Rebel Raider will begin stud duties at his new home this week

The six-year-old Reset stallion was originally sent into retirement in the spring of last year, but was bought back to the track after suitable stud arrangements could not be found.

Running a promising first-up fourth to Uxorious in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on August 6, Rebel Raider was then scratched from the Listed Penny Edition Stakes on August 20 after co-trainer Leon Macdonald had concerns over his fitness.

Scans revealed Rebel Raider had retriggered a former injury, a broken ligament away from the sesamoid ruling out a return to racing for the ever gallant galloper.

Finding a stud for Rebel Raider to begin his new career as a stallion proved to be no issue second time round, Carin Park thrilled to have the 2009 South Australian Derby – 2008 Victoria Derby winner among their ranks.

Over his career, the versatile Rebel Raider started 21 times for six wins and four minor placings amassing total earnings of $1,408,340.

Rebel Raider was prepared by Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas in South Australia, proving a track genius from an early age with a win in the Group 3 Darley Sires’ Produce Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville at just their third start back in April of 2008 as a two-year-old.

There is little doubt that Rebel Raider’s best season came as a three-year-old in 2008-09 where on the back of a third place finish to The Tiger in the Listed Geelong Classic (2206m), they displayed stamina and class to defeat race favourite Whobegotyou by a commanding two and a half lengths in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival of 2008.

Rebel Raider continued on to become a multiple Derby winner when after failing to produce at the Sydney Autumn Carnival in 2009, they took out the Group 1 SAJC Derby (2500m) on May 2, 2009 by an empathic four lengths.

His achievements on the track, which also included a two length victory in the Listed Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville on the 18^th of April 2009, saw Rebel Raider ranked top of the 2008-09 Australasian 3YO Classifications (long).

The talented middle-distance galloper’s other Group win, aside from their duo of Derby successes, came in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in August 2010 as a five-year-old.

“I was fortunate to train the Champion three-year-old of his era and AJC Derby winner Gold Guru and I’d have to say that Rebel Raider was a better stayer and he never realised his full potential,” co-trainer Leon Macdonald said.

Rebel Raider is tipped to produce top-class offspring due to his impeccable breeding.

He is a son of former champion racehorse Reset, whose own father was Australia’s leading sire Zabeel and who only raced as a three-year-old starting five times for five wins over a short but impressive career that included wins in the 2004 VRC Australian Guineas and Futurity Stakes, from Dehere (USA) mare Picholine.

Picholine, a three-time winner, has been a breeding sensation with one of her first three foals being the now-retired Group 3 winner Shamoline Warrior.

Displaying many of the same physical traits as his famous grand sire Zabeel, Rebel Raider is described by Carin Park Stud as a “handsome stallion standing 16.2 hands.”

With such an impressive track resume and stunning pedigree, Rebel Raider will stand for a first-season stud fee of $5,500 inc. GST.

Rebel Raider was on-way to the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2011 at the time of his injury and subsequent retirement, having been nominated for both the $2.5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the $3 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) in October.

In Cox Plate 2011 betting Rebel Raider was an $81 roughie at Luxbet, while 2011 Caulfield Cup odds had the champion installed at $61.

On Tuesday Racing Victoria released the list of Caulfield Cup 2011 weights, as allocated by chief handicapper Greg Carpenter.

Rebel Raider was handed 55kg, equal in the weights with the Robert Hickmott-trained Midas Touch and Chris Waller’s Group 1 star My Kingdom Of Fife who resumes racing this Saturday in the $175,000 Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), which will run at Warwick Farm after the meeting was transferred from Randwick.

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Rebel Raider

A rising six-year-old and six-time winner on the track, Rebel Raider was retired from racing during the spring of last year after failing to perform in the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 4, the later found to have fractured a sesamoid.

In what later looked to be the son of Zabeel stallion Reset’s swansong start, Rebel Raider finished over 14 lengths away 15^th behind winner and former Melbourne Cup conqueror Shocking in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

The failure came just two runs into their spring prep, Rebel Raider having previously won the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in August.

Over a 20-start career, Rebel Raider produced mixed results but was a very valuable stud prospect having saluted in two thoroughbred majors.

The horse won their maiden elite level when defeating weight-for-age star Whobegotyou by a decisive margin in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) back in 2008.

A number of Group assignments followed, Rebel Raider disappointing in many including his 17^th place finish behind Metal Bender beating home just one other runner in the 2009 Randwick Guineas and also being well-beaten by Metal Bender next start when 11^th in the 2009 Rosehill Guineas.

Better form and results followed when Rebel Raider travelled back home to Perth where their second Group 1 win came in the 2009 SA Derby (2500m).

Now Rebel Raider is back in work for trainer Leon McDonald, having returned to his Morphettville stable six weeks ago.

“The owners couldn’t find the right home for him so he is back in the stable and has been in work for about six weeks,” McDonald, who co-trains in partnership with Andrew Gluyas, confirmed.

“There was interest from several studs but it was a question of finding the right one to give him a chance as a stallion.

“When that didn’t happen they decided to put him back in work rather than leave him just standing in a paddock.”

Despite having shown the ability to stay, injury has previously prevented Rebel Raider from running in the most prestigious staying showdown of them all, the iconic Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November.

Although there are whispers of a Melbourne Cup campaign this year or next for the resuming Rebel Raider, McDonald was quick to give a reality check.

“He is up to doing even time, but I’m not getting carried away,” he said.

“The proof will be whether the ligaments hold to the sesamoid once he is put under pressure.

“But he looks good, the X-rays are good, the vets are happy so we will see what happens.

“He will be nominated (for the Melbourne Cup) but he is in a different category this year in that he no longer qualifies on his past performances.

“I’m not holding my breath, he will get there but everything is going well.”

While the failure to find a fitting home for Rebel Raider may prove to be a blessing in disguise, his half-brother Shamoline Warrior has been confirmed to stand at New Zealand’s Bluegables Stud this spring.

The Shamardal four-year-old shares the same dam as Rebel Raider, Dehere mare Picholine, Shamoline Warrior having started 12 times over his career under the preparation of Melbourne Cup-winner trainer Mark Kavanagh for three wins and two minor placings earning $205,357 in total prize money.

Two of his hat-trick of wins were black-types, Shamoline Warrior having won the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington in October 2009 before taking out the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at their next start at Caulfield on October 17 of that year.

Five-year-old Avienus was one of 17 horses, 16 starters plus one emergency, accepted for this year’s $125,000 Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m).

Earlier in the week Webb expressed hopes that Avienus would get some luck in the Easter Cup barrier draw after failing to place in her five starts this season.

In three of her five runs this prep Avienus has been dealt a double-digit gate, one of the reasons accounting for why she has failed to produce the same promising form she did during the spring.

“I don’t think she’s going quite as well as she was in the spring for some reason. I can’t really put a finger on it,” Webb said.

“But in saying that she has had a nice run of performances, just without luck from bad barriers which have cost her from either winning or placing.

“She’s been unlucky in that she’s drawn a lot of wide barriers throughout her career.”

After winning the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last September, Avienus enjoyed a number of other eye-catching spring starts including her sixth, beaten less than two lengths by More Joyous, in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and her credible sixth to superstar So You Think in the premier weight-for-age showdown on the calendar, the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).

Last start Avienus was beaten just over a length when fifth to Vivid Vixen in an 1800m handicap at Caulfield on April 9.

Webb saw something in this run that hinted at improvement to come from his mare.

“Her run was good with no luck, her work has been great,” Webb said.

“The Easter Cup is certainly a good race and with the weight (54kg) I’m certainly looking forward to it.”

On Saturday Avienus and jockey Steven King face a tough test as they jump from barrier 14 in what looks to be a quality Easter Cup field.

The big winner in the Easter Cup barrier draw was Mark Kavanagh’s Shamoline Warrior drawn on the rails in alley one and due to be ridden by apprentice jockey Billy Eagan.

A stakes winner during the spring, the four-year-old son of Shamardal showed potential again last start when third to Vivid Vixen at Caulfield, Shamoline Warrior having had a number of set-backs throughout their career.

“Shamoline Warrior is only a young, lightly-raced horse and hopefully he can win the Easter Cup and come back for the Cups,” assistant trainer Merv Harvey said.

“All he needs is a bit of luck now.”

Other in-form gallopers that have genuine claims for the 2011 Easter Cup include the Mick Price-trained Galileo four-year-old Spacecraft and Lee Freedman’s defending Easter Cup winner Fanjura who both came up with favourable draws set to start from barriers three and four respectively.

Also among the challengers to take out the Easter Cup trophy are last-start winners Paddy O’Reilly (barrier five) who won the Albury Cup over 2000m on March 25 and Lloyd Williams’ Encosta De Lago four-year-old Niblick (barrier 12).

Peter Moody’s former Macau champion Luen Yat Forever is the 58kg topweight of the field.

The most notable defector from the Easter Cup following nominations was promising Victorian galloper Flat Chat, the John Sadler-trained gelding not paid up for despite showing good form in winning the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1600m) at Flemington last weekend which was the five-year-old’s fourth successive victory.

The Easter Cup is one of two Group features running at Caulfield on Easter Saturday along with the $125,000 Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m).

2011 Le Pine Funterals Easter Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw

British raider Illustrious Blue is one galloper who is highly likely to miss this year’s Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2.

Illustrious Blue won the Goodwood Cup (3200m) back in July before running a solid fifth last start in the Lonsdale Cup.

Having been nominated for the Melbourne Cup by trainer William Knight, Illustrious Blue is now likely to stay in Europe and target the Prix du Cadran in October instead of heading Down Under.

The change of plans has to do with the long campaign the eight-year-old has already embarked on this season with Knight stating that after the Prix du Cadran he will rest Illustrious Blue, who is still at $41 odds in the Melbourne Cup betting at Sportsbet.

Talented galloper Kutchinsky has also been ruled out of both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups this spring after the Tony Noonan-trained gelding went amiss.

The Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes winner last raced in the Group 1 Queensland Derby when finishing an impressive second to 2010 Melbourne Cup favourite Dariana and was originally nominated for both Cups.

A virus has put an end to the major spring carnival hopes of Kutchinsky, Noonan saying although he will not accept him in any Group 1 races he may still run the four-year-old Anabaa gelding in some of the lower status features if his fitness improves.

Another four-year-old who has had their Caulfield and Melbourne Cup plans abandoned is Shamoline Warrior, prepared by Mark Kavanagh who won the 2009 Melbourne Cup with Shocking.

After a successful campaign last year that saw Shamoline Warrior start as the favourite in the Victoria Derby before being scratched the morning of the race due to a high temperature, the son of Shamardal ran a disappointing first-up in the Group 2 JJ Liston Stakes this spring beating home just one other runner.

Kavanagh has now stated a mild ligament tear has him sending Shamoline Warrior for a spell in preparation for the autumn.

Also out of contention for the spring is the Mick Price-trained Predatory Pricer who has suffered a hock infection since placing second to Shoot Out in the JJ Liston that will see him miss the 2010 Cox Plate.

There are still plenty of top class contenders in line for a spot in the Melbourne Cup Field this year and to get the hottest odds on all of the remaining Cup hopefuls head to Sportsbet!

Or if you can’t wait till then there are plenty of great Group races planned for this Saturday with Sportsbet providing punters with the best racing offers on them all including the $400,000 Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington that will feature many 2010 Melbourne Cup hopefuls.

Whobegotyou, a half brother to the 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking also prepared by Kavanagh, came back from the paddock last week after suffering a flesh injury to his hind tendon during his run in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 12.

Starting as the odds-on favourite at Sportsbet, Whobegotyou finished a distant 11^th to Black Piranha in the Stradbroke due to the injury and was then sent for a short spell to recover.

The dual Group 1 winner who took out the Caulfield Guineas as a three-year-old before claiming his second elite level win in the Yalumba Stakes last spring, is now looking fit and in fine form, ready to spend a fortnight on the water walker at an Euroa pre-training facility after returning from Queensland.

After the two weeks Whobegotyou will then be sent to Flemington, where Kavanagh’s stables are based, to start serious training for his ambitious spring campaign that will follow a similar path to 2010 Melbourne Cup hopeful Shoot Out.

Whobegotyou has won over $2.3 million in prizemoney during his seven wins from 21 career starts and will be looking to add to this in the weight-for-age spring features.

Kavanagh is also looking to nominate the galloper for the $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) on October 23 at Moonee Valley and the headline event, the $6 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 2 at Flemington.

Other stable stars back in training for Kavanagh leading up to the spring including Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, Fastnet Rock colt We’re Gonna Rock, rising three-year-old Shamoline Warrior, Zabeel filly Zantelagh, five-year-old Sound Journey, unbeaten filly Cat’s Pyjamas, Danetime mare Valentine Miss, veteran runner Here De Angels and More Than Ready gelding Definitely Ready.

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Despite Shamoline Warrior drawing wide in barrier nine, he will site behind the main group however won’t be disadvantaged from there.

Rockferry is currently ranked even favourite with Monaco Consul and should give punters great value for money.

“He will relish the big track and I think he may show us what he’s made of. I’ll be on Rockferry with a saver on Shamoline Warrior.” one online bookmaker was quoted tipping.

The Group 1 Myer Classic is another race to keep an eye on with Typhoon Tracy being the most superior female in the race although she has drawn poorly with barrier 13.

The other major contender will be Lady Lynette which will “provide excellent value based on her last run at the Valley and is a solid each way chance.”

The withdrawal of the three-year-old colt from today’s Classic is another slap in the face for trainer Mark Kavangh who has had a horror Spring Carnival. Kavangh made the decision to withdraw Shamoline Warrior after the horse developed a lung infection and displayed a highly elevated temperature last night.

A field of 10 runners will now contest the Group 1 feature and the betting markets have been thrown into disarray. The reshuffle by bookies leaves the Michael Moroney-trained Kiwi galloper Monaco Consul ($4) and Danny O’Brien’s promising colt Rockferry ($3.80) now battling for favouritism.

Kavanagh’s last chance of success on Derby Day now lies with Shocking in the Group 3 $250 000 Lexus Stakes (2500m).

The scratching follows the retirements of Kavanagh’s Maldivian and top mare Cats Whisker due to injury and the defeat of his champion Whobegotyou as the short-priced favourite in the Cox Plate.

Meanwhile Efficient and Kirklees have both been scratched from next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

Although Derby favourite Shamoline Warrior has drawn barrier 9, his trainer Mark Kavanagh is not worried about the horse staying wide as he is confident the colt will manage to get up on the inside.

Shamoline’s biggest threats for Saturday’s race will be barrier one and two horses Monaco Consul and Rockferry.

Monaco Consul recently won the Spring Champion Stakes and proved his capabilities after sprinting up on the inside at the 250m mark while battling through mud and wet conditions.

If the track conditions for Saturday remain in perfect condition, Monaco Consul will be able to pick up speed early to be in the lead and maintain a steady pace right through the run.

Fellow New Zealander Rockferry has drawn the ideal spot of barrier two and punters should not use his run in the Geelong Classic as a reflection of his true racing ability.

Rockferry finished in third place behind Southern Skye in the event after being caught up in traffic throughout most of the race.

Towards the final 200m mark however, the colt did manage to storm home which indicates that if he can pull out quickly in Saturday’s race he will definitely finish in the top four.

There has been a lot of hype regarding Geelong Classic winner Southern Skye however if the track is too heavy Saturday, his chances of taking the lead will be significantly reduced.

Extra Zero’s bad run in last weekend’s AAMI Vase may not have been the colt’s fault yet is did cost him the top spot on the betting market.

Hopefully his new jockey Nash Rawiller will give the horse a better chance at showing his true potential in Saturday’s 2500m race.

The field of 11 runners set to contest the 2500-metre three-year-old Classic also includes the Patinack Farm duo, Onemorenomore ($13) drawing gate five and Gathering ($17) coming up with gate eight.

Saturday’s Derby will be the first race start for the Monaco Consul ($6) since winning the Spring Champion Stakes on October 3. The three-year-old colt drew the rails with barrier 1 while fellow Kiwi galloper Our Heir Apparent ($17) will start from gate 10.

Second favourite in the betting markets, Danny O’Brien’s Rockferry ($5) drew barrier 2.

Extra Zero, currently a $15 chance for the Derby, will now be ridden by Nash Rawiller after his brother, Caulfield Cup-winning hoop Brad Rawiller was dumped by Extra Zero’s trainer David Hayes. Hayes was reportedly unimpressed with Rawiller’s performance in last Saturday’s AAMI Vase (2040m) when he rode the colt to fifth place.

The Derby is race six on Saturday’s nine-race card and is set to commence at 2:55pm.

AAMI Victoria Derby Final Field & Barrier Draw:

Racing Victoria released the final fields for Saturday’s meeting, the feature race of which is the $1.5million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby. Eleven eager runners are set to contest the 2500 metre event, with the Mark Kavanagh-trained Shamoline Warrior the odds-on favourite at $2.80. Other entries heading the line-up include Patinack’s Onemorenomore and Gathering, Mike Moroney’s Monaco Consul and Danny O’Brien-trained Rockferry.

The Victoria Derby barrier draw will take at noon today.

The second big head-line event of the day is the Group 1 $750 000 Mackinnon Stakes boasting a field of 13 impressive runners. O’Brien has paid up for Melbourne Cup hopeful Vigor, as expected. Although not ideal, O’Brien may have to run the five-year-old on Saturday to assure a start in next Tuesday’s $5.5million Melbourne Cup. Vigor is currently 28th in order of entry for the race. Other key acceptors include defending Cup champion Viewed and O’Brien’s guaranteed Cup runner Master O’Reilly.

The Group 1 $500 000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) is another highlight on the day and this year is sure to be a captivating race with a field of 15 starters. With the announcement of the barrier draw, there has been a few intriguing upsets for the jockeys, horses and the punters. The fine filly Irish Lights, to be ridden by Dwayne Dunn, will start from barrier one. While the other outside position, gate 15, was drawn to the unbeaten King Pulse, to be ridden by Mark Zahra. Other notable entries include Wanted (br. 14), Demerit (br. 10) and Love Conquers All (br. 4).

The Group 1 $500 000 Myer Classic (1600m) this year will see 14 of the premier mares take to the field. Headliners include Hot Danish (br.5), Neroli (br.3), Zarita (br.11) and Typhoon Tracy, who drew poorly with barrier 13.

The Group 3 $250 000 Lexus Stakes will be keenly watched as many of the 16 runners are vying for victory to secure a spot in the 24 horse Melbourne Cup field.