Lightly raced four-year-old Riviera Rebel showed his undoubted affinity for his home track when he made it three wins from just four starts there in taking out the feature event at Riverton, the Dynes Transport Tapanui Cup (1200m), on New Year's Day.

Stakes placed in his three-year-old campaign when third in the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m), the Graham Eade and Brooke Kincaid-prepared son of Pure Champion hadn’t been seen since finishing runner-up over 2000m at Gore back in October.

Despite the two-month break, Riviera Rebel stripped a fit horse for the 1200m contest and raced accordingly for rider Kylie Williams, who took him to a clear lead after 300m and set a solid speed out in front.

It was soon apparent he was travelling like a winner rounding the home bend as Williams kicked him clear before coasting to the line to score by three lengths from The Good Shepherd and Go Lotte, who fought out the minor placings.

Co-trainer and part owner Eade, who indicated earlier in the week he was eyeing up the lucrative Southern Cups Bonus series with his charge, was delighted to see him kick off his campaign in fine style.

“His work has been really good, although I was a little worried about the 1200m,” he said.

“He is just blooming and we put the blinkers on him because of the distance. He drew 10 but Kylie got him out and she did really well.

“We will take him home and see how he pulls up, but we will be looking at a mile for him next I would think.”

The Southern Cups Bonus series begins in February with the Gore Cup (2000m) before it moves onto the Invercargill Cup (2600m), Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m), Wyndham Cup (2000m) and culminates with the Riverton Cup (2147m) on April 19.

Points are accrued throughout the series, with the winner of each racing earning five points, three points for second, and two points for third, with the exception of the Riverton Cup, with the winner earning 12 points, runner-up six points, and third place four points.

The horse with the highest points at the conclusion of the series will be awarded a $50,000 winner takes all bonus.

Bred by Phillip Jeffreys, who also shares in his ownership, Rivera Rebel is the first foal of two-race winner Chambon and comes from a family that includes Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Sawatdee. He has now won four of his 17 starts and over $117,000 in prizemoney.