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Today’s Canterbury meeting saw an impressive victory to Laurel Oak home-bred, and debutant, Rebel Dane. Trained by Gary Portelli, Rebel Dane has always sent out positive vibes, and as such, Gary decided to send the California Dane colt to a strong midweek city maiden at his first start. Ridden by Jason Collett, Rebel Dane was taken back in the field to find cover, and he eventually settled second last, approximately eight lengths off the speed. Rounding the turn, Rebel Dane began to work into the race and on straightening was the widest runner. Once balance up, Rebel Dane unleashed a scintillating turn of foot to reel in the leaders and score a narrow, but comprehensive victory.

Rebel Dane breaks his maiden on debut

The victory vindicated Gary’s decision to start the colt in such a strong race on debut and greater glories are in store for this youngster. Making the victory more special, was the fact that Rebel Dane was bred by a Laurel Oak manged, broodmare syndicate, which, sees Rebel Dane being the fourth generation of a family to be raced by Laurel Oak, since his Great-Great-Grandam, Georgian Gold, was raced successfully back in the early 1980’s. Laurel Oak has always kept a link with the family and we hope that Rebel Dane can continue the tradition. Going by the manner of todays win, it certainly will continue.

PETER MOODY-trained SWIFT SUCCESSION resumed in a hot 3yo field at Sandown. Remarkably, of the ten final acceptors, nine were last-start winners, with the only non-winner having been beaten not far in a Group 3 race at his previous start. After scratchings it meant seven of the eight runners were last-start winners, including our own Swift Succession. Such was his pre-race expectation, though, that he was the rank outsider, and, despite his working well and having had a couple of encouraging trials, Peter thought that he would need the run and would be better-suited over longer. However, after jumping well, jockey Luke Nolen had him perfectly placed one-out and one-back and travelling comfortably in the run, and presented him at the right time in the straight to challenge. It took most of the straight for Swift Succession to reel in the leaders, and once he did get there it looked like Peter’s pre-race prognosis would come to fruition as he started to wobble with about 50m to go and it looked like he might finish a close fourth. However he kept coming, despite running about a bit, and arrived in time for what was a good win. A healthy contingent of Laurel Oak owners attended the day to boost the midweek crowd, and significantly add to the noise level with some enthusiastic barracking down the straight. Commentators thought it may the bookies cheering when, in fact, it was some very happy Laurel Oak owners!

CERTAIN GLORY, finally broke her maiden status at Gundagai, and what a well-deserved victory that was. She was transferred from John O’Shea to Keith Dryden earlier in the year and, after resuming on 1 June, has raced very consistently. In her first seven starts for Keith she ran five placings, so she has kept threatening to win without actually doing so. However, she is proving to be a tough girl as she keeps pulling up well, so we have been able to continue the preparation trying to win a race. After running third on the same Nowra program where Roman Alliance won she was beaten in a very hot maiden field at Goulburn, and, with a couple of options for her two weeks ago, Keith took the one with the best barrier draw, and she dropped back to 1400m at Gundagai. She was very well-ridden by Lauri Wray, who had the mare in the right place at the right time throughout the race and presented her in perfect timing in the straight to challenge. Certain Glory did the rest by going on to score a one-length victory. She has come through the race well again, and her next start will have an important bearing on her longer-term career in seeing how she handles non-maiden company after such a long battle to win her maiden. She has now had thirteen career starts for one win and seven placings, but we are all very thankful that she eventually got to the winning post first.

Today’s Gundagai meeting saw our Tale Of The Cat Filly, Angel Of Avalon, break her maiden status with a solid victory. A terrific ride from Kevin Sweeney, who is in dashing form at present, had Angel Of Avalon right on the speed, utilising her good barrier. Approaching the turn, Kevin had the favourite working on his outside and on straightening Kevin let the filly go and she let down well to establish a lead. Angel Of Avalon was challenged late, however, her superiority showed over the concluding stages to record a comfortable win. Despite some niggling issues, this filly has done a terrific job since joining the Dryden yard and further success is not too far away.

The promotion of all-girl syndicates at the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sale has made the concept very popular. At Laurel Oak Bloodstock we have been racing all-girl syndicates for some years now, so we like to think that the Magic Millions promotion was inspired by our model.

Certain Glory made it two placings from two outings for her new trainer Keith Dryden. Today’s placing was at Wagga where Certain Glory settled midfield over the 1000m scamper. Approaching the turn, Certain Glory made her run around the field, however, she was unable to reel in the winner but hit the line solidly to finish a pleasing second. Certain Glory may now be looking for a bit further and trainer Keith Dryden is confident a win is right around the corner.

Today sees the departure of our touring party for the Laurel Oak/Tony Noonan Racing Tour to Royal Ascot and The Irish Derby. This year marks our fourth venture to Royal Ascot, and third to the Irish Derby, and you can tell by the number of times we have returned, these tours are not to be missed. This year’s tour promises to be very special, and unique, with Australia, and the World’s, wonder mare, BLACK CAVIAR, already in England preparing for another record breaking feat. While “the great one’s” presence is enough, we will also be on course to see horses such as Frankel, So You Think, Camelot and Ortensia racing, and we cannot wait to be apart of it. Like all our tours, our main focus is on racing, but there is also a mixture of sightseeing, high class dining and accommodation to make our trip comfortable and memorable. Go Black Caviar!!

Dab Touch returned from a freshen up with a strong placing at Canberra this afternoon. An awkward barrier meant he had to go back from the jump and, after settling well in the run, Dab Touch hit the line solidly to finish second. Trainer Keith Dryden seems to have found the key to Dab Touch and he will be kept fresh and a win is not too far away.

Today saw Certain Glory step out at Goulburn for the first time, under the care of her new trainer, Keith Dryden. Certain Glory had been working well leading into the event and had connections confident of a successful result. An awkward barrier saw Certain Glory travel wide throughout the entire race. Entering the straight, she still move into the race menacingly and went to the lead passing the 100m. The wide run took its toll in the end when she was nailed on the line by a runner from the Gary Portelli yard. While a win would have been nice, Certain Glory ran very well, and if we had to be beaten, we were glad it was by one of our Laurel Oak trainer’s.

Flying Spur gelding, Flying Bentley, broke his maiden status in fine style at Canberra this afternoon.

Flying Bentley began well but was in an awkward position early, before jockey Kevin Sweeney was able to slot in one off the rails three pairs back, and Flying Bentley travelled well.

Approaching the turn, Kevin gave the big chestnut room, and he moved into the race entering the straight and looked a danger.

In the straight, Flying Bentley, gradually wore down the leaders and came away for a convincing win despite not recording a huge winning margin.

Flying Bentley has had an interrupted career due to a serious leg injury that required a long rest in the paddock. We hope that the patience his owners have shown will now start to be repaid the further he heads into the preparation.