Proven Impala Takes The 2013 Group 1 Rookie Rebel
The Joe Borg-trained Proven Impala once again highlighted her class with a brilliant 34.22 win in the Group 1 Macro Meats Rookie Rebel over 600 metres at The Meadows.
The black chaser began well from her favourable draw of two, finding a position behind tearaway leader Cailyn Bale with a lap to run. With the leader carving out amazing splits of 8.85 and 21.82, Proven Impala stuck to her task, slowly wearing down Cailyn Bale in the home straight while holding off a late challenge from Metz Magic to win in a very fast 34.22.
The daughter of Velocette and Thanks Blue won the Group 1 event by three quarters of length ahead of Metz Magic, with Cailyn Bale a further two lengths away in third. Second favourite Jethro ($3.70) missed the start and chased the field home, finishing last.
Owned by Larissa Darragh, Proven Impala enhanced her record to 21 wins from 56 starts, improving her prizemoney tally to $178,820.
The Group racing continues at The Meadows next week with heats of the Group 1 Macro Meats Superstayers (725 metres) and heats of the Group 1 Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Australian Cup, this year worth $250,000 to the winner.