Rebel Dane will round off his Spring return in the Group 2 $175,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday with a solid gallop at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning.
Rebel Dane kicks off his Spring campiagn in the Missile Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer Gary Portelli will give Rebel Dane one more hit out this week to top him off after galloping in between races at Rosehill last Saturday and even though new rider Blake Shinn didn’t let the five year old have full throttle, everyone was happy with the workout.
“He probably went a little slower than we wanted but he was only there to have a look around,’’ Portelli told The Daily Telegraph.
“Blake actually said to me the horse felt so strong he was worried that if he slipped him a bit of rein he would have gone too fast.
“The point of the exercise was to take him to the races and use some of that nervous energy.
“He was a bit fired up for the gallop but that will knock the edge off him so he will use that energy in the race rather than before it.’’
Rebel Dane’s preparation also included an 800m barrier trial third at Warwick Farm on July 25 which left Portelli a little bit disappointed at the time.
But the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner has improved fitness wise since and Portelli is comfortable with his progress as he heads towards Saturday.
“I was a little disappointed with his trial,’’ Portelli said.
“He went up to them but didn’t finish it off.
“I’ve had him checked over thoroughly since and the horse is fine.
“He was just ‘fat’ inside but we are getting there now.’’
“He may still have a little left in him first-up but you want them to going to a 1200m race.’’
The Missile Stakes is shaping up as a good Spring preview with premiership winning trainer Chris Waller’s entries likely to include triple Group 1 winner Boban, Doncaster Mile placegetter Weary, and Hawkspur.
Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride could have Laser Hawk and the Galaxy winner Tiger Tees, Sweet Idea from the Gai Waterhouse and Victorian Oaks winner Kirramosa are also likely to be among the nominations.
After Rebel Dane runs in the Missile Stakes, Portelli will head to Melbourne and prepare the five year old for the Group 1 $400,000 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30.
The 1400m weight for age Memsie Stakes will suit Rebel Dane perfectly being over the same course and distance as his first Group 1 win in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
