Eye Of The Needle is another horse that had lost his way and had come off an unsuccessful, by his standards, three-start preparation. Keith Dryden then freshened him up, and he resumed in a benchmark 69 1200m race in Canberra.
Local apprentice, Kayla Cross, rode him and rated him perfectly in front, and he kept going to win by 1.3 lengths. That was his sixth career victory from 22 starts, and we hope he can add to that this preparation.
Eye Of The Needle Saluting at Canberra
One of the biggest-sized trophies in the south-east of NSW is for the Defence Force Cup, which is run at Queanbeyan. Mass Exodus won the race a couple of years ago, and this year it was Reigning Rhythm’s turn.
Reigning Rhythm was having his seventh start for the preparation, and we were disappointed that he had not added to his winning record as he won three races in the south-east last preparation. Two placings out of his six starts indicated that he was not far off a win, and on this occasion, in a small field, jockey Kevin Sweeney had settled him back in last place.
With a slow tempo he whipped around the field to take the lead before the corner and kept going strongly to win the Cup by a length and a half.
One win over a staying distance pretty well pays for his preparation as he collected $13,200, including the BOBS Extra bonus.
It was very pleasing to see Beckon return to the winners stall with a comprehensive victory at the ATC meeting at Gosford this afternoon, in what was his first Sydney outing.
Trainer Peter Moody decided to try something different to snap Beckon out of his seeming lethargy as he has shown much more ability than that in the past.
After working him the reverse way of going he decided to bring him to Sydney for a metropolitan midweek race.
Back to 1200m in what was a solid tempo, jockey Jason Parr had him perfectly poised behind the two leaders, and he pulled out at the right time in the straight and then did the job well to come away for a one-length victory from a fast-finishing field.
After winning his first two career starts Beckon has lost his way somewhat but it is good to see him back in the winners’ circle for his second metropolitan victory from ten career starts.
While we are not getting carried away with his upside at this stage, he will stay in Sydney and we will look for further suitable races over sprint distances.
REBEL DANE continued on his winning way at Rosehill for his third win in as many starts.
This most recent win, however, was quite remarkable.
Rebel Dane was burdened with 59kgs, when no horses rated higher than he nominated for the race, and Jason Collett took the ride again.
After drawing well and having a good run in transit as favourite, which was understandable following his first two impressive wins, Rebel Dane was suddenly in big trouble when he was hemmed in a pocket on the fence and had a real problem getting out.
Jason Collett aggressively shouldered his way out, and Rebel Dane clipped heels, almost fell, lost momentum, and Specific Choice had come from behind Rebel Dane and gone past him to have a length lead.
Rebel Dane was able to pick himself up from a standing start with 59kgs and run the other horse down in what was quite remarkable, and drew rave reports from everyone watching.
It was a brave effort, and a well-celebrated win, and certainly one that almost got away!
The win took Rebel Dane’s earnings to $167,380 from his three career starts, and $50,000 of that are BOBS bonuses.
Rebel Dane is obviously a tremendously exciting horse and he will now go to the paddock for a break before returning where we hope that he can continue the excitement into his next preparation.
We will test the water with him, and if he is up to the standard we will chase the Group 1 Randwick Guineas on Saturday 16 March with him.
Off the Canvas!! Rebel Dane three for three.
Rebel Dane’s happy owners
Exciting 3yo Colt Rebel Dane made it two wins from two starts when winning at Rosehill this afternoon. Today’s event was over 1400m, and Rebel Dane had no problems rising to the challenge of Saturday grade, winning with authority.
Once again ridden by Jason Collett, who rode him at his first start, he was well-placed in transit, and on straightening he pulled to the outside so he had clear running and mowed down the leaders to come away for an impressive victory.
Trainer, Gary Portelli, will now decide if Rebel Dane has one more start this preparation or if he will be put away with an Autmn program in mind.
Rebel Dane wins his second start with authority