‘Fast' Trial Has Minardi Primed For Rookie Rebel

SATURDAY night's Australian Cup meeting at The Meadows has all the ingredients to be a cracker.

And Tasmania is set to be well represented on the showpiece night with Fast Minardi and Raider's Guide set for battle in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m).

FIELDS AND FORM THE MEADOWS SATURDAY NIGHT

Not since 2008 when littermates Chinatown Lad and Fallen Zorro finished first and second in the Group 1 Sandown Cup has the Apple Isle had such a strong contingent in a group 1 distance feature.

Fast Minardi has drawn box one in the $75,000-to-the-winner Rookie Rebel where he's been installed as the $3.50 favourite.

Loira trainer Paul Hili reported this week the track record breaking son of Fernando Bale is all systems go heading into the assignment.

Connections elected for a hit-and-run effort last week at The Meadows over 600-metres, with Fast Minardi putting up a ferocious effort over Beach Bourbski to run out an 8-3/4 length victory in 34.27.

“He had a bad run at The Meadows prior in the Hume Cup heats, getting hit and bumped sideways, last week was more a trial run and giving him another look there and remind people what he can do,” Paul said.

The freshly crowned 2023 Tasmanian Greyhound of the Year shows exactly why, as Fast Minardi wins the Group 2 @ladbrokescomau Launceston Cup Final!

A brilliant run with a winning time of 29.30s pic.twitter.com/nNDaZfeXhn

— Tasracing Australia (@TasracingAus) January 27, 2024

“We trialled Fast Minardi after the last at Launceston on Monday night, he went 23.90s post-to-post which indicates he is flying heading into the Rookie Rebel. He pulled up really well and now we're all ready to go.”

The 2024 edition of the Rookie Rebel has attracted a phenomenal field, with the likes of Cain Bale (box 2), Hector Fawley (box 5), Father Rick (box 4) while the other Tassie hope Raider's Guide has drawn box eight.

“We just hope he begins from box one, ideally Fast Minardi would have to jump and hold them out or sit second behind Father Rick (4) who looks to be the early leader,” Hili said.

On an exciting night for Tasmanian greyhound racing, the Group 1 Australian Cup Final box draw sees Tassie-bred chaser My Magic Man drawn in box four.

Corporate bookmakers have rated the son of Superior Panama the $31 outsider for Lara trainer Brookie Ennis and Dilston-based owner Pat Ryan, with Group 1 Gold Bullion winner Morton the $2.70 favourite.

G1 Rookie Rebel Box Draw; 1 Fast Minardi $3.40, 2 Cain Bale $3.80, 3 Succeed $7, 4 Father Rick $13, 5 Hector Fawley $3.90, 6 Fabs Vegetable $41, 7 Stomping $9, 8 Raider's Guide $9.

G1 Australian Cup Box Draw; 1 Tim Zoo $3.50, 2 Schillaci $11, 3 Launch Code $9, 4 My Magic Man $31, 5 Morton $2.70, 6 Alpha Zulu $4.60, 7 Mepunga Smokey $18, 8 Fernando Phil $8.50.