Ironically, The Prospector series has ‘dug up’ the sport’s “next big thing”.
The potential champion label is bandied about loosely, but I can stoically say Rebellious is gold class!
In last week’s heats, the Jason Thompson-trained star in the making was only two lengths off superstar Shima Shine’s Bendigo 425m track record of 23.35sec.
And in last night’s $15,000 to-the-winner final, Rebellious reduced that to around one length when he clocked a sizzling 23.42sec (Best).
Jumping okay from box five, Rebellious ($2.30F) displayed the acceleration of a topliner and in an act of defiance streaked away for a 4.5L win over the Joe Borg-trained Ultimate Avenger ($17.70), with his litter brother Substantial ($8.80) – prepared by Anthony Azzopardi – a further 0.6L away third.
He notched his eighth win from only 10 starts and lifted his stakes to $34,790.
WATCH: Potential champion Rebellious (5) semaphores a ‘golden’ 23.42sec victory in The Prospector final, defeating Ultimate Avenger (7) and Substantial (8).
It was also his third win from four starts over this track/distance and he’s unbeaten in three starts from the ‘yellow’ trap.
Rebellious and Substantial – Aug ’19 Barcia Bale x On The Runway – are both bred and owned by father/son combination Michael and Darren Puleio.
Last month, Rebellious also finished third in the inaugural Pink Diamond Rookie Short Course final at Bendigo.
Meanwhile, on the same program, the Natalie Presutto-trained Jazz Opera played a winning tune in the Bendigo Roses final (425m).
Exploding out of box one, Jazz Opera ($8.90) led the field a merry dance defeating the Anthony Azzopardi-trained Diamond Ability ($5.80) by 1.3L, with the Matt Lanigan-prepared Mepunga Gertie ($11.90) a further 0.75L away third in 24.09sec.
WATCH: Jazz Opera (1) was ‘on song’ with an all-the-way 24.09sec win in the Bendigo Roses final, beating home Diamond Ability (8) and Mepunga Gertie (6).
Race favourite Aston Flame ($1.70) – a litter sister of Aston Rupee and Aston Fastnet – had no luck in transit and finished eighth.
Jazz Opera (Apr ’19 Fernando Bale x Hightan) recorded her seventh win from 19 starts. Her prizemoney jumped to $60,105.
And the $15,000 first prize would have been ‘music to the ears’ of her breeder-owner Michelle Nolan.
Back in February, Jazz Opera snared a $25,000 winner’s cheque when successful in the GRV Vic Bred Series Maiden final (525m) at The Meadows, while she more recetly took out the prestigious Healesville Oaks.
In other highlights, young training sensation Kayla Cottrell, 19, landed a $7500 winner’s cheque courtesy of Big Fonzie ($2.00F) in the GRV Vic Bred Series Maiden final (425m).
Big Fonzie (Feb ’19 Aston Dee Bee x Naughty Cazza) – a younger half-brother of G1 stars Fernando Bluey and Fernando Cazz – registered his second win from four starts and clocked a tidy 24.08sec.
Meanwhile, Immunity ($1.10F) topped off a great night for Jason Thompson with an effortless 7.3L win over 500m. The G2 Laurels finalist notched her 15th win from 21 starts and recorded a smart 27.94sec (Best).
And Anthony Azzopardi produced a training treble courtesy of Aston Gigante ($2.40F) – 23.94, Rebel Riot ($3.00EF) – 28.03sec and Derry Express ($2.80) – 28.27sec.
Bendigo GRA Manager Troy Harley said the decision to move the Bendigo Cup from its traditional spot in early July to October – and add two new age-restricted races in the Roses and The Prospector – has been a terrific success.
“The Roses and The Prospector have proven to be races of elite quality, and promotion of these events has been terrific. As such they are the perfect races to replace the Cup in our Winter Carnival slot.”
“The carnival technically still has one night to go, with a quality Vic Bred Grade 5 Final to be run next Friday.”
“We started the Winter Carnival with Pink Diamond Finals Night (18 June), and it has continued with features including the Winter Cup, Vic Bred Maiden Final, Roses, The Prospector and a Vic Bred Grade 5 series, so it is something we’re very proud of and we expect it to continue to gain momentum in years to come.”
