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Raider back at scene of biggest triumph

Thursday 2 September 2010
By Mark Ryan

Rebel Raider makes his first appearance at Flemington since his longshot Victoria Derby win nearly two years ago and trainer Leon Macdonald is expecting a forward showing from him on Saturday.

Macdonald admitted he was surprised the Reset five-year-old was able to win first-up in the Group Three Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville last month and expressed a slight concern about him at 1600m against top weight-for-age company in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

"We think he'll perform very well, but he's probably never performed at a mile (1600m) against top-class company," Macdonald, who co-trains the horse with his son-in-law Andrew Gluyas, said.

"In saying that he's probably never performed at 1200 metres against A-grade company either.

"His first-up win really surprised me. He was going really, really well but he'd never been competitive at 1200 metres before.

"I must say it wasn't a vintage Spring Stakes, I've seen hard ones, but he blew them away."

The slow (6) track rating will hold no fears for Rebel Raider who is unbeaten in two slow track starts - in the 2009 SA Derby (2500m), which he won by four lengths, and the Spring Stakes.

"I don't think the ground is any worry to him. I'm happy with the horse, he's pretty fit," Macdonald said.

"My intention was to run him in the Penny Edition Stakes last Saturday and back him up in the Makybe Diva, but he went so well first-up and I thought he was where we wanted him so there was no need to run him last week."

At this stage Macdonald is aiming Rebel Raider towards the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double - he received 55.5kg in both races - but if he showed outstanding lead-up form the Cox Plate could come onto the radar.

"After Saturday he'll go to the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington and then the Caulfield Cup," Macdonald said.

"If his form was outstanding I suppose he could go to the Cox Plate and not risk a (Melbourne Cup) penalty in the Caulfield Cup."

Regular rider Clare Lindop is again aboard Rebel Raider who drew well in barrier seven in the field of 16 plus three emergencies.

Macdonald said three-time Group One winner Danleigh, from the strong Chris Waller stable at Rosehill, and the Mick Price-trained dual Group One winner Heart Of Dreams looked the hardest to beat on Saturday.

Danleigh, placed behind stablemates Metal Bender and Triple Honour in the Group Two Warwick Farm Stakes (1400m) at his second run in last month, is $3.20 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Heart of Dreams and last year's winner Vigor at $5.50.

Speed Gifted and Monaco Consul are at $8.50 with Rebel Raider, second emergency Fanjura and third reserve Ghostmilk at $9.