Rebel Dane in Doncaster test

Thursday 4 April 2013, 4:44pm

Craig Williams will use Saturday's George Ryder Stakes to test Rebel Dane as a possible Doncaster Mile mount.

The jury is out on whether the colt runs a strong 1600m with his only test at the trip coming last start in the Randwick Guineas when he finished fourth to It's A Dundeel.

Trainer Gary Portelli says the feedback from Williams in the aftermath of Saturday's George Ryder (1500m) will all but determine whether Rebel Dane presses on to the Doncaster in which he has 52kg.

"Saturday is a big test for us going forward," Portelli said.

"Craig Williams wants to get a feel of him looking at the Doncaster.

"If Craig doesn't think he can get a strong mile and doesn't want to ride him in it, then that will probably tell us what we do."

Rebel Dane ran Pierro to a short head in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) two starts ago.

That was his only defeat at the western Sydney track where he has posted three of his four wins.

Portelli is banking on a return to Rosehill sparking his charge back to form, although Pierro again looms as a stumbling block.

Portelli isn't expecting Rebel Dane beat the odds-on favourite but he is hoping his colt can test him.

"Pierro, that's a daunting task," Portelli said.

"He is probably one of the best three-year-olds we've seen.

"I wouldn't dream that we might beat him but I would like to pressure him again. I'd be rapt with that."

The George Ryder will be Rebel Dane's first run in three weeks and Portelli expects him to be "spot on" despite a slight setback following the Guineas.

The colt was found to have over-reached during the race and split his heel although Portelli refused to blame that for his so-so run.

The Warwick Farm trainer is also excited to be saddling up a Golden Slipper runner in I'm All The Talk.

A $21 chance, I'm All The Talk booked his spot in the feature juvenile race with a comprehensive victory in the Skyline Stakes last month.

– AAP

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