An opportunity to run exclusively against his own age has resulted in two-year-old Rebel Royal bypassing a midweek assignment for a Saturday grade race at Randwick.
The Tulloch Lodge youngster was scratched from Warwick Farm on Wednesday – the event won by his year-older stablemate Lady Invictus – in preference for the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1100m).
While it wasn’t a straightforward call, co-trainer Adrian Bott said keeping Rebel Royal to his own age group for now was the best decision.
“I had him in at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, which he was scratched from,” Bott said.
“He was against the older horses having his first start as a two-year-old, and we felt he was better placed keeping him against his own age group, even though there are a couple more experienced than him on Saturday.
“His trials have been really encouraging, and he’s shown nice potential in those. He was tested in his latest one and responded well, so there’s some nice upside with him.”
By young stallion Wild Ruler, Rebel Royal showed natural speed in his most recent trial and from an awkward draw in barrier 10, Bott is keen for the colt to be given a positive ride.
“We naturally try to teach them that tactical speed if they’ve got it, and he does,” Bott said.
“We will look to utilise it if we can on Saturday.
“We don’t have too many options (from the draw), and he will probably be a better horse rolling forward rather than being negative.”
Rebel Royal will have 12 rivals, headed by Max Lees Classic winner Seeiaye, Woodlands Stakes placegetter Lady Catalina and smart debut winner Lord Horatio.
Bott said his youngster hadn’t raced earlier in the season due to continued growth spurts and while he expected him to keep developing, he was equally adamant Rebel Royal was ready for the races.
“He is quite a big horse, and he has gone through different growth spurts at various stages of the preparation which meant having to give him time, tip him out, and let him keep filling out and furnishing,” he said.
“He still needs to furnish further, but he’s ready to start to get going now.
“He is giving away race experience to some promising types, but it’s a nice starting point and we’re expecting a competitive run.”
In a light afternoon for the stable, the resuming Collect Your Cash will be their only other Randwick runner in the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1600m) and while he has a tough draw in 19, he is undefeated in three first-up runs.
“He’s got a very good fresh record, so we were mindful of that, and tried to find a good target for him,” Bott said.
“He’s had a nice long build up . . . it looks to be a nice race for him.”