Golden Win Has Bettina In Rookie Rebel Mix

THE chances of Golden Sands victor Velocity Bettina being invited to and running in the Rookie Rebel at The Meadows rests entirely with Kevin Ellis.

THE chances of Thursday night's Group 3 Golden Sands victor Velocity Bettina being invited to and then running in the upcoming Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows rests entirely with trainer Kevin Ellis.

Velocity Bettina (Zambora Brockie-Velocity Shirl) ran down Defy on the line to win the $40,000-to-the-winner 600m final at Albion Park on Thursday night to give breeder-owner Steve Williams the quinella.

Williams was high in praise of both dogs and their trainers.

“They have all done a great job, but Velocity Bettina continues to improve and improve,” he said.

It was the bitch's 20th race start for her 10th victory and $89,000 in stakes.

She had previously won the Ipswich Futurity in a scorching, near record 30.09, and been a finalist in the Queensland Futurity and Ipswich Gold Cup.

The Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) will be run at The Meadows on February 15 and is an invitation only event, but coming off the Group 3 600m victory, Velocity Bettina will almost certainly be among the invitees.

“I'm not sure Kevin will be keen to take her away from her home kennel and to a strange environment, but I will leave all those decisions to him,” said Steve.

Ellis has been a “private trainer” for Steve Williams since his return to the training ranks about six years ago.

He had been long-time foreman for the Dave Palmer kennel at Morayfield during the "hay-day" of Gabba and early Albion Park racing.

While Williams was overjoyed by Velocity Bettina's performance, he was also happy with the run of Defy who had originally been trained in Queensland by Glenn Smith and his partner Tricia. Glenn died late last year.

“All credit to them for getting Defy going as a young dog,” said Steve.

Defy (Keybow-Velocity Storm) is now trained by Robyn Goodwin in NSW and has won eight races for her.

 

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