2017 Queensland Derby Bid for Rockstar Rebel

May 25, 2017

2017 Queensland Derby Bid for Rockstar Rebel

Darren Weir is hoping his progressive colt Rockstar Rebel has done enough to make the Queensland Derby 2017 field next month after the well-bred three-year-old enjoyed a Ballarat win on Wednesday.

Rockstar Rebel

Jockey Brad Rawiller believes Rockstar Rebel will be competitive in the 2017 Queensland Derby should he make the field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

A son of upset 2008 Victoria Derby winner Rebel Raider, Rockstar Rebel saluted for the punters at the midweek meet scoring a three-quarter length victory in a Benchmark 70 over 2200m at his home track yesterday.

Ridden by Brad Rawiller, the short-priced favourite did his best work in the closing stages running down the older stayers in the dying metres of the race beating home Western Kingdom (2nd) and The Dominator (3rd) in a time of 2 minutes 23.14 seconds.

The galloper has now won two of his 10 career starts but is as yet untested in Group company having missed out on a run in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) as the race’s first emergency earlier in the month.

That hasn’t stopped champion Victorian trainer Weir, who subsequently won the South Australian Derby with Volatile Mix in an upset at Morphettville on May 13, setting the bar high for the young stayer this season.

Rockstar Rebel is in the mix for the $600,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) run at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Stradbroke Handicap Day, Saturday June 10.

Weir’s stable representative Darryn Murphy told the media post-win on Wednesday that the Ballarat victory was an important step towards the Queensland Derby for the up-and-comer.

“He [Brad Rawiller] gave himself a bit of room and that was the impressive part because he didn’t try to box seat or sit too close, he was patient and the run came for him,” Murphy said.

“It was great for the horse to win this race, he’ll get a little bit of confidence with the Queensland Derby the aim going forward.

“He’ll come on from that.”

Rawiller rode the Peter Moody-trained Brambles to victory in the 2012 Queensland Derby and rated Rockstar Rebel as a genuine hope looking ahead to the mile and a half Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival feature this season.

“It was good to see him go through the line like he did,” Rawiller said on Wednesday.

“Darren was very confident that he’d run well if he got into the Adelaide [SA] Derby and it’s shown with the way he’s come on from that last run to today.

“With this win behind him he can hopefully go onto the Queensland Derby and I’m sure he’ll be competitive in the race.”

The traditional Queensland Derby lead-up runs at the Eagle Farm track this weekend with a host of smart three-year-olds facing off in the $150,000 Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) including the Kiwi-trained Rough Habit Plate winner Shocking Luck.

All-in Queensland Derby odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Shocking Luck at $5 for the win, while Rockstar Rebel sits as a $17 shot in the futures markets.

To check out all the winter racing odds and pre-field Queensland Derby betting head to Ladbrokes.com.au now.

 

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Z...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pr...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

Pride Of Jenni was enormous running her rivals ragged with a blistering...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results:...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Dublin Down is into Saturday week’s 2024 Golden Slipper field after a gutsy...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results:...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

Celestial Legend put the writing on the wall for a huge year ahead with the...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Top honours in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes results at Royal Randwick went to...

Race Results

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Zougotcha Dives Late to Salute

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Race Previews

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Magic Night Winner Drifting Firms in Golden Slipper 2024 Betting

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

Fields & Form

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

2024 Randwick Guineas Field & Odds Update: Militarize Set to Strike Second-Up