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JJ Atkins plan for Dark Rebel
Darley Stud-based first-season sire Astern (Medaglia d’Oro) was provided with his fifth first-crop winner on Wednesday when his son Dark Rebel (2 c ex She Must Be Obeyed by Commands) made a winning debut over 1400 metres at Warwick Farm and trainer Edward Cummings is now eyeing a potential tilt at the JJ Atkins (Gr 1, 1600m) for the colt.
Ridden by Josh Parr, the two-year-old colt came from the back, showing a great burst of speed on the turn to beat Maurice's Choice (Maurice) by two lengths, while Cotehele (Tavistock) was another neck away in third.
“It was pretty easy in the end. He’s shown a bit of class at home from day one,” Cummings said.
“Hugh (Bowman) got off him (after finishing third in a 900 metre trial at Rosehill) and said don’t worry with six furlongs, he has enough class for seven, and we took his advice.
“His mum won as dominantly at Canterbury when on debut on a soft 6. She was by Commands and was a nice horse in her own right.
“There is a fair bit of water to pass under the bridge but he holds nominations for Brisbane and we would have to give that some serious thought.”
The colt was purchased by his trainer and Myrtle House for $120,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Glastonbury Farms draft last year and he is out of winning Commands (Danehill) mare She Must Be Obeyed, who has produced four further winners.
She Must Be Obeyed is herself a daughter of Group 3 scorer Yvonne (Last Tycoon).
Dark Rebel’s Niconni (Bianconi) half-brother was purchased by Pinhook Bloodstock for $25,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale last year and last spring She Must Be Obeyed produced a colt by Star Witness (Starcraft).
Dark Rebel joins Listed winner Seradess, Arnaqueur, Zadig and Do as You're Told as the stallion’s other winners and he will stand at Darley’s Kelvinside base for a reduced fee of $16,500, having stood last season for $22,000 (inc GST).
