Winner: Rebel Raider (Reset-Picholine)
Race: SAJC Spring Stakes G1 (1200m)
Sold for: $150,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mill Park (As Agent)
Buyer: Leon Macdonald
Earnings: $1,393,040
Owner(s): BH Perks, TJ Robertson, RB Fairclough, Dr PC Goel, BR Broomhead, JH Knox, JF Naffine, CB Taylor & Slainte Racing Syndicate
Trainer: Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas (Morphettville)
Dual Derby winner Rebel Raider showed he was on track for a lucrative spring campaign with a stunning first up win in the Group Three Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville today.
Ridden off the speed, as expected, by regular rider Clare Lindop, Rebel Raider was able to unwind in the straight and race clear for a length and three quarter win.
The five-year-old hadn’t raced since finishing fifth in the CS Hayes Memorial Cup – a short autumn campaign after missing last year’s spring carnival through injury.
Lindop, who’d ridden the son of Reset to his wins in both the Victorian and South Australia Derbies, was delighted to see one of her favourite horses back to his best.
“I was a little bit surprised I guess,” Lindop said. “But I did give him a good chance – particularly when the field dropped away at acceptance time.”
“He’d been working well and I think he’s better now than he has been for a couple of years.”
“Obviously he’s had his share of problems so it was great to see him perform like he did today.”
Lindop said co-trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas would wait a few days at least to see where their star will race next.
“I know that the Penny Edition in Adelaide was always on the agenda – but Leon and Andrew will see how he pulls up – he might even wait three weeks between runs and head to the Makybe Diva Stakes.”
A graduate of Mill Park in South Australia, Rebel Raider was purchased by Macdonald for $150,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The outstanding galloper has won six of his 19 starts and earned his connections over $1.393 million.
Five of Rebel Raider’s wins have been at stakes level.
By Zabeel’s unbeaten sire son Reset he is one of three winners, from three runners, for the Dehere mare Picholine.
A winner in Brisbane and Sydney, Picholine was second in a Group One Flight Stakes and third in a Group Three Spring Stakes at Newcastle.
As well as Rebel Raider, Picholine has produced the Group Three Norman Robinson Stakes winner Shamoline Warrior.
Further back it the same family as Queensland Oaks winner A Little Kiss and Hong Kong superstar Able One.
Rebel Raider’s sire Reset has been represented by no fewer than 121 winners including fellow stakes winners Set for Fame, Saxford, Likefatherlikeson and Moulin Lady.
PICS – Jenny Barnes.
