Rebel Raider returns to scene of triumph

Thu 2 Sep

Rebel Raider makes his first appearance at Flemington since his longshot Victoria Derby win nearly two years ago and trainer Leon Macdonald is expecting a forward showing from him on Saturday.

Macdonald admitted he was surprised the Reset five-year-old was able to win first-up in the Group Three Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville last month and expressed a slight concern about him at 1600m against top weight-for-age company in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

"We think he'll perform very well, but he's probably never performed at a mile (1600m) against top-class company," Macdonald, who co-trains the horse with his son-in-law Andrew Gluyas, said.

"In saying that he's probably never performed at 1200 metres against A-grade company either.

"His first-up win really surprised me. He was going really, really well but he'd never been competitive at 1200 metres before.

"I must say it wasn't a vintage Spring Stakes, I've seen hard ones, but he blew them away."

The slow (6) track rating will hold no fears for Rebel Raider who is unbeaten in two slow track starts - in the 2009 SA Derby (2500m), which he won by four lengths, and the Spring Stakes. - aap

Image by aap