Sense of relief to be back writing about something close to my heart , it’s cathartic and soothing ,you never know what’s around the corner in life or this crazy world!
We’ve just enjoyed the 8th running of the now famous and growing Million Dollar Chase, for those not aware it’s become a phenomenon in the world of greyhound racing in NSW Australia 🇦🇺.
The state government went down a path of banning the sport in NSW in 2016 after some hidden cameras exposed some bad behaviour of a certain few, to tarnish everyone with same brush and take away everything they’d worked their lives for , houses ,livelihood dreams ,income ,something that makes them exist was never going to fly , the March to Parliament House by thousands was only the start .
Solid campaign was executed against the ban which i won’t go into but involved many members of parliament, meetings, support from high profile media, and I’ll never forget going to track talking to trainers ,many downcast and upset, others defiant but as one they paraded and presented their dogs in a quiet professional manner we hardly missed a meeting , business as usual, I thought to myself Jesus! Look at these people they are hurting but you wouldn’t know it , I’ve never been more proud of a group !
Dr John Keniry was given the task by premier Baird to wind things up but after meetings in various areas he was torn , he even spoke to me for 20 minutes on the phone he listened to everyone and was astute . 48 hours later he released a statement telling Baird he couldn’t shut the industry down “they love their dogs “ 99% of them .
After 90 days The premier Mike Baird and he’s other half Troy Grant fell on their swords 🗡️ .
Greyhound welfare integrity commission was formed and Tony Mestrov CEO introduced the Million Dollar Chase shortly after !
The race was about combining city and country areas , regional finals in the bush where the great local dogs could try and defend against the few hot dogs that would travel to their area and win a qualification to the big smoke for a semi final, good for crowds and exposure for the country clubs .
Each region would provide the puzzle pieces along with the city heats a week before ,then 64 dogs line up for 8 semi finals , although some tweaks over the years , it’s a gradual greyhound journey which culminates into a final ,winner 1 million $🇦🇺 and embraces dogs Oz wide as the results have shown .
The inaugural running 2018 I watched from a bar in Bali I thought wow I’ll never not be trackside again it was won by Mystic Riot: trainer Peter Lagogiane :after the race an iconic dance down the straight with collar and lead flying through the air the raw emotion and jubilation from Peter ,and Boom the race was born GRNSW would never be the same again.
He was lucky enough to incredibly win it again two years later off the same box with Handsome Prince ,Lagogiane had trained in Dubai for Sheiks he was now known as King Midas !!
It’s the one in between that is closest to my heart 2019.
We had a neighbour who played golf with my dad but he’s sister’s passion was the hounds and tinkered with a few while having a bet on Saturdays at the local with her mum , she spoke of buying a pup and was deciding whether to train it ,i immediately said go for it train it what else ya gunna do being a bit fools rush in style , but you’ve got to back yourself in life !
So began the 🧚 fairytale .
Being a backyard trainer in the suburbs is rare having a freak in it is a miracle, her father would help and I will do a story one day on the dog which intertwined with my own feel good tale stuff of legend for us , but today is about the Million dollar Chase and yes after this dog equaled the track record at Bulli 1st start he became Pindari Express known as “the Freight train”.
My two sons and I loved him and we had Blue shirts 👕 made and he lined up box 4 in the 2019 MDC final ,MDC 2024 had been received as best field so far but I think this edition is slightly superior as 4 dogs went to stud , black opium was a superstar and Kurt Lee very handy plus they went 29.34 ,anyway the freight train missed the kick held he’s own completely for a great 5th and Frank Hurst won with Good odds Harada , he danced down the track also with a smile like the joker and he’s famous quote “it’s justified my life work”.
Since I’ve been going to wenty 1983 onwards it was one of my biggest thrills.
The place was packed and along with young Isaiah Firebrace the crowd sang the national anthem as one when the lure took off the crowd roared as one for 30 odd seconds I was there with my boys and their mates on one side and the trainers brother on my other shoulder and thought wow look at us now , sporting event unique to the world happening in Sydney CBD !!with a tear in my eye !
Covid try intervene a few years later and the politicians still squabble but they’ll never take them 8 races off us .Long Live the Million dollar chase 💰
Blue kemaro wins this year for the Formosa kennel, the dog was bought for 10k after 2 starts and steadily improved to the top such the beauty of our game , he’s brother Off the Richter sadly passed away of cancer after having the middle distance world at he’s feet an example of the dizzy highs and traumatic lows !
The track record at Wentworth park is held by Shakey Jakey 1 start 10.5 years ago 29.07 then retired very strange isn’t it quite an amazing statistic . It’s history now another maiden yes your reading correctly came out at its 3rd start and went bang , the track had been quick , the dog had wraps , fast runs were in the air 29.12 Bezzechi ,29.20 explicit, but the well bred Dalwhinne who we’d backed 6 days before when falling in maiden final created another maiden thunderbolt.
On October 24 2024 he began great off 2 ran incredible lines at high speed winning by 14 lengths posting 29.04 , good luck new king, named after a Whiskey I’ll definitely be buying a bottle along with many greyhound fans !
Goosebumps writing this so good to be back , subscribe for nothing or track blogs through socials let’s keep our wonderful game going until next time Hounfrenz lots of love ❤️!
My Houndbound life 