Tag: Rebel Dane

Darley Classic Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The $1million Darley Classic looks the pick of the weekend action at the Spring Carnival with a fascinating clash of some of the top sprinters in the world.

The International flavour is due to the surprise raid by Ireland’s Slade Power, officially the top six-furlong  sprinter in Europe. There has been quite an agitated debate going on over the past week about the loading procedure for this race and whether or not Slade Power should be allowed to go in last.

The Australian authorities have stuck rigidly by the book and insisted that no special allowances can be made. At one point it seemed that the horse may even be withdrawn but some sort of compromise appears to have been reached. Neither side has admitted to backing down so let’s hope that it goes smoothly. Slade Power can get upset in the stalls and is usually loaded last in Europe.

Assuming he gets out of the gates without a problem, he then has to face a turning track and some of the fastest horses on the planet. The bookmakers in the UK have him at around 4-1 while he is almost twice those odds in Australia. I fear that the Australian odds may be closer the mark as he has some seriously good horses in opposition.

Lankan Rupee had to overcome a wide draw to win the Manikato Stakes last time, holding off the chasing pack in a bunch finish. Buffering had previously beaten Lankan Rupee but the places were reversed here using some bold early tactics to get across to the lead. The unluckiest horse of all appeared to be Rebel Dane who flew home in fourth, the second time running that he has finished fast but to no avail. Craig Williams will be hoping it is third time lucky but don’t expect to see him until very late on.

Lankan Rupee was restoring his reputation as the world’s leading sprinter in the Manikato Stakes but he faces a new challenger in the flying grey Chautauqua. This horse has been prepared by Team Hawkes and looked a superstar in the making when bolting up by four lengths in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes. It is difficult to know how that form matches up to the Manikato but he was on a tight rein with two furlongs to run and that is a rare sight in a six-furlong sprint at Group  level.

Chautauqua @6-4 Sportsbet

Rebel Dane @20-1 Sportsbet (each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3)

Manikato Stakes Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

As well as the Cox Plate, Moonee Valley also stages the $1million Manikato Stakes this weekend with twelve horses set to go to post on Friday evening. The race looks like a virtual re-run of the Moir Stakes with the first four home back in action.

The seven-year-old Buffering beat Lankan Rupee by a short-head with Rebel Dane the same distance away in third. Angelic Light was just three-quarters of a length away in fourth in a blanket finish.

Trainer Robert Heathcote expressed his satisfaction at the draw on Tuesday with Buffering in barrier four while his main market rivals are on his outside. Lankan Rupee will break from barrier nine with Terravista in seven. Terravista was a comfortable two length winner of the Group 2 The Shorts  last time out but is taking a rise in class. He also came from off the pace last time so it will be interesting to see if he can get to a fast-starter like Buffering.

The bookmakers surprisingly make Terravista the early favourite with Lankan Rupee also preferred to Buffering in the early exchanges. Lankan Rupee was heralded as the next big Aussie superstar after winning three Group 1 races on the bounce. He beat Rebel Dane and Buffering with some ease in the TJ Smith Stakes but has struggled to recapture that form.

He was a 1-5 favourite on his return from a lengthy absence when beaten by Angelic Light here in September. That defeat was blamed on being a little ring-rusty and he was confidently expected to atone last time. Craig Newitt appeared comfortable tracking Buffering into the home turn, taking a peek to his outside to see where any possible danger might come from. Once let down, he did not find the acceleration that had been expected and it was Rebel Dane that finished the stronger in third.

Connections were boosted by a brilliant track gallop at Caulfield on Saturday morning but a wide draw must be a concern. He broke from Buffering’s inside last time but allowed the winner to take the lead. Heathcote does not believe that even Lankan Rupee has the pace to cross Buffering but Newitt will be under pressure to play his cards earlier this time. Rebel Dane must again have solid place claims but he does not get his head in front very often these days. He is drawn alongside Buffering and Craig Williams will try not to give him too much rope.

Buffering @6.00 Sportsbet*

*Sportsbet Special Offer – stakes refunded on your first bet on Manikato Stakes if your horse finishes second (up to $100)