Rookie Rebel Hero's Racing Career All But Over

GROUP 1 Rookie Rebel hero Dookie Devil has more than likely run his last race after succumbing to a hock injury in a semi-final of the Country Classic at Dubbo on Saturday night.

It proved a mixed night for travelling Victorian trainer Glenn Dainton who qualified Dookie Devil's sister Jackpot Joan for the $125,000-to-the-winner finale just a race before his star galloper broke down in the run as a $2.80 favourite.

"The main thing is that he's going to be okay but it's more than likely it for his racing career," a philosophical Dainton said.

"There was a loose fragment in his outside hock and a pin has been inserted and it's in a cast now.

"We'll turn to rehab now and in six months time if everything goes to plan we might look at giving him a go to return but it's more unlikely than likely at this stage."

Dookie Devil, a son of Fernando Bale and Nicky Neo, went into Saturday night's Country Classic semi-finals on the strength of a come from the clouds qualifying heat victory at Temora.

What a finish! ?

G1 Rookie Rebel winner Dookie Devil has come with a barnstorming run to take out the @Temoragreys #CountryClassic heat in 32.98 from Jackpot Joan, Punter's Bandit + If You Say!

Results: https://t.co/0DqXjGFE7O#thedogs @WatchDogRacing @GRV_News @MelbourneGreys pic.twitter.com/m4bViQiacx

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 2, 2023

That success extended the powerhouse chaser's record to 13 wins and eight placings from just 28 starts, his crowning glory his victory last month in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows.

"We probably never got the chance to see the absolute best of him," Dainton added.

"But he's been a great dog to us and he's got a place here for life. He's still a young dog so there is a small window he'll race again but being realistic they rarely come back the same."

While understandably disappointed about Dookie Devil's all but career ending injury, the Cosgrove conditioner is looking forward to returning to Dubbo this Saturday night with Jackpot Joan to contest the Country Classic decider.

The gifted galloper qualified when finishing second to Tania Keeping in semi-final two.

"Saturday night was a great night with great people and everyone there couldn't have done enough for you," Dainton said.

"After Dookie Devil's injury the vet was fantastic and (club president) Shayne Stiff couldn't have been more helpful either. 

"When things like this happen it's easy to blame this and that but the fact is these things happen in racing. The track was fine, these things just happen sometimes, especially with good dogs."

With a red hot field to contest the rich Country Classic decider, Dainton says Jackpot Joan will need luck.

"I'd say a place is our best chance," he said.

"But she is a real trier and will give everything she's got. If there's a bit of trouble she'll do what she needs to do to get into the race.

"We are in there with a chance but being honest probably a bit outclassed."