Queenslander Daysea’s Rory has made a name for himself over 500 metres right around Australia, but on Saturday night he steps up to the middle distance in the Group 1 Sportsbet Rookie Rebel – despite never having had a start over the journey.
The Sportsbet Rookie Rebel is a best-eight field selected by a panel appointed by the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association (The Meadows). So how does a greyhound who hasn’t raced over 600 metres in his 84-start career find his way into the field?
Enter the promotional and realistic chances of winning clause – and what an inclusion it is.
The clause states that “the panel can consider non-form metrics such as whether a greyhound’s inclusion adds to the promotion of the event and the sport in general.”
It’s a clause designed for your Wow She’s Fast-type greyhounds – the stars that make the sport easier to sell and impossible to ignore.
And while Daysea’s Rory isn’t a Wow She’s Fast, he’s a crowd favourite, he’s got the looks, and he’s got the profile – and he very much deserves his spot in this year’s Sportsbet Rookie Rebel.
After all, we’re talking about it, aren’t we?
MGRA Racing Manager Corey Smith said during the box draws for the three Group 1 events today that there were plenty who felt Daysea’s Rory shouldn’t feature.
“We think we’ve made the right call, and we believe he adds something to the race,” Smith said.
With the likes of Accredited and Caco Magic sidelined through injury, it has created room for greyhounds like Daysea’s Rory to step into the spotlight.
And if he’s been nominated, that tells you trainer Tom Tzouvelis is confident he can compete – even at the very top level.
The Sportsbet Rookie Rebel is one of three Group 1 events to be run at The Meadows on Saturday night.
