Boss pairs up with Rebel Dane for Show County

CHAMPION jockey Glen Boss celebrated his 44th birthday on Wednesday with a double at Sandown, and hopes to get a belated present in Sydney tomorrow.

Based in Melbourne, Boss has bypassed the meeting at Moonee Valley to ride rising star Rebel Dane in the $125,000 Group Three Show County Quality (1200m) at Warwick Farm.

The four-year-old has not raced since finishing 10th to champion colt Pierro in the Group One George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on a slow track on April 6.

Rebel Dane, trained at Warwick Farm by Gary Portelli, won an 800m trial on the track on July 25, going to the line hard held with Boss in the saddle.

Boss had made the trip to Sydney specifically to ride stablemate I’m All The Talk, and also jumped on Rebel Dane, telling Portelli after the armchair ride he was extremely impressed.

“Let’s just say when he jumped off he was very clear that he wanted to stay on him,” the trainer said. “He’s got awesome acceleration and does things in trackwork that you just don’t see.”

“Everything’s gone to plan heading towards Saturday. We’ve had the race tagged and have had plenty of time to have him spot on.”

Rebel Dane is undefeated over the 1200m trip, and also unbeaten first up. Last campaign the son of California Dane resumed with a victory in the Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on February 16 despite bungling the start.

He was listed a $3.20 favourite for the Show County with Tattsbet yesterday, despite the race attracting a quality field.

The other main chances look to be Group One winners Appearance, Norzita and Sizzling, although Appearance might find it tough giving Rebel Dane 4.5kg.

Sizzling and Norzita are both resuming from spells, with Norzita being aimed at the Group One Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.

Trained by James Cummings in partnership with his grandfather Bart, the mare has not raced since her third behind Sacred Falls in the Group One Doncaster Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on April 20.