This Rebel has a cause

AFTER his upset victory in the first leg of the R600 000 Eastern Cape Poly Challenge at Fairview on Monday 22-1 outsider Cape Rebel has a strong chance of claiming the R250 000 bonus for any horse who can win all three legs.

Cape Rebel set himself up for a tilt at all three legs by getting up late to deny a gallant Juan Two Three.

The winner is best known as a 1 400m to 1 600m performer, and indeed had not competed over this trip since his debut back in May 2015.

However, Corne Spies’ gelding was rarely too far off and pounced late after class act Juan Two Three had looked set to make all in his first appearance since winning this race a year ago.

The winner’s merit rating can only be raised six points for this victory, and the second and third legs over 1 400m and 1 600m respectively are also run on the same Pinnacle Plate-like conditions.

He clearly ran way above his 75 rating in defeating the 106 rated Juan Two Three in receipt of only 7kg.

The other two races take place on Friday, April 13 – over 1 400m – with the final leg taking place on Friday May 11 over 1 600m.

Each of these Non-Black Type races carries prize money of R100 000. A consolation bonus of R50 000

will be paid in the event of no winner with the provision

that the horse will have run in all three legs.