Blinkers will go on Rebel Raider in Saturday's Victoria Derby as trainer Leon Macdonald takes a leaf out of Mark Kavanagh's book.Kavanagh applied blinkers to Maldivian with stunning effect in the Cox Plate, citing the Zabeel factor in his breeding.Rebel Raider is by Reset, a son of Zabeel, and Macdonald feels blinkers will also help keep him focused but admits he's clutching at straws to find a way to beat the Kavanagh-trained Whobegotyou."He looks to have a mortgage on the race and on paper is
Blinkers will go on Rebel Raider in Saturday's Victoria Derby as trainer Leon Macdonald takes a leaf out of Mark Kavanagh's book.
Kavanagh applied blinkers to Maldivian with stunning effect in the Cox Plate, citing the Zabeel factor in his breeding.
Rebel Raider is by Reset, a son of Zabeel, and Macdonald feels blinkers will also help keep him focused but admits he's clutching at straws to find a way to beat the Kavanagh-trained Whobegotyou.
"He looks to have a mortgage on the race and on paper is unbeatable," Macdonald said.
"But funnier things have happened so we'll be there giving it a shot."
Rebel Raider ran third in last week's Geelong Classic (2206m) behind Derby rivals The Tiger and My Scotsgrey.
Caulfield Guineas winner Whobegotyou scored a devastating win in Saturday's AAMI Vase, a race which has been a significant pointer to the Derby.
The last six Victoria Derby winners have come through the 2040m race with Efficient (2006), Plastered (2004) and Helenus (2002) winning both races.
The Geelong Classic has produced just three dual winners since 1960 while three Classic placegetters - Omnicorp (1987) Bounty Hawk (1983) and Big Print (1979) - have won the Derby.
Helenus denied the Macdonald-trained Hydrometer victory by a short-half head. Hydrometer came through the Norman Robinson where he finished second to Platinum Scissors.
One thing Macdonald believes is in Rebel Raider's favour is that he should appreciate the 2500 metres of the Derby. But then again, so might Whobegotyou.
"No horse is unbeatable and my horse will stick on over a distance," Macdonald said.
"Whobegotyou looks like he will too but I'm hoping the extra distance will help Rebel Raider,
"I was a little bit disappointed at Geelong. Clare (Lindop) rode him perfectly but he had to give the winner two kilos and the runner-up three.
"This time they are all on the same weight."
Whobegotyou is still holding sway at $1.60 for the blue riband with Norman Robinson Stakes winner Pre Eminence at $7.50 and Larry's Never Late at $8.50, the only other horse under double figures.
Larry's Never Late was an unlucky fourth in the Norman Robinson.
The final field and barrier draw for the Derby will be declared on Wednesday.
Macdonald will decide after three-year-old Impressive Eagle works at Flemington on Tuesday whether she runs in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes or is saved for a race on Oaks day.
Group One-winning stablemate Serious Speed will definitely be at Flemington on Saturday where she contests the Group One Myer Classic for mares.