Champion trainer Jason Thompson holds the key to Friday night’s Geelong Derby final (460m) with inside duo, boom youngster Rebellious (Box 1) and comeback speedster Mr. America (Box 2).
Rebellious improved his sensational record to 13 wins from 18 starts when clocking the fastest time in last Friday’s three heats, 25.55sec, while Mr. America, the winner of 10 from 20, was run down in the shadows of the post by Samantha Grenfell’s Nikoli Bale in 25.58sec.
Rebellious, a superbly bred son of Barcia Bale and On The Runway, a litter sister to Thompson-trained G1 winners Poke The Bear and Out Of Range, has bounced back with two emphatic victories after back-to-back defeats over 515m at Sandown Park.
After a short let-up, Rebellious ran a fast 24.57sec at Sale, before making it two from two over 460m at Geelong as the $1.30 favourite in his Derby heat.
He’d clocked a near-record 25.24sec in July, just two lengths outside the benchmark held by another Thompson-prepared star in Black Magic Opal.
Thompson was pleased with Rebellious’ heat performance, especially the way he finished off, but concedes the move from ‘the pink’ last week to the rails for Friday’s $6500 to-the-winner final is a concern.
“Rebellious had a couple of weeks off with a minor problem and his two runs back have been very good,” he said.
“The best part of his heat was the last 200m. He was two in front turning for home and won by six or seven. He’s really strengthening up.
“Box one is probably not ideal. He’s better off drawn middle to wide and he won’t want to do anything wrong.
“Hopefully Rebellious and Mr. America can avoid each other. I think Mr. America will clear Rebellious anyway.
“Mr. America is normally a very good beginner and while he won’t cut hard to the fence, he will want to head there soon after the start.”
Thompson confirmed Rebellious will step up to Group company for the first time in Saturday week’s (October 9) G2 Bendigo Cup heats and cautioned he has by no means been deterred by the potential superstar’s two seconds at Sandown.
