Tough ask but Wells star to be big Factor

RISING star sprinter-miler Rebel Factor faces his biggest test when he steps out in the $125,000 weight-for-age Rayner Transport Conquering Stakes over 1400m in Launceston on Wednesday night.

Rebel Factor, prepared by Team Wells out of its Spreyton stables, goes into the race unbeaten from his last four starts, the latest a benchmark 76 handicap over 1100m in Launceston last Wednesday night.

The grey gelding has never raced on a seven-day back-up and he has drawn the outside barrier (9), but his co-trainer Trent Wells is quietly confident the son of The FactorRebel Bride is up to the task.

The Inevitable has been installed as a short-priced favourite ($1.85) on the strength of his impressive win in the Newmarket Handicap over 1200m two weeks ago and he meets most of his rivals 5.5kg better under the weight-forage scale.

“He pulled up a treat from last week’s run and he never left an oat (in his feed bin), which is really good because he usually takes a day or two to get back to normal,” Wells said.

“The barrier draw (nine) hasn’t helped us a lot, but we are lucky enough to have Brendon McCoull on, so we are looking forward to the race.

“As far as the barrier draw is concerned, we will leave it up to Brendon (McCoull) as to where he lands in the race but he is an adaptable horse and I believe he is better when ridden off the speed because he can get caught star gazing a little bit.

“I believe he is a definite top-three chance, and we obviously have a huge opinion of him, but we are not kidding ourselves because we believe he is going to be an even better horse next year.”

Rebel Factor is quoted as a $7 chance in the latest markets and with Tasmania’s best jockey McCoull aboard, he looms as an each-way prospect.

The Inevitable has been very impressive in winning his two starts this preparation.

He won the Goodwood Handicap (1100m) at Elwick and two weeks ago he blitzed his rivals in the $150,000 Newmarket Handicap when he defeated his stablemate First Accused and Alpine Wolf.

Trainer Scott Brunton said The Inevitable had come through the Newmarket in great order and he expected the pocket-sized Dundeel gelding to again deliver the goods.

“He (The Inevitable) meets most of the ones he met in the Newmarket 5.5kg better at the weights and he is spot-on for this race,” Brunton said.

The Inevitable drops a half-kilogram on what he carried to victory in the Newmarket (59.5kg), while the others rise from 54kg to 59kg under the weight-for-age conditions.

Brunton also saddles up First Accused, Mandela Effect and Vallabar in the race. First Accused is the second favourite at $5.

Mandela Effect ($16) is first-up from a lengthy spell and Vallabar ($46) is resuming from a stint in the Northern Territory, where he was placed in the Darwin Cup (2050m) and ran third in the Belmont Stakes (1700m) at Katherine.

Another feature on the card is the Alfa Bowl for twoyear-olds.

Adam Trinder’s unraced gelding Thoros Of Myr is favourite ahead of recent debut winner Encounter Sphere from Graeme McCulloch’s yard. Barry Campbell’s unraced filly Cairns is also rated highly.

The 3YO Trophy over 1400m is a cracker.

The Bello Beau, unbeaten from six starts in Tasmania, is being tested beyond 1200m for the first time but is a firm favourite at $1.75.

However, many are considered serious dangers to the Trinder-trained gelding, including two of the favourites, stablemates Sharma’s Last and Jaguar Stone.