Unwanted ‘baby’ wins at first start

Press, 1 April 1980, Page 24

Unwanted ‘baby’ wins at first start

By

J. J. BOYLE

Just a Rebel, impressive winner of the Plough Handicap for two-year-olds at Rangiora yesterday, attracted little interest when he was offered as a weanling at auction and was passed in at $3OO. He was later bought privately by the Riccarton trainer, David Kerr, who’ now races the Weyland gelding in partnership with Mr David Clarkson. Just a Rebel’s dam. Fully Tested (by Test Case) was purchased by Mr- Clarkson

for two of his Sydney friends, Messrs Jim Hercus and Bert Webster, but they did not plan to race the then weedy youngster. They might already regret such a decision. Just a Rebel could not have been more impressive in his race debut yesterday, and must now be high on the list of fancies for the Champagne Stakes at Riccarton next week. Athos, which was resuming after a spell, tried to do it all in front, but he could not find anything extra for Just a Rebel’s straight challenge.

John Peel closed strongly near the end, but Athos kept him away from second by a half neck.

.Just a Rebel completed a course treble worth $436.60 when he won yesterday. Fern Bay, winner of the first leg of that treble, was also having his first start and was at odds of 15-to-on'e.’ ’ The’ second leg, \ the Gust Highweight, fell to the challenge of Mr • Coaster, which came with the last run- -for Owen’ Anning to beat Flying Gang and Taitan into the minor places.