (NZ$5387.60) needed a licence to operate and entries must be free of charge. "The major prize for the lottery was a property situated in Gisborne in the state of Victoria, as seen on the Australian television show The Block, or a cash prize of AU$3 million ( NZ$3.2 million)," court documents stated. Winning the prize "involved an element of chance" but the defendant "did not hold a licence to conduct the lottery in South Australia". Judge Hribal said, given Portelli's legal team was travelling from interstate and the complexity of the matter, "I'll ask that it has a special listing and some priority". Prosecutors asked for "basic AVL facilities" to play videos at the trial, while defence counsel said it would call two witnesses to give evidence. Portelli gained fame as "the Lambo Guy" in 2022, after arriving at a house auction for The Block in a yellow Lamborghini. In the 2024 series of the reality show, he spent AU$15.03 million (NZ$16.19 million) to acquire all five homes on offer.
7NEWS
01-05-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Adrian Portelli headed for trial accused of running an illegal lottery in Adelaide
A high-profile Australian billionaire is set to face trial accused of illegal lottery activity over a year in South Australia. Adrian Portelli, 36, and his business Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, which trades as LMCT+, had charges brought against them by South Australia's Consumer and Business Services in 2024. Portelli has been charged with nine counts of conducting or assisting in the conduct of an unlawful lottery, while his business has been charged with 10 counts of the same offence. Consumer and Business Service SA alleges unlawful lottery activity was carried out between January 29, 2023, and May 16, 2024 through Portelli's high-profile prize giveaway business. Court documents reveal Portelli and LMCT+ are accused of operating a lottery open to South Australian residents without a licence to do so in the state. The court documents details allegedly unlawful lotteries for: a home seen on The Block in Gisborne, Victoria or a cash prize of $3,000,000 a Devil Yellow HSV VZ vehicle, valued at more than $50,000 a Toyota Landcruiser 79 Series vehicle with a Barcrusher 670c, valued about $228,000 a cash prize of $250,000 another Victorian property seen on The Block valued at approximately $2,900,000, or a cash prize of $2,500,000 a home seen on The Block in Hampton East, Victoria, or a cash prize of $2,000,000 a cash prize of $500,000 a 2022 Toyota LC79 vehicle, valued about $150,000 a Holden HSV WM Grange vehicle, valued about $40,000 a property at Coomera Waters at the Gold Coast in Queensland valued at approximately $1,300,000, or a $1,200,000 cash prize All 10 alleged unlawful lotteries 'involved an element of chance', meaning they fall under the category of trade promotion lotteries under South Australia's Lotteries Act 2019. Within hours of the charges in 2024 Portelli had posted on the LMCT+ Instagram account, writing: 'It's okay SA we still love you.' On Thursday, Portelli didn't legally have to appear in court with his lawyer speaking on his behalf, his social media placing the billionaire currently in Singapore. His lawyer didn't provide a comment to media. Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal set the matter for a two-day trial in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in September. It is expected that two witnesses will be called to give evidence on behalf of Portelli.
Perth Now
01-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Billionaire to face court over lottery
A high-profile Australian billionaire is set to face trial accused of illegal lottery activity over a year in South Australia. Adrian Portelli, 36, and his business Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, which trades as LMCT+, had charges brought against them by South Australia's Consumer and Business Services in 2024. Portelli has been charged with nine counts of conducting or assisting in the conduct of an unlawful lottery, while his business has been charged with 10 counts of the same offence. Consumer and Business Service SA alleges unlawful lottery activity was carried out between January 29, 2023, and May 16, 2024 through Portelli's high-profile prize giveaway business. Court documents reveal Portelli and LMCT+ are accused of operating a lottery open to South Australian residents without a licence to do so in the state. Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli is accused of running an illegal lottery in South Australia. Credit: Social Media. The court documents details allegedly unlawful lotteries for: a home seen on The Block in Gisborne, Victoria or a cash prize of $3,000,000 a Devil Yellow HSV VZ vehicle, valued at more than $50,000 a Toyota Landcruiser 79 Series vehicle with a Barcrusher 670c, valued about $228,000 a cash prize of $250,000 another Victorian property seen on The Block valued at approximately $2,900,000, or a cash prize of $2,500,000 a home seen on The Block in Hampton East, Victoria, or a cash prize of $2,000,000 a cash prize of $500,000 a 2022 Toyota LC79 vehicle, valued about $150,000 a Holden HSV WM Grange vehicle, valued about $40,000 a property at Coomera Waters at the Gold Coast in Queensland valued at approximately $1,300,000, or a $1,200,000 cash prize All 10 alleged unlawful lotteries 'involved an element of chance', meaning they fall under the category of trade promotion lotteries under South Australia's Lotteries Act 2019. Within hours of the charges in 2024 Portelli had posted on the LMCT+ Instagram account, writing: 'It's okay SA we still love you.' On Thursday, Portelli didn't legally have to appear in court with his lawyer speaking on his behalf, his social media placing the billionaire currently in Singapore. His lawyer didn't provide a comment to media. Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal set the matter for a two-day trial in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in September. It is expected that two witnesses will be called to give evidence on behalf of Portelli.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Billionaire 'Lambo Guy' to face trial as his lucrative 'rewards club' with thousands of subscribers across Australia is put under the spotlight
The Block billionaire Adrian Portelli will face trial on charges of conducting an unlawful lottery over a promotion in which the major prize was a house from the reality show The Block or $3million in cash. Melbourne-based Portelli, 35, is charged with nine counts of conducting or assisting in the conduct of an unlawful lottery in South Australia. His business Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, which trades under the name LMCT+, has also been charged with 10 counts of the same offence. Portelli appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday via audio link for a pre-trial conference. The charges, instigated by SA's Consumer and Business Services, allege Portelli's business did not hold a licence to conduct the lotteries in SA. Portelli's company offers members subscriptions to a 'rewards club' that includes entries to win cars and properties. Under SA law, any trade promotion lotteries with prizes exceeding $5000 need a licence to operate and entries must be free of charge. 'The major prize for the lottery was a property situated in Gisborne in the state of Victoria, as seen on the Australian television show The Block, or a cash prize of $3 million,' court documents said. Winning the prize 'involved an element of chance' but the defendant 'did not hold a licence to conduct the lottery in South Australia'. Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal said given Portelli's legal team was travelling from interstate and the complexity of the matter, 'I'll ask that it has a special listing and some priority'. Prosecutors asked for 'basic AVL facilities' to play videos at the trial, while defence counsel said it would call two witnesses to give evidence. Judge Hribal has listed a trial for September 4 to 5. If convicted on all charges, Portelli and his company could face a maximum penalty of $190,000. The high-profile businessman has denied charges of conducting an unlawful lottery. He has previously dismissed the South Australian authorities as 'cowboys' and offered to 'call it even' with them. 'It's a maximum penalty of $190,000. I'll round it up to $200,000,' he has said. Less than a week after the charges were filed against him, Portelli made headlines for giving away $150,000 worth of Coles vouchers to 1,000 Sydneysiders. And just hours after Daily Mail Australia revealed the prosecution, he held a lavish bash at his multimillion dollar penthouse in Melbourne's CBD on Thursday night. No expense was spared at the party, with the event featuring go-go dancers and famous Aussie DJ Havana Brown. Portelli made much of his fortune through LMCT+ which has more than 300,000 customers who pay a subscription fee, with options ranging from $20 to a $100 a month. Subscribers get discounts from partners such as Amazon and Elite Supplements - although the website only releases the details to people who sign up. The main attraction is the company's monthly lottery draws for cash, cars and homes. The last draw, on November 24, resulted in $1million going to one subscriber. The more a subscriber pays, the more 'accumulating entries' they're given in each draw. Portelli gained fame as the 'Lambo Guy' in 2022, after arriving at a house auction for The Block in a yellow Lamborghini. In the 2024 series of the reality show, he spent $15.03 million to acquire all five homes on offer.
