THE Rookie Rebel is a Group 1 greyhound race run and won over the 600m trip at The Meadows.
Unlike most features, the Rookie Rebel field is decided by an expert panel who hand-pick each runner based on their previous performances, rather than by competing in qualifying heats.
The race is run as a part of the Australian Cup carnival throughout February-March and is held on the same night as the Australian Cup and Fanta Bale Stayers.
The most recent edition of the Group 1 Rookie Rebel was taken out by Thomas Dailly’s Ethanol Volume in 2025.
Currently no odds are out for the 2026 Rookie Rebel.
Currently the field is not out for the 2026 Rookie Rebel
Because it is a group 1 event, there is always enormous betting interest surrounding the Rookie Rebel. Consequently, all of our recommended online bookmakers offer fixed odds betting on the feature soon after the final field and box draw have been confirmed.
By releasing the odds so early, punters are able to do their form and shop around to get the best possible price for their chosen runner by comparing odds between bookmakers.
There are no markets available for the 2026 Rookie Rebel, but be sure to check this page in the weeks leading up to the event for the best bookie prices available.
The Group 1 Rookie Rebel is named after an immortal of the sport which was whelped in NSW back in December 1954.
Despite starting his career in NSW, the majority of Rookie Rebel’s racing career was in Victoria, with his major race wins being in the Australian Cup, the Melbourne Cup, and the Hobart Thousand – to this day he is the only greyhound to have saluted in all three events.
Rookie Rebel, a white and fawn son of Dream’s Image and Lady Janellen, retired in 1958 with 67 starts for 36 wins, 17 seconds, and six thirds. Because of his stellar deeds on the track, Rookie Rebel was inducted into the Australian Greyhound Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2002.
A year after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association named a race in honour of Rookie Rebel over the middle distance trip at The Meadows.
The inaugural running of the Rookie Rebel was a listed feature and was won by No Shame, defeating a quality field including Oh Behave and Isa Brown by three and a half lengths.
The first running of the race was worth just $10,000 – a measly amount compared to its current winner’s cheque of $75,000.
The Rookie Rebel first received Group 1 status in 2013 when taken out by Joe Borg’s former classy stayer, Proven Impala.
Since its introduction, the Rookie Rebel has been won by some top class fliers including Malfoy, Paua To Burn, Train A Journey, Bo Frazier, My Bro Fabio and Dyna Double One.
February 22, 2025. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Ethanol Volume (Droopys Sydney x My Ethanol) Born: March 2022 BE Dog
Trainer: Thomas Dailly
Time: 34.07 seconds. Margin: 4.75 lengths
Second: Raider’s Guide
2025 Rookie Rebel Box Draw & Field The Meadows 600m Group 1 $75,000 to-the-winner Saturday, February 22, 2025
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1 Palawa King
T: Raymond SmithF: 12327Career: 76: 31-15-14Prizemoney: $1,103,875
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2 Ethanol Volume
T: Thomas DaillyF: 44584Career: 63: 17-11-9Prizemoney: $210,325
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3 Warm Cockles
T: David BurnettF: 32563Career: 35: 38: 9-8-5Prizemoney: $40,585
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4 Shake It Off
T: Robin MooreF: 41115Career: 41: 17-2-2Prizemoney: $86,915
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5 Stomping
T: Michelle MalliaF: 21112Career: 55: 19-11-6Prizemoney: $185,908
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6 Zipping Kai
T: Thomas DaillyF: 61471Career: 42: 10-6-6Prizemoney: $134,810
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7 Raider’s Guide
T: Gary FaheyF: 17751Career: 70: 36-14-5Prizemoney: $400,235
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8 Paw Vortex
T: Samantha GrenfellF: 65541Career: 22: 9-3-2Prizemoney: $73,495
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9 Tully Luna
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 35424Career: 51: 11-8-11Prizemoney: $86,723
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10 Utrillo Bale
T: Samantha GrenfellF: 32117Career: 44: 12-11-5Prizemoney: $73,620
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February 24, 2024. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Raider’s Guide (Zambora Brockie x Sacred Shadow) Born: Nov 2020 Black Dog
Trainer: Gary Fahey
Time: 34.17 seconds. Margin: 8.00 lengths
Second: Father Rick
February 11, 2023. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Dookie Devil (Fernando Bale x Nicky Neo) Born: Apr 2021 Black Dog
Trainer: Glenn Dainton
Time: 34.28 seconds. Margin: 3.06 lengths
Second: Jarick Bale
February 12, 2022. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Jarick Bale (Allen Deed x Houston Bale) Born: Mar 2020 Black Dog
Trainer: Mark Delbridge
Time: 34.02 seconds. Margin: 1.46 lengths
Second: Aston Ulysses
February 13, 2021. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Fernando Cazz (Fernando Bale x Naughty Cazza) Born: Dec 2018 Black Bitch
Trainer: Kayla Cottrell
Time: 34.23 seconds. Margin: 1.26 lengths
Second: Cawborne Footrot
February 15, 2020. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Perfect Marshall (Barcia Bale x Perfect Tess) Born: Jan 2018 Black Dog
Trainer: Janet Cottrell
Time: 34.36 seconds. Margin: 0.69 lengths
Second: Rajasthan
February 16, 2019. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Deliver (Fernando Bale x Tarks Nemesis) Born: May 2017 Black Dog
Trainer: Seona Thompson
Time: 34.19 seconds. Margin: 2.46 lengths
Others in finishing order: Blackjack Neo, Neo Cleo, Dinny Crane, Blue Striker, Ella Enchanted, Blue Moon Rising, Van Ann.
IN form racer Dyna Dean (Kiowa Mon Manny x Prue Bale Jun ’15) gave husband and wife training team Mark and Lisa Delbridge their first success at the top level when recording an emphatic victory in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel.
Coming up against a cracking field, Dyna Dean was sent to the boxes as a $12 shot off box four, despite having won four of his past six starts over the middle distance coming into the race.
When the lids flew open Dyna Dean made it a one act affair, racing straight to the front and leading all the way to defeat Chasin Crackers (Fabregas x Lady Arko Aug ’15) by 3.87 lengths in a handy 34.31.
2018 Rookie Rebel results
February 17, 2018. 17/02/2018 The Meadows First Prize:$75,000
Winner: Dyna Dean( Kiowa Mon Manny X Prue Bale)Black Dog. DOB:25/06/2015
Trainer: Mark Delbridge Owner: Brendan Wheeler
Winning Time: 34.30
Others in Finishing Order: CHASIN’ CRACKERS, WHERE ART THOU, EXTREME MAGIC, HENRY, HECTON BALE, ROYAL INTENTION, BRUEGHELINO.
A dominant all-the-way performance saw Fanta Bale take out the most recent edition of the Rookie Rebel, defeating a gallant Blazin’ Bomber in 34.16. It was her second group 1 win over the track and trip, having taken out the Hume Cup over 600m at The Meadows in October 2016.
2017 Hume Cup results
February 18, 2017. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Fanta Bale (David Bale x Ucme Typhoon) Born: Aug 2014 Black Bitch
Owner: Paul Wheeler, Trainer: Robert Britton.
Time: 34.16. Margins: 1.6 x 3.13.
Others in finishing order: Blazin Bomber, Extreme Magic, Cyndie’s Magic, Dundee Osprey, Buck Forty, Hit The Highway, Reefton Treasurer.
Champion greyhound Dyna Double One won the 2016 running of the Rookie Rebel, taking his career record to 29 wins from 52 starts. The son of Barcia Bale and Crystin Bale defeated Golden Easter Egg winner Moreira by five lengths in a near-record 34.00.
2016 Rookie Rebel Results
February 20, 2016. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Dyna Double One (Barcia Bale x Crystin Bale) Born: March 2013 Black Dog
Owner: Brendan Wheeler. Trainer: Andrea Dailly.
Time: 34. Margins: 5 x 11.53.
Others in finishing order: Moriera, Sisco Rage, Cosmic Owl, Xtreme Knocka, Lithgow Panther, Grand Intention, Polijuice Potion.
WA-owned bitch Cosmic Wise gave breeder/owner Justin Wright his biggest thrill in greyhound racing when taking out the 2015 Rookie Rebel. The Jeff Britton-trained powerhouse worked hard to run down quality bitch Lamia Bale to win the race at double figure odds.
2015 Rookie Rebel results
February 21, 2015. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Cosmic Wise (Cosmic Chief x Wise Penny) Born Sept 2011 Black Bitch
Owner: Brona Lane Racing, Trainer: Jeffrey Britton.
Time: 34.45. Margins 2.25.
Others in finishing order: Lamia Bale, Sisco Rage, Waymore’s Blues, Ralphy Cinel, Echelonic Action, Ride the Rails, Star Recall.
Team Dailly saluted in the 2014 edition of the Rookie Rebel with the ultra-consistent Hawk Alone.
Starting from box eight, the black dog was able to stalk the leader in the early stages before making his move mid-race, levelling up to the leader on the home turn before bursting clear to score. Clocking 34.65, Hawk Alone defeated one of the best fields to have contested the race including champion sprinter-turned-stayer Xylia Allen.
2014 Rookie Rebel results
February 15, 2014. The Meadows MGRA First Prize $75,000
Winner: Hawk Alone (Westmead Hawk x Glamorous Jade) Aug 2011 Black Dog
Owner: Mark Rodgers. Trainer: Andrea Daily.
Time: 34.65. Margins 0.38 x 1.35
Others in finishing order: Spirited Flame, General Destini, Lektra Grey, Xylia Allen, Daintree Emperor, Alpe D’Huez, Bookkeeper.
| Date | Winner | Trainer | Distance | Boxes | Margin | Time | Second | Track |
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| 2003 | No Shame | Steve McKenna | 600m | 5,2,1 | 3-1/2L | 34.52sec | Greasy Grizzly | MEA |
| 2004 | Shamira Bale | George Dailly | 600m | 1,3,4 | 3-1/2L | 34.91sec | No Shame | MEA |
| 2005 | Malfoy | Christine Oldfield | 600m | 7,6,1 | 5-1/2L | 34.47sec | Little Things | MEA |
| 2006 | Paua To Burn | Steven Bruce White | 600m | 1,9,8 | 10-1/4L | 34.16sec | Benowa Rocket | MEA |
| 2007 | Train A Journey | John Galea | 600m | 1,3,5 | 2-3/4L | 34.44sec | Indian Larry | MEA |
| 2008 | Jamazz | Anthony Tabone | 600m | 1,8,5 | 2-1/4L | 34.56sec | Sweet Fancy | MEA |
| 2009 | Bo Frazier | David Geall | 600m | 8,4,2 | 4-1/4L | 34.34sec | Special Sign | MEA |
| 2010 | Flash Of Light | Mark Delbridge | 600m | 8,6,3 | 1L | 34.48sec | Aint Workin’ | MEA |
| 2011 | Symmetry | Robert Britton | 600m | 7,6,1 | 2L | 34.68sec | Birthday Boy | MEA |
| 2012 | Lektra Jay | Andrea Dailly | 600m | 8,1,2 | 2-3/4L | 34.40sec | Strong Intention | MEA |
| 2013 | Proven Impala | Joe Borg | 600m | 2,1,4 | 0.76L | 34.22sec | Metz Magic | MEA |
| 2014 | Hawke Alone | Andrea Dailly | 600m | 8,1,2 | 0.38L | 34.65sec | Spirited Flame | MEA |
| 2015 | Cosmic Wise | Jeffrey Britton | 600m | 8,7,4 | 2.25L | 34.45sec | Lamia Bale | MEA |
| 2016 | Dyna Double One | Andrea Dailly | 600m | 1,3,5 | 5.01L | 34.00sec | Moreira | MEA |
| 2017 | Fanta Bale | Robert Britton | 600m | 3,5,9 | 1.61L | 34.16sec | Blazin’ Bomber | MEA |
| 2018 | Dyna Dean | Mark Delbridge | 600m | 4,1,6 | 3.87L | 34.31sec | Chasin’ Crackers | MEA |
| 2019 | Deliver | Seona Thompson | 600m | 3,1,9 | 2.46L | 34.19sec | Blackjack Neo | MEA |
| 2020 | Perfect Marshall | Janet Cottrell | 600m | 1,3,2 | 0.69L | 34.36sec | Rajasthan | MEA |
| 2021 | Fernando Cazz | Kayla Cottrell | 600m | 3,9,2 | 1.26L | 34.23sec | Cawborne Footrot | MEA |
| 2022 | Jarick Bale | Mark Delbridge | 600m | 3,6,4 | 1.46L | 34.02sec | Aston Ulysses | MEA |
| 2023 | Dookie Devil | Glenn Dainton | 600m | 7,3,4 | 3.06L | 34.28sec | Jarick Bale | MEA |
| 2024 | Raider’s Guide | Gary Fahey | 600m | 8,4,1 | 8.00L | 34.17sec | Father Rick | MEA |
| 2025 | Ethaol Volume | Thomas Dailly | 600m | 2,7,8 | 4.75L | 34.07sec | Raider’s Guide | MEA |
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