Randwick Guineas contender Rebel Dane will be the star of the show for Gary Portelli on Saturday but his expectations are high for his lesser-hyped runners at Warwick Farm.
Rebel Dane is equal favourite with Proisir for the Group One Guineas (1600m) on the back of his close second to star colt Pierro last Saturday week.
Rebel Dane - Photo by Steve Hart
His trainer is also looking for good performances from Golden Slipper aspirant All The Talk in the Skyline Stakes, Mickelburg in the Wenona Girl and Single Style in the Challenge Stakes.
The market suggests three-year-old Single Style is out of her depth in the Group Two Challenge (1000m) against top-line sprinters Hay List, Atomic Force and Temple Of Boom and company.
Her trainer has put her two-start spring campaign down as a bad experience for both the filly and her connections and is starting afresh.
“She was a very angry horse in the spring,” Portelli said.
“She lost it in the birdcage both times before she raced. She just didn’t want to be there so we pulled up stumps and gave her a break.
“I’m very happy with how she’s come back. She is relaxed and I want to see her getting back and finishing off.
“There is no chance she will be going forward, especially against this field.
“The race fits in as a lead-up to the PJ Bell in a couple of weeks and then we will look at getting her up hopefully to a mile.”
All The Talk announced himself to Portelli as a Golden Slipper hopeful with a win on December 1 at his second start.
But he let favourite backers down when he returned on February 9 when second to Va Pensiero over 1000 metres then ran a steady race on a heavy track in the Silver Slipper last Saturday week.
“I’m happy with him,” Portelli said. “But we’ll wait and see what happens regarding the Slipper.”
On-pace runner Mickelberg mixes her form and was involved in interference during the Triscay Stakes.
“What you see is what you get with her,” Portelli said.
“She gets out and gets running and she’s tough.
“Hopefully she gets better luck this time.”
As for Rebel Dane?
“I couldn’t be happier,” his trainer said.
