Rejig For Temlee, Rookie Rebel and Zoom Top

Since inception, the make-up of the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association's premier invitational events – the TAB Temlee (525m and $100,000 to-the-winner), TAB Rookie Rebel (600m and $75,000 to-the-winner) and TAB Zoom Top (725m and $75,000 to-the-winner) – have come together by means of selection.

For the 2022 editions, trainers, for the first time, can nominate dogs to be considered for the features which will be conducted at The Meadows on February 12.

"The changes to the invitational process for the TAB Temlee, TAB Rookie Rebel & TAB Zoom Top are designed to enhance the prestige surrounding the invitational events during the TAB Australian Cup Carnival," MGRA Charmian Eddie Caruana said.

Nominations close (with Greyhound Racing Victoria's Grading Department) on January 28 (at 10am) and, thereafter, a panel of MGRA representatives will fine tune applications (to 12 for each event) for GRV endorsement.

"We believe the ‘Top 12' element of the invitation process increases interest and will enhance the standing in which the races are held with the public," Caruana continued.

The features follow two weeks after MGRA's showcase sprint – the Group 1 TAB Australian Cup – in which the best sprinters in the land vie for a first prize of $300,000 on February 26.

An important addition to Australian Cup Final night at The Meadows a TAB Cup Consolation for seconds placed greyhounds in the February 19 semi final round.

The Cup consolation has been lifted to $25,000 to the winner and, on same night, the rich Victorian Bred Maiden Final will be decided.

West Australian star Tommy Shelby placed an exclamation point on his resume with a last-bound win over Fernando Bluey in the Australian Cup last year.

On the same program, Aston Rupee, at his first start at the track, posted a remarkable 29.47 in the Country Championship Final to score by five lengths – his time .39 or more than five lengths quicker than Tommy Shelby's gritty cup effort.