Nordic Rebel has won 10 races, and for seven of those victories Gavin Lerena has been in the irons.
In spite of his age – the son of Rebel King will turn nine on 1 August – this Erico Verdonese-trained gelding is as spritely as a three-year-old.
He has won his last two starts and with just 56.5kg on his back could make it three wins in a row, especially with Lerena back in the irons for Race 5, a merit rated 96 Handicap over 1450m on the Turffontein inside track on Tuesday.
There is one concern. While Nordic Rebel has run 13 times at this course, and although he has placed on six of those occasions, he has yet to chalk up a victory at the track.
He also jumps from No 8 draw which is not ideal, however, he likes to run on from off the pace and as long as he does not end up too far back, Nordic Rebel is unlikely to be badly impeded by his barrier position.
Cape Town-based trainer Brett Crawford has set up a satellite yard in Johannesburg and it is run by his son James. The stable has been doing extremely well in the last few months and they have Irish Tractor in this line-up.
The four-year-old son of Vercingetorix has raced three times since arriving on the Highveld for one win, and second place and a fast-finishing sixth behind Indlamu last time, although he was beaten just two lengths.
Drawn widest of all on that occasion, he ended up too far back, and despite producing the fastest time over the final 400m, he was unable to get to the leaders in time.
This time he is beautifully drawn in barrier No 2 and there should be no excuses.
Stone Cold is well above average and in his last start, which was in the Listed Wolf Power Handicap over 1600m, did well to finish second behind Al Muthana, although he was beaten 5.25 lengths.
The race was run in very soft conditions which may not have been ideal for Stone Cold, but he should enjoy this 1450m and is expected to be competitive, although he is returning from a short break.
Clive Robinson
