Sydney’s latest sprinting sensation Rebel Dane is facing another hurdle on his quest for Group 1 glory when he lines up in the Group 3 $150,000 Bobby Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Rebel Dane with Glen Boss winning the Show County Quality at Warwick Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.
Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli admits that Rebel Dane is facing his toughest test to date taking on the Flemington straight course but is confident he will come through with flying colours.
“It is always a daunting task for most horses having their first start down the straight but with this fellow it probably works in his favour,” Portelli told The Daily Telegraph.
“When he goes around a bend, it is a worry for him because he scrambles slightly then he opens up in the straight.
“He is going to need a bit of luck in this big field but we couldn’t be happier with the horse.”
Rebel Dane is lining up with eighteen other runners down the famous Flemington straight and Portelli believes whoever comes up trumps will have a bright Spring Carnival.
“Whatever wins this race will be the real deal,” Portelli said.
“This will tell us where we are at with Rebel Dane, it will give us a guide as to where we are going with him this spring.”
Rebel Dane will be guided by Melbourne’s premiership winning jockey Glen Boss who cemented his Spring engagement on the four year old when he travelled to Sydney two weeks ago to steer him to an effortless win in the Group 3 $125,000 Show County Quality (1200m) at Warwick Farm.
Boss has no doubt that Rebel Dane is a potential Group 1 winner and was full of praise for the California Dane stallion after the Warwick Farm win.
“I’m pretty confident that he has a Group 1 in him,” Boss said.
“He’s got that essential turn of foot that good Group 1 sprinters have and he’s just got the great attitude. He’s a beautiful colt.”
Rebel Dane has been posted the $2.60 dominant favourite for the Bobby Lewis while the next three horses in the betting have all won down the Flemington straight.
Adamantium, who was a beaten favourite first up when seventh in the Listed $120,000 1print.com.au Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on August 24, is the nearest in the betting at $7.50.
The Anthony Cummings trained Fontelina is resuming and was a first up Flemington straight course winner last Spring, is a $10 chance while Tony Gollan’s Group 1 Galaxy winner Temple Of Boom is marked at $11.
