Rebel Call made the best possible start to his racing career with a thrilling victory in the Listed Perth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.  He won in a pulsating finish from unbeaten youngster Benny’s Halo (Benicio) and Cat Five (One Cool Cat).

“That’s really nice leading into the Karrakatta Plate,” trainer Joe Byrne said.  “We were hoping we might be able to get the slip on Benny coming to the turn – and in the end we just got there.

“Rebel Call is an excellent type and will derive plenty of improvement from the win.” Byrne added.  “My two year olds are going really well at the moment and Bim Bom Bay will also go into the Karrakatta in good form.”

Byrne purchased Rebel Call for $160,000 out of the Rothwell Park draft at the 2009 Magic Millions National weanling sale.  He was acting on behalf of stable client Ong Tiong Seng.   The Singapore based owner is a long time Magic Millions client and has tasted great success over the years with his stock in both Australia and Singapore.

Rebel Call (2c Exceed and Excel -Terrenora by Encosta de Lago) is from a Flemington winning mare who was also G3 placed in the VRC Matriarch Stakes at headquarters.

Rebel Call is her third winner from three to race following Teraset (Reset) and Tellora (Elusive Quality).  She has a yearling colt by Commands and a filly foal by Exceed and Excel.

Rothwell Park sold the Commands colt to NZ agent Paul Beamish for $140,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions National weanling sale.  He changed hands again for $200,000 at the 2011 NZB Premier yearling sale at Karaka.