An attempt at back-to-back wins on Scone Cup day holds much more appeal for Border Rebel's trainer Sue Grills than taking on the world's best sprinter in Brisbane.Border Rebel will take his place in Friday's $100,000 Scone Quality (1100m) carrying 60kg, despite Grills being a little concerned about striking a firm surface."It was in our plans to go to this race again because he's only second-up from a little break and it's not too far for us to travel (from Tamworth) which is good," Grills said
An attempt at back-to-back wins on Scone Cup day holds much more appeal for Border Rebel's trainer Sue Grills than taking on the world's best sprinter in Brisbane.
Border Rebel will take his place in Friday's $100,000 Scone Quality (1100m) carrying 60kg, despite Grills being a little concerned about striking a firm surface.
"It was in our plans to go to this race again because he's only second-up from a little break and it's not too far for us to travel (from Tamworth) which is good," Grills said.
"I'm a little bit concerned the track might be a bit hard for him but the other option was to go to Brisbane and race against Black Caviar and Hay List (in the BTC Cup) when he wasn't fully fit yet.
"He would be no hope of winning, so there was no sense in travelling up there for that."
Border Rebel returned from an 11-week let-up to win the Listed Hinkler Quality (1200m) by 1-3/4-lengths with 60kg on April 23 at Eagle Farm.
He won the same race 12 months ago by 3-1/2-lengths with five kilograms less before winning at Scone with 53.5kg.
Grills believes the reigning NSW Country Horse of the Year has returned to work "as good as ever" this preparation.
"I thought he was very impressive the other day," Grills said.
"Listen Son took him on and had six kilos less but at the furlong (200m) Border Rebel just kicked away and Tim (Bell) was easing him down at the finish.
"He's improved since and he's dropping back 100 metres as well so he's plenty fit enough for this race."
While Grills opted out of the BTC Cup (1200m) the plan is for Border Rebel to take on Black Caviar and Hay List in the Group One Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on May 28.
A luckless second in the QTC Cup (1300m) last year in Brisbane cost Border Rebel a start in the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) but Grills plans to give the five-year-old his chance in the Queensland feature next month.
"If all goes well he'll start in the Doomben 10,000 after this race at Scone and then the Stradbroke (on June 11)," Grills said.
Border Rebel, winner of 13 of his 21 starts and over $500,000 prize money, is the $2.70 favourite to go back-to-back in the Scone Quality.
Atomic Force, winner of the Group One Galaxy at Randwick over 1100 metres two starts back, is second favourite at $4.40.