Rebel triumphs in Takeover Target Stakes

Progressive sprinter Border Rebel added another feature win to his record with an impressive victory in the Listed $100,000 Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on Wednesday.   The Johannesburg gelding has now won 12 times in 16 starts.

Border Rebel (4g Johannesburg – Frontier by Flying Spur) scored by almost three lengths from proven stakes winner Youthful Jack.  Both horses are Magic Millions graduates.  The winner was purchased for just $26,000 from the Jonel Park draft at the 2007 Magic Millions National yearling sale by former Hazelwood Stud owner Veronica Scott-Mason.

“He’s made my life different,” Tamworth based trainer Sue Grills commented.  “He could go on to the Ramornie at Grafton, but I think he’ll get too much weight.  Another option is to freshen him up and run him in the Premiere Stakes, which is weight-for-age, or give him a break and head to Melbourne in the spring.”

Border Rebel is by Coolmore sire Johannesburg.  His leading performer this season has been G1 AJC Australian Oaks winner Once Were Wild who is also a Magic Millions graduate.

The Takeover Target winner is one of two winners for the four time winning Flying Spur mare Frontier.  Second dam Chador (Marscay) won the Tranquil Star Stakes in Melbourne.