TAB Million Dollar Chase Grand Final
After 60 races at 15 venues across the State, the TAB Million Dollar Chase has come to an end, and what an end it was.
It was the perfect finale, with 6,380, the largest crowd seen at a greyhound meeting in decades, at Wentworth Park on Friday night for the culmination of what has been a magnificent series.
It was the Frank Hurst-trained Good Odds Harada triumphing in the Grand Final, with a brilliant all-the-way victory in a time of 29.34s, one of the fastest times run at headquarters over the past five years. Only track record holder Shakey Jakey, champion sprinter Fernando Bale, and the flying Victorian Benali, have gone faster than in that time.
Second went to Victorian Shima Shine, with Jason Mackay’s pair Get It Gizmo and Flying Bazza finishing third and fourth respectively.
It was a stunning performance, but many participants who have been frequenting dog tracks for years, were equally impressed by the atmosphere and crowd, and where the sport is headed.
Excellent community response throughout the regional side of the series across the State, five post-race concerts by leading country music performers Travis Collins and Adam Harvey at five regional venues, massive build-up in the mainstream media leading into the grand final, a television advertising campaign which saw the sport thrust into primetime, strategically situated around high-rating TV shows, and then on the night, Free-To Air Television coverage on 9Gem.
Just like last year’s inaugural winners Jodie and Peter Lagogiane, it was taking some time to sink in for Frank and his wife Tracey.
“The prizemoney is a million dollars, the atmosphere and the thrill and just having all the kids there and the family there, and all the well-wishers … that is priceless, you can’t buy that, that’s something that comes once in a lifetime, and we were fortunate enough to enjoy it and we’re still enjoying it,” Frank said. “That’s probably the biggest thing that has happened in our lives.”
The most important and significant thing for Frank Hurst is the injection of new people into the sport.
“I was probably just as happy when Peter won it last year as I am right now. He’s a good young guy and the sport is about young people. There is not enough in it, but they are coming over from everywhere. I’m training dogs for horse people now.
“I used to race for $40, and we were the poor citizens - there was the horses and the trots and we were down the bottom of the barrel. Yeah … the dishlickers.
“Well look at us now. Everyone wants to be involved in our sport now. We’re not the poor cousins now mate.”
Watch Good Odds Harada win the TAB Million Dollar Chase Grand Final here
Sydney Cup Final
She may have finished second in the night’s main event with Shima Shine, but leading Victorian trainer Andrea Dailly went home with one trophy after her greyhound Boom Down staged a spectacular win in the Group 3 Sydney Cup.
Having walked out of the boxes, and given the leader and favourite Blue Moon Rising the best part of six lengths up the back straight, the Victorian somehow reeled in the local, and with a dive on the line, got up by a half head in 42.00s.
Boom Down has had a lot of homes in his time, and after originally racing in NSW, switched to Victoria, before then heading west to Enzo Crudelli. The Daillys however took over the training recently to prepare him for the Sydney Cup.
“We have only had him for a few weeks,” said Andrea after the win. “The plan was to send him over for this race and it’s been a combined effort.”
Third in the Cup went to Luke Azzopardi’s Mrs Emgrand, seven lengths behind the first two.
Watch Boom Down win the Sydney Cup Final here
Masters Meteor Final
The Cheryl Murray-trained Blabba Mouth took a couple of steps up the victory dias in the final of the $100,000 to the winner Masters Meteor this year.
A year ago, Blabba Mouth finished third behind Cosmic Bonus in the inaugural Masters Meteor, but a stunning performance of Friday night saw the oldest dog in the field move from third step to top step.
“I’m not a crier,” Cheryl said. “I’m not a crier … but tonight, I’ve got tears.”
“I am so happy. Not about the money, I’m just so happy for him. He deserves this. What an old marvel he is.
“I can’t believe he has won it. Words can’t describe how I feel right now. I have been in the sport for a while, and I have never had a moment like this. I have never ever had a moment like this and it is just so good.”
Having won his heat in blistering fashion leading all the way, on Friday Blabba Mouth had to do it the harder way. Settling in fourth early, he stuck like glue to the fence, and got into second out of the back, then swinging for home, charged past the leader Kroes, and raced away for 1 ¼ length win in 29.89s.
Bad Ronnie ran on for second with Bogan Doonie also making up ground for third.
Watch Blabba Mouth win the Masters Meteor Final here
Young Star Classic Final
Troy Donaldson’s flying Jet Jackson improved his record to 12 wins from 14 starts with a dominant display in winning the $25,000 to the winner final of the Young Star Classic at Wentworth Park on Friday.
Taking full advantage of his box one draw, Jet Jackson held the fence and took the lead into the first turn and was able to hold off the late challenges from Electric Silk and Zipping Truvy to score in 29.93s, his best figures in three starts – all wins – at Wentworth Park.
Jet Jackson has now won nine in a row, and a bright future awaits this son of Magic Sprite and Midnight Carmen.
Watch Jet Jackson win the final of the Young Star Classic here
The Feral bounces back
On a night of feature races, and just 20 minutes after the main event, there was a special cheer saved for the winner of the last event on the program, the Regional Reward.
Many anticipated that the dog which won the $15,000 in that event would be collecting the million and the TAB Million Dollar Chase trophy. That was until the previous week when Feral Franky fell on the first turn of his semi-final.
But on Friday night the brother of Million Dollar Chase winner Goods Odds Harada brought another roar from the crowd.
Slowly away, The Feral stuck to the rails, and shouldered his way through at the first turn, getting into second then setting out after the leader Bad Neighbour.
Before they reached the top turn, he was in front and would go on to carve out a 29.57s win.
It wasn’t for a $1 million but to be able to see The Feral back after his tumble last week, was a delight to all.
Another who missed the MDC Grand Final but collected a nice prize on the night was the Tim Caines-trained Nangar Jack who led throughout to win the MDC Consolation in 29.73s from He’s All Shine and Aston Duke.
Watch Feral Franky win the Regional Reward here
Lismore Cup Heats
When there is $40,000 on offer to the winner of the final, it’s not surprising that the heats of the Lismore Cup would be bulging with quality,
Four heats of the event will be held on Tuesday night, with several locals matching it with a handful of Queenslanders crossing the border, and also one Million Dollar Chase semi-finalists heading north from Sydney.
Painted Picture who won Casino Regional Final in September, and Smooth Act who won the Lismore Regional Final will both contest the Lismore Cup heats, and both been drawn in a very strong heat.
Also in the heat are National Derby favourite from earlier this year, Fernando Blaster, and the flying Prize Izmir.
Another speedy local, He’s A Rocker, who has won his past four at Lismore and the past two in very quick times, is engaged in heat one where he’ll meet Queenslanders Quara’s Flick and Pitch Black Jet, both who reached the semis of the MDC.
Buck’s Future, who ran third to Shima Shine in the MDC semis, has made the trip north and is drawn in heat two.
Other visitors include Edelman, Bad Benny, won his past five for Tony Brett, Charming Chaos, and many more.
The final will be held the following Tuesday.
Watch Smooth Act win the Lismore MDC Regional Final here.
Goulburn Cup Heats
In a tremendous coup for the Goulburn Club, TAB Million Dollar Chase winner Good Odds Harada will be the headline act in Tuesday’s Goulburn Cup heats.
Trainer Frank Hurst confirmed that he had made a commitment to the club that he was coming, and he wouldn’t be changing his plans despite winning $1 million on Friday. Hurst will also take Harada’s brother Good Odds Buddy – also a winner at Wentworth Park on Friday – to Goulburn for the heats.
The club would be delighted with the quality they have attracted.
Joining the Hurst pair will be Neil Staines’ promising young dog Lightning Vision, Deb Coleman’s Immediate – a winner of a heat of the MDC at Goulburn – and She’s Gifted, MDC Consolation winner Nangar Jack, Darren Sultana’s Maitland Gold Cup winner Black Forge, and a pair from the kennel of leading Victorian trainer David Geall, Fernando Drums and Emerald Rainbow.
The $25,000 to the winner Goulburn Cup final will be run next Sunday.
Watch Nangar Jack win the MDC Consolation here
Finish On Lure Racing
Participants should remember that Finish On Lure racing will be held at Richmond during November and December.
Due to the success of the Finish on Lure race meeting conducted at Richmond on Sunday 25th August , 2019, GRNSW advised recently that additional race meetings will be conducted for ‘finish on racing’.
These meetings will be held on the following dates:
November
Sunday 3rd November
Sunday 10th November
Sunday 17th November
December
Sunday 8th December
Sunday 15th December
Sunday 22nd December
Please note that all Performance Trials and Clearance Trials will be conducted under the finish on lure type racing conditions. All race meetings are TAB prizemoney.
Full racing information is available on www.thedogs.conm.au. If you require any further information please contact the racing department on 1300 664 565 or grading_D@grnsw.com.au
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