Written by Paul Vettise
Lloyd’s Crown (Rebel Dane) has quickly moved on from a false start to his career and his performance at Moonee Valley on Saturday will most likely determine his spring 3-year-old program.
The Rebecca Waymouth-trained youngster failed his first serious test, although it was through no fault of his own, and his ability has since shone through to earn him a crack at the Mia Kleer Hand Sanitiser H.
Lloyd’s Crown overcame an early hiccup to finish runner-up on debut at Pakenham and then had no trouble breaking his maiden at his next start at Sandown in late May, which earned him time off in the paddock.
“He has been fantastic and is very unassuming. We gave him his first trial which was a bit woeful after he pulled up shin sore,” Waymouth said.
“We tipped him out and brought him back and gave him another trial, which he won, and then we gave him one at Cranbourne and he won again.
“He is very tough and came through it well so we took him to Pakenham. He was really good that day after missing the kick and getting a little bit lost in a big field.
“I thought his (Lloyd’s Crown) Sandown win was really gutsy. He got there early and when he sensed the other horse coming at him he kept fighting." - Rebecca Waymouth
“He took good improvement from that and I thought his Sandown win was really gutsy. He got there early and when he sensed the other horse coming at him he kept fighting.
“He had three weeks in the paddock and we thought we would dip our toe into the water on Saturday and see where he’s at.”
Definitive race
Waymouth said the direction of Lloyd’s Crown’s spring campaign would be clearer after the weekend.
“There are a few options for him and we’ll wait and see how he comes through Saturday. There’s obviously the higher end of 3-year-old races and there’s an abundance of other races if we drop back a peg.
“There’s plenty of prizemoney to be won in Victoria. He’s a nice horse and with everything we’ve done with him he’s improved.”
Rebecca Waymouth
Lloyd’s Crown also enjoyed a spin around the course during the week and coped admirably.
“I thought his work at Moonee Valley on Tuesday was really strong. We didn’t want to do too much, it was more about him having a look around,” Waymouth said.
“I would have liked to have drawn a better marble on Saturday, but it is what it is. We’re very happy with how he is shaping up.”
Lloyd’s Crown was bred by Bob Tayton’s Hill Holme Lodge and placed with near neighbour Waymouth following advice not to send him to a yearling sale.
“We had the sales agents come and look at him and they thought he was a great type, but didn’t think he would bring the money to warrant putting him in given the cost of a sales prep,” Waymouth said.
“Luckily enough, Bob was in the position where he could keep him to race.”
The first Victorian metropolitan winner for Glen Eden Stud’s Rebel Dane, Lloyd’s Crown is a son of Mahogany Room (High Rolling), who was successful four times and is a half-sister to the G2 Perth Cup winner Cardinal Colours (Chief’s Crown {USA}).
Rebel Dane | Standing at Glen Eden Stud
