Rookie Rebel betting
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 invitation only Temlee and Zoom Top over 525m and 725m respectively.
The most recent edition of the Group 1 Rookie Rebel was won by Fanta Bale for Rob Britton.
Betting on the Group 1 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 2018 Rookie Rebel, but be sure to check this page in the weeks leading up to the event for the best bookie prices available.
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Group 1 Rookie Rebel – history
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.
Group 1 Rookie Rebel – the recent years
2017: 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.
2016: 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.
2015: WA-owned bitch 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.
2014: 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.
Group 1 Rookie Rebel – honour roll
2003 No Shame
2004 Shamira Bale
2005 Malfoy
2006 Paua To Burn
2007 Train A Journey
2008 Jamazz
2009 Bo Frazier
2010 Flash Of Light
2011 Symmetry
2012 Lektra Jay
2013 Proven Impala
2014 Hawk Alone
2015 Cosmic Wise
2016 Dyna Double One
2017 Fanta Bale