Rebel Dane draws the rails in Premiere Stakes

Rejuvenated sprinter Rebel Dane has drawn the rails as he attempts to score back to back Group 2 wins in the $300,000 G1X.com.au Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Rebel Dane has drawn the rails in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Rebel Dane has drawn the rails in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Rebel Dane resumed from a spell and scored his first win for almost two years when he overpowered Ball Of Muscle late in the Group 2 $200,000 The Bowermans Office Furniture Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on September 19.

Trainer Gary Portelli is expecting his stable star to continue his new found winning form now that he has shown that he has recovered from a throat operation.

“This preparation now he’s had his throat tied back I think we might have a really big one ahead of us,” Portelli said.

Prior to his victory in The Shorts, Rebel Dane was last in the winner’s circle back September of 2013 when he took out the Group 1 $400,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Brenton Avdulla was having his first race ride on Rebel Dane in The Shorts and is aboard the California Dane stallion again in the nine horse Premiere Stakes field.

Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride will saddle up three runners in the Premiere Stakes with Group 1 winners Terravista and Tiger Tees as well as the promising Rock Sturdy.

Group 1 Darley Classic winner Terravista is having his first start since running twelfth to Dissident in the Group 1 $400,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

But Terravista looks to be back to his best with recent wins in two Warwick Farm barrier trials.

The six year old chestnut has drawn the outside of the small field and jockey Hugh Bowman will be looking to get some cover midfield in the early and middle stages.

Tiger Tees was in the Group 1 winner’s stall after scoring a narrow victory in the 2014 $400,000 Bloodstock.com.au Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill and is also resuming from a short break, coming up with barrier seven.

The eight year old was sent for a rest after running tenth of ten in the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 6.

Rocky Sturdy is fitter for one run from a spell and Jason Collett rides again and is certain to give him  a cosy run from gate four.

Peter and Paul Snowden will saddle up two in the Premiere Stakes, on pace runners Hot Snitzel, barrier six, and That’s A Good Idea, barrier eight.

Hot Snitzel was able to claim a surprise Group 1 prize during the Brisbane Winter Carnival when he won the Group 1 $500,000 UBET BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 9.

The Snitzel seven year old has had one run back from a spell for a fourth to Rebel Dane in The Shorts.

Stablemate That’s A Good Idea hasn’t raced since finishing second to Ball Of Muscle in the Group 2 $175,000 Magic Millions QTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 30 but has performed fairly in two recent Warwick Farm barrier trials for a second and a third.

Bring Me The Maid (barrier 2), Generalife (barrier 5) and Famous Seamus (barrier 3) make up the rest of the Premiere Stakes field.

 

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.