Fernando Cazz Reigns Supreme In Rookie Rebel

FERNANDO Cazz capped off a meteoric rise for young trainer Kayla Cottrell by annexing the Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) on Saturday night.

BRILLIANT middle distance chaser Fernando Cazz capped off a meteoric rise through the training ranks for 18-year-old Kayla Cottrell with a gritty victory in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.

In the lead up to the $75,000-to-the-winner invitation, Cottrell had been grabbing all the headlines, with the prospect she could become the youngest greyhound trainer to win a group 1 event.

And it was a storyline that went according to script, Fernando Cazz, a daughter of Fernando Bale, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths over NSW visitor Cawbourne Footrot in a time of 34.23.

Early leader Mepunga Isla stuck on well for third with trainer Adam Richardson the daughter of Cosmic Rumble will now go for a well earned break.

Fernando Cazz recorded her sixth win from her past eight starts with her dazzling group 1 victory, the performance continuing what has been a successful card of racing in the past for the family.

Last year, Perfect Marshall, trained by Kayla's mother Janet, won the Rookie Rebel, while back in 2010, top stayer Drill ‘Em, trained by Kayla's father Dave Knocker, won the Zoom Top in fantastic fashion.

Fernando Cazz's Rookie Rebel triumph was made all the more spectacular by the fact she did it from off the pace.

Owned by the Hunter racing syndicate, Fernando Cazz (May '19 Fernando Bale x Naughty Cazza) registered her 10th win, with six seconds and two thirds, from 28 starts and her stakes escalated to $123,340.

"She's a very consistent chaser, and to be a young trainer coming through the ranks it makes this night very special," Kayla beamed.

“I'm lost for words to be honest. The whole week has just been so full on – it means so much to get the result tonight.

“She's a special little chaser that's for sure.”

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