Rebel Raider returns in outstanding fashion

Having only had three starts in the past 12 months due to injury, dual G1 Derby-winning Reset five-year-old Rebel Raider resumed from a spell to take the G3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville with ease.

Jumping from the outside barrier, the Leon Macdonald-trained galloper settled towards the rear of the field, while favoured runner Periduki set up a solid pace upfront. As the field headed for home and the leaders were under pressure, jockey Claire Lindop let Rebel Raider surge down the outside for a one-and-three-quarter length victory.

Winner of the G1 VRC Derby as a three-year-old where he defeated Whobegotyou (Street Cry), Rebel Raider was the nominal favourite for last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup before injury ended his spring. Heading down the same path this year, Rebel Raider has surely enhanced his prospects after winning first up over the 1200m journey.

Bred by Harry Perks and Trevor Robertson, Rebel Raider is out of the G1-placed Dehere mare Picholine, who is also the dam of G3 winner Shamoline Warrior (Shamardal) and the impressive recent winner Sultah (Exceed And Excel).

With three foals to race, all winners, Picholine is quickly establishing herself as a broodmare of the highest calibre. Currently in foal, carrying a full-relation to Rebel Raider, Picholine has been booked into leading third-season sire Lonhro for the upcoming breeding season.

Earlier in the day Commands gelding Soul finished a gallant second in the Listed Vain Stakes, while Predatory Pricer (Street Cry) indicated a strong spring campaign was on the cards with a long head second in the J.J. Liston Stakes.

Standing at Darley’s Northwood Park, Reset will stand the upcoming season at $22,000 including GST.