Trainer Gary Portelli is anticipating that two reasonably priced purchases, both progeny of his dual Group 1 victor Rebel Dane, will make a significant impact at Royal Randwick this coming Saturday.
Portelli’s promising three-year-old colt, So Rebellious, is slated to compete in the Midway Handicap over 1600 metres, while the two-year-old gelding, Rebel Shield, is entered for the opening race, the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1400m).
In an era where yearlings frequently fetch prices exceeding $1 million, Portelli acquired So Rebellious for just $30,000 and Rebel Shield for $40,000 as yearlings.
Both horses are sired by Rebel Dane, the accomplished sprinter whom Portelli trained to victory in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on two occasions.
Rebel Dane currently stands at the renowned Widden Stud in the Hunter Valley, and Portelli has previously trained the best of the stallion’s offspring, the exceptional Fireburn, who triumphed in the 2022 Golden Slipper.
So Rebellious, who has secured one win in a Canterbury maiden from his eleven starts, returned to racing with an eighth-place finish behind Tarzing at Rosehill late last month. Portelli insists this performance was far more encouraging than the finishing position suggests.
“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 is currently considered an outsider in the early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Midway Handicap at $16, trailing behind Perfect Justice, who is the $4.40 favourite.
Rebel Shield made his debut at the Warwick Farm midweek races towards the end of last month. He finished strongly to come fourth behind the highly-touted colt Omolong over 1100 metres.
Omolong has since confirmed its strong form by winning a Saturday grade race at Rosehill and is already being discussed as a potential contender for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington in the spring.
Portelli holds Rebel Shield in high esteem heading into the Randwick meeting, where he is priced at $10 in early betting, behind the equal favourites Rumdabar and Defensemen at $3.70.
“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 anticipates an improved showing from the stable’s other Randwick contender, Kintyre ($26), in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m).
Kintyre, a sibling to Fireburn, has not yet shown his best form in three starts this preparation but has performed well in trials since his last-start finish at the back of the field at Randwick.
Considering the strong form of Rebel Shield, betting markets on Australian betting sites might offer competitive odds for this promising gelding.
