Rebel Dane narrowly missed out on a Moonee Valley Group One win in the Moir Stakes but will be back to try again in the $1 million Manikato Stakes.
The Gary Portelli-trained sprinter will be part of a star studded field for Friday night’s feature with his opposition expected to include Lankan Rupee, defending champion Buffering and emerging Sydney star Terravista.
A decision on whether boom sprinter Chautauqua takes his place is expected to be made after he works at the Valley on Tuesday.
Buffering, Lankan Rupee and Rebel Dane ran the trifecta in the Group One Moir Stakes last month with Rebel Dane powering home after settling last of the five runners.
Rebel Dane is chasing his first win since last year’s Group One Rupert Clarke Stakes.
His campaign started with a third to Sweet Idea in the Missile Stakes in August but his program had to be altered when he suffered a stone bruise and missed the Memsie Stakes and the Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Portelli said Rebel Dane was as good as ever heading into Friday’s contest.
“We just need some luck and a truly run race and you never know, we might actually win one,” Portelli said.
“I’ve watched the replay (of the Moir) a couple of times, too many times to be honest.
“It’s a little bit hard to take every time you watch it.
“It was just no fault of anyone. It was just one of those racing situations where the leader (Buffering) had all the luck and we didn’t have much at all.”
Terravista is favourite at $3 ahead of Chautauqua and Lankan Rupee at $3.80 with Buffering at $5.50 and Rebel Dane at $7.50.
The Gary Moore-trained Not Listenin’tome has been paid up as a late entry and is at $9 with acceptances to be taken on Tuesday.
