Talented colt Rebel Dane impressed onlookers with a strong piece of work at Warwick Farm this morning and according to trainer Gary Portelli is in excellent condition heading into the 2014 All Aged Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Rebel Dane will be chasing his second win at Group 1 level in the 2014 All Aged Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Rebel Dane returned to the races, after a lengthy stint in the spelling paddock, in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 12 and ran home strongly to finish second behind Lankan Rupee.
Portelli believes that Rebel Dane has taken plenty of benefit out of his first-up run in the T.J. Smith Stakes and told TVN that he was happy with the effort of the California Dane entire at trackwork this morning.
“He went through the 1000m in about 1min 6secs and quickened up to run his last 400 metres in 23.3secs and he was never out of second gear,” Portelli said.
“It was perfect work, the riders didn’t over do it, he didn’t leave it on the track and he did enough to make sure he is fit enough for Saturday.”
Rebel Dane came from slightly worse than midfield to finish two lengths behind Lankan Rupee in the T.J. Smith Stakes, but Portelli is worried that the four-year-old may have to be ridden closer to the lead in the 2014 All Aged Stakes on Saturday after Australian Turf Club officials announced that the rail would be pushed out to the nine metre mark.
“I just hope we don’t have to get to a situation where we are changing tactics in a Group 1 race to suit the bias,” Portelli said.
“I hope that with the rail moving out that far that the track doesn’t become leaderish.
“I would have preferred if they moved it back in to the true and let the jockeys work it out.”
The 2014 All Aged Stakes is set to include a strong field after 16 talented sprinters were included in the nominations for the Group 1 event.
Doncaster Mile placegetter Weary is a confirmed starter in the All Aged Stakes field, while Japanese mare Hana’s Gold and David Payne-trained Lilliburlero will also take their place in the field for the $400,000 event.
Joe Pride is set to have The Galaxy winner Tiger Tees and consistent mare Steps In Time in the race and Snitzerland will contest the event as long as the track is not downgraded in the lead-up to the race.
