He won eight races and over $2.4 million for trainer Gary Portelli, and now Rebel Dane is gifting the Warwick Farm conditioner even further riches in the form of his two-year-old progeny Fireburn ($9).
The daughter of the dual Group 1 winner was too strong on the line in the Ranvet Handicap at Kensington defeating Revolutionary Miss ($61) by a short neck with Pantonario ($4.80) a further short head away in third.
Whilst it wasn’t a dominant victory, Portelli saw a lot of similarities between Fireburn and her well-performed sire.
“It’s like a proud father situation right now having Rebel Dane sire such a promising filly at two,” Portelli said.
“She’s got a lot of Dad in her. I remember all of his wins were only by a head on so many occasions including the Manikato and Sir Rupert Clarke, but he knew where the line was.
“I just had this gut feeling at the 200m when I saw she had a couple to run down that she was going to do it, because she applies herself.”
Given a peach of a steer by apprentice Tyler Schiller, Portelli saw his claim as playing a major role in the finish.
“It was a big help too that 3kg turnaround on the line, she’s not the biggest of fillies but she’s got a massive heart,” Portelli said.
“I came here pretty confident but just had to see if the track was going to play leaderish, but she’s come from four or five off them and got the job done.”
As to what’s next for his promising filly, Portelli will have to let the dust settle and won’t be making any decisions on race day.
“We’ll have to sit down and work out what we want to do with her because I think she’s going places,” Portelli said.
“She’s got a massive stride and I can’t wait to see when she gets over a little bit further as well later on.
“She might be a better horse in the autumn carnival yet, but we’ll see how she comes through it.”
