HANDSOME REBEL dominates in Maiden win at Matamata

Fortuna Syndications well named Two Year Old Gelding HANDSOME REBEL (Denman – London Rebel, by Fastnet Rock) kept the money flowing as the twice stakes placed $1.70 favourite raced clear by four lengths to win the Maiden 2yo 1200 metres on 14 March at Matamata. Click HERE to see race replay

Having recorded four thirds from as many starts, including last time out behind subsequent Group One winning stable-mate Sword of Osman (Savabeel) in the Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) and the Phoenix Park Classic (Gr. 3, 1200m), the win came easily in the end.

Sent forward from a wide gate to race outside the leader, Handsome Rebel (stable name “Jordie”) took control at the 250m and streaked away for rider Opie Bosson.

“He jumped well and wanted to over race a bit early, but came back under me about the half mile and he did it easily,” Bosson said.

At the annual meeting for the South Waikato Racing Club, in a race sponsored by Retox Sports Bar & Tokoroa Cosmopolitan Club, Handsome Rebel ran the 1200 metres in 1:11.7, last 600m in 35.8, on footing rated Dead6.

“He’s a promising horse,” said co-trainer Jamie Richards. “He’s been getting back and been a bit field shy around other horses, so we decided to ride him positively to negate those issues. Full credit to John Galvin for making the right call re race choice – we could have gone to the Group One (Sistema Stakes), but decided to come here, try and ride him positively and take some of that bad luck out of the equation and it’s worked really well.”

“Fortuna is an incredibly important part of the Te Akau team, both here (NZ) and with Mark (Walker) in Singapore, and John does a great job,” said David Ellis.

“I bought three yearlings for John at this year’s Karaka Sale, and they include two of the nicest fillies you’d ever see. We’re really looking forward to getting them into the stable.”

By Group One winning stallion Denman (Lonhro), Handsome Rebel is the first foal from the Fastnet Rock mare London Rebel, from a family sporting quite a few stakes performers.

John Galvin said: “This is a lovely outcome, full credit to the Training Team of Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards for devising a plan (back to Maiden Grade, blinkers on and to ride positively from the barriers) and it worked a treat. It’s a great syndicate  with a healthy mix of Fortuna stalwarts and first time Fortuna Members, many of whom enjoyed their first ever win today. Jordie is a lovely horse and didn’t cost us a lot of money. We like to buy them to budget and it’s really paid off with this guy”

Raced by the Fortuna Handsome Rebel Syndicate, an ownership Group comprising 37 individuals, Handsome Rebel was purchased for A$65,000 by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Element Hill

”.