Glen Boss (red cap) presents Rebel Dane at the perfect time to pinch the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes from Fontelin (orange and blue silks). Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Colleen Petch / HeraldSun
THE pit pony nobody wanted proved a giant slayer at Caulfield yesterday.
Ridden by big stage specialist Glen Boss, the tiny Rebel Dane nosed roughie Fontelina on the post to win the Rupert Clarke Stakes, vindicating Boss's pre-race assurance that Rebel Dane "would just go out and win".
Trainer Gary Portelli revealed Boss gave virtually a gilt-edged tip in the minutes and days before the 1400m Group 1.
"He just went out today and said 'leave it to me'," Portelli said. "He got cover after 50m and the rest is history. That's why I chose Glen for this horse. He wasn't only chasing the ride but this is a horse you've really got to think about how to ride.
"He said after getting beat up the straight on him the other day that he learned how not to ride him and said he wouldn't get beat at his next start."
Portelli, who has now trained three Group 1 winners, said "every trainer in the world wanted to train a Group 1 winner but these horses are very hard to find".
Trainer Gary Portelli and jockey Glen Boss with the trophy for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: HeraldSun
Boss, who resisted a lavish across the line celebration — because a recent fine cost his wife money for "dresses and shoes" – said the race panned out perfectly for Rebel Dane.
"That was hectic, that was," Boss said.
"But he ended up behind the perfect horse in Linton, who I didn't expect to race so close.
"Gee he's a tough colt, he really dug deep. I have nothing but admiration for this colt." There were fairytale elements to yesterday's win.
Some of Rebel Dane's owners raced the colt's mother and grandfather. Rebel Dane was a runt.
"He was an ugly duckling. We couldn't sell him and I got him to train," Portelli said.
"He was so plain, after the breakers I couldn't even get a girth around him he was so small and weak and offset — but he moved so well.
Trainer Gary Portelli with Rebel Dane after his win. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: HeraldSun
"He eventually got to 440kg and now races at 460. He's a plain little horse but he gets the job done."
For Boss, the win was a spectacular first salvo for the new racing season, which unofficially began yesterday off the back of Saturday's AFL Grand Final.
Portelli said Rebel Dane might be freshened up for the Patinack Farm Classic on the final day of the Flemington spring carnival.
"His rating will now go through the roof. He might be a weight-for-age horse next season," he said.
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