Masterclass Guides Dookie To Rebel Glory

UNDERRATED conditioner Glenn Dainton has produced a training masterclass to guide Dookie Devil to a stellar first-up victory in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.

Stepping out for the first time since catching the ire of stewards when runner-up to Jarick Bale in the Group 1 Sale Cup on Boxing Day, Dookie Devil was simply sensational in the middle distance showpiece, running his rivals ragged in a slick 34.28.

Scoring by 3 ¼ lengths, Dookie Devil turned the tables on Sale Cup hero Jarick Bale which finished a gallant runner-up following a stint on the sidelines, while El Dorado justified his place in the field with an eye-catching third.

Race favourite French Martini, following a moderate getaway from box one, failed to get into proceedings before finishing at the rear of the field when never out of bother.

DOOKIE'S ROOKIE

Middle-distance star DOOKIE DEVIL lands his first Group 1 in the @sportsbetcomau #RookieRebel at @MelbourneGreys.

The noted front-runner turned the tables on the mighty JARRICK BALE, whom he ran 2nd to in the Group 1 #SaleCup at his previous start. pic.twitter.com/WyDhDzsaek

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) February 11, 2023

In the lead up to Saturday night's Rookie Rebel, trainer Glenn Dainton told the Greyhound Recorder that his Sir John Dillon Memorial hero had been burning up the tracks in readiness for his racetrack return.

Dainton elected to produce the son of Fernando Bale first-up in the $75,000-to-the-winner invitational following the Sale indiscretion which he elected to appeal with the Victorian Racing Tribunal.

After that appeal was unsuccessful, Dainton quickly moved on from the incident, focusing on preparing his hugely gifted charge for a successful return to the track.

The heroics of Dookie Devil in the Rookie Rebel is Dainton's second group 1 title, having annexed the Group 1 Hume Cup with Black Impala in 2018.

Coincidently, both events are staged at The Meadows over the 600 metre journey.

DEVIL IN THE DETAIL FOR DOOKIE'S REBEL PUSH

Dainton will now target Dookie Devil towards the rich Country Classic (605m) series which culminates at Dubbo on March.

Worth $150,000-to-the-winner, the event is the world's richest middle distance series.

Dookie Devil brought up a double for Dainton at The Meadows on Saturday night after Jackpot Joan scored earlier in the card, also over the 600 metre trip.