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It would be unfair to brand the first two weeks of the Australian Cup Carnival as an entrée to this week’s massive triple header of Group 1 action, but looking at the fields that have been assembled this weekend, that just may be the case.

The storylines are plentiful with Tim Zoo & Raider’s Guide looking to go back-to-back in the Australian Cup and Rookie Rebel respectively, The return of the king – Palawa King – as he steps out in the Rookie Rebel at The Meadows for just the second time since that run and the next generation of stayer, Unreal Speed, who is heading into the G1 Fanta Bale just third up after an eight-month spell.

Three group-1’s; Australian Cup, Rookie Rebel & Fanta Bale are clearly the headline acts but the support card adds plenty of intrigue.

Tribeca headlines the Vic Bred maiden series after two dazzling performances since stepping up to the 525m, while the Australian Cup consolation, albeit small in nominations, is headlined by the Australian Cup reserves; Smooth Plane for Team Dailly & Amron Tiger for Brooke Ennis.

Click Here for this week’s Fields.

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The Australian Cup of 2025 will have it all; speed v strength, class v power and of course, the reigning champ defending his crown.

After last week’s four phenomenal Australian Cup semi-finals, the field was set, and what a field it is; Vincent Bale, Zipping Hopkins, Mepunga Tully, Flying Zulu, Tim Zoo, Deadly Avenger, Excavation & Canya All Class.

Some pundits, before that green light is even turned on, are expecting the 2025 edition of The Australian Cup to go down as one of the all-time classics; a fair statement given the race’s storied history since the first running back in 1958.

Mepunga Tully, Flying Zulu, Deadly Avenger and Excavation all featured in the Top 10 fastest first sectionals from last week’s blockbuster program, and are all drawn alongside each other from boxes 4-7 so expect the sparks to fly in the first 50 metres.

Then it will be up to the likes of Canya All Class, Tim Zoo, Vincent Bale & Zipping Hopkins, who all featured in the Top 10 of the ‘run home’ category last week, to cut loose towards the back end of the 525m journey.

Join Jason Adams & Corey Smith as they take you through the G1 Sportsbet Australian Cup.

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Will it be a case of The Raider v The King?

Last year’s champion Raider’s Guide will look to become the first greyhound in the 22-year history of the Rookie Rebel to go back-to-back in the 600m feature. The Tasmanian, who was a dominant winner of last year’s edition from the widest of draws, will exit from Box 7 in this week’s Group 1.

Drawn on the other end of the starting boxes is a greyhound that you could argue has put ‘bums in seats’ more than any other in the last 18 months – Palawa King – who returns to the scene of some of his most impressive racetrack performances as he continues his comeback from injury.

The likes of Zipping Kai (G1 Hume Cup winner), Stomping & Ethanol Volume are all proven at this level while Warm Cockles & Paw Vortex were ultra-impressive in their 600m debuts last week and Shake It Off looks to give Robin Moore his first Group 1 winner after some superb recent form over this distance range.

Join Jason Adams & Corey Smith as they take you through the G1 Sportsbet Rookie Rebel.

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We are set for an ‘unreal’ edition of the Fanta Bale


All the chatter leading up to the G1 staying features in February was about the changing of the staying guard – Valpolicella was staying in Queensland, Palawa King & Canya All Class were targeting other races, Ritza Piper & Drill Sergeant had retired and unfortunate injuries had occurred to the likes of Canya Amy, Ella’s Babe & Aunt Virginia, while Lanfranco & Black Silencer were one and done after the Zoom Top.

The staying ranks were begging for a greyhound to put their hand up as the star of the future, and we might not have to beg too much longer. Could the next staying star announce themselves on Saturday night?

The early favourite for the Group 1 staying feature comes armed with one hell of a story; bred with staying features in mind, trained by the greatest trainer of stayers in recent memory, then an injury-enforced eight-month lay off before heading straight back into Group 1 racing. His name? Unreal Speed; the fastest qualifier from last week’s heats who is now third-up and set to peak on the biggest of stages.

He will face stiff competition from Group 1 winner’s Ethanol Water & Irish Millie, Jeff Britton’s tough trio Pass Mark, Groovebird & Shake and Bake while the up-and comer’s, Flying Envy & NSW star Late Night News will also look to spoil the Britton party.

Join Jason Adams & Corey Smith as they take you through the G1 Sportsbet Fanta Bale.

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Click Here for a recap of last week’s data

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