Rebel Dane, one of the best short-course horses in Australia, will run first-up in the $2.5 million T. J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 12.

Trainer Gary Portelli this afternoon told Racing Network he would not be tempted to start the horse before that race.

“He’s unbeaten first-up, that’s his go, so he’ll go to the T. J. Smith fresh and first-up,” he said.

“I went and had a look at him two days ago in the paddock and he looks magnificent.

“He put on quite a show for us in the paddock, he’s put on a stack of weight and has definitely done very well while he’s been out,” Portelli said.

During the Melbourne Spring Carnival Rebel Dane won the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Portelli said he would be bringing Rebel Dane back into work in two weeks.

“He’s going to come back in very good order but he will be aimed at the TJ,” he said.

Portelli said the BTC Cup, Doomben Cup and Stradbroke Handicap were three possible races for Rebel Dane during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

“I’ll see how he goes first-up and if he runs in the first three we’ll probably go to Brisbane for those races,” he said.

Reported on Racing Network