Rebel Soldier will make his debut in Sydney this weekend

Trainer David Hayes is preparing to debut Rebel Soldier in Sydney this weekend for the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes.

The four-year-old gelding, who had his first Australian start in February this year, has been nominated to compete in the Group 1 The Metropolitan and the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup later this spring.

Hayes believes Rebel Soldier shares a number of qualities with his 2006 The Metropolitan and Caulfield Cup winner Tawqeet.

“He reminds me a lot of Tawqeet,” Hayes said.

“Just his run in that 1700-metre race the other day I thought it was very much like him.

“I liked his last furlong (200m), he ran as good a sectional as anything in the race but just didn’t feature.”

The trainer was encouraged by Rebel Soldier’s eighth place finish at Caulfield last start and believes the gelding has what it takes to be competitive on Saturday.

“I thought his last run was encouraging and I would think over 2000 (metres) he would be competitive if he gets a nice run from the ordinary barrier,” Hayes said.

“I’m just running him up there to have a look from a Metropolitan angle.

“He’s in everything so he’s due to step up in one of these races if he’s going to be a major player.”

Rebel Soldier has won three of his eight race starts, including the Group 3 Gordon Stakes in England last July.