TRUE REBEL ANNOUNCES HIMSELF AS DERBY CONTENDER

Jockey Blake Shinn declared True Rebel “announced himself” as a Victoria Derby contender in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) at Flemington.

True Rebel cemented his grip on Victoria Derby favouritism when Shinn guided the Danny O’Brien-trained colt to a half-length win over Godolphin-owned three-year-old Skua.

“He’s announced himself today,” Shinn said.

“He’s made a good step to 2000m. He’s just a no-fuss horse.”

Bookmakers had True Rebel as a $4 favourite in Derby betting ahead of Geelong Classic winner Murshidi ($7) and Cignetti at $9.

The Moonee Valley Vase has been a consistent guide to the Victoria Derby over the years with 21 of the last 38 winners of the race filling a top-three placing seven days later.

True Rebel would need to outstay his breeding to win the $3m Victoria Derby.

The colt is a son of Group 1-winning sprinter Rebel Dane but O’Brien said True Rebel had the physique and temperament of a stayer.

“Physically he looks like a stayer but on pedigree he doesn’t,” O’Brien said.

“He’s a very relaxed customer and all of his races say he wants further and he got out to the 2000 today and stayed well.

“It is another step to go further but all of the horses next Saturday are in the same boat.”

Shinn said True Rebel would be a better horse over shorter trips in the future.

But he said O’Brien was the perfect trainer to assess True Rebel’s ability to see out the 2500m Derby trip.

“His attitude has carried him to 2000. He may be better at a mile or 1800 but class got him through today,” Shinn said.

“Danny is a master at making these right calls.

“It’s a Derby there for anyone’s keeping. It is a wide open race and the horse is fit and well.

“If you get a sit and sprint type of Derby, it’ll play into his hands but if you get a staying test, I’ve got reservations.

“He (O’Brien) has got a quality problem to stew over for the next few days.”

Story by Brad Waters for Racenet and the Sunday Herald-Sun

Pics by Racing Photos