Trainer Gary Portelli is anticipating that two bargain buys, both descendants of his dual Group 1 champion Rebel Dane, will make their presence felt at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Portelli’s improving three-year-old colt, So Rebellious, is scheduled to compete in the Midway Handicap (1600m), while the two-year-old gelding, Rebel Shield, is entered for the opener, the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1400m).
In an era where yearlings often exceed $1 million, Portelli secured So Rebellious for a modest $30,000 and Rebel Shield for $40,000 as yearlings.
Both are progeny of Rebel Dane, the talented sprinter Portelli trained to win the Manikato Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Group 1 level twice.
Rebel Dane stands at the esteemed Widden Stud in the Hunter Valley, and Portelli has trained the best of the stallion’s offspring to date, the outstanding Fireburn, who won the 2022 Golden Slipper.
So Rebellious, a winner of a Canterbury maiden from 11 starts, resumed with an eighth-place finish behind Tarzing at Rosehill late last month, a run that Portelli asserts is much better than it reads on paper.
“This horse has come on leaps and bounds since his last campaign,” Portelli told Racing And Sports. “I thought it was a really nice run first-up and I expect him to run a hell of a race on Saturday.”
So Rebellious might be overlooked in early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Midway Handicap at $16, behind Perfect Justice, the $4.40 favourite.
Rebel Shield made his debut at the Warwick Farm midweek races late last month, finishing nicely to secure fourth place behind boom colt Omolong over 1100m.
Omolong has since confirmed its form by winning at Rosehill in Saturday grade and is already being spoken about as a possible Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes contender during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington in the spring.
Portelli holds Rebel Shield in high regard heading into Randwick, where he is rated $10 in early betting behind $3.70 equal favourites Rumdabar and Defensemen.
“I like him a lot,” Portelli said of Rebel Shield. “He has a good finish on him and going to 1400m is absolutely perfect for him.”
Portelli is anticipating an improved performance from the stable’s other Randwick runner, Kintyre ($26), in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m).
Kintyre, a half-brother to Fireburn, has not been sighted in three runs back this preparation but has trialled well since finishing down the track at Randwick last start.
Check out the latest online bookmakers for the best odds on Rebel Shield’s chances in the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap.
