The GRNSW+ Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase has finally wound its way to the city, with Wentworth Park tonight offering 15 ‘tickets’ to the series’ semi-finals.
Headquarters will host five City Qualifying heats, with the first three placegetters advancing to the October 12 semis, where the winners of those eight races will advance to the Grand Final, and a one in eight shot at $1 million.
And the city qualifiers have brought all the big guns of the sport from around the country – the Daillys, the Brittons, Angela Langton, and Paul Bigeni.
Ok, he may not have the lofty profile, nor the big team, but like the Victorian invaders, Paul Bigeni is heading to Wenty tonight chasing his shot at the $1 million.
“It’s just great this Million Dollar Chase, and I wanted to be a part of the series,” Paul explained.
Paul will have Ancient Secret (pictured) in heat four of the Million Dollar Chase, and it has drawn box seven. It’s a tough heat, but you’d expect that of each of the five City Qualifiers would be.
“You’ve got to be lucky, but you’ve got to be in it. If you haven’t got a ticket, you can’t win a prize.”
While Andrea Daily is bringing 14 greyhounds from Melbourne to Wentworth Park, Paul has just the one runner - Ancient Secret. The dog is just one of two he has in his Girraween kennels.
And while this trainer may be a minnow compared with the heavyweight kennels, Ancient Reward is more than capable of holding his own against his rivals.
He has had seven wins and 13 placings from his 40 starts with three of those wins being at Wentworth Park, including a slick 29.83s success back in March.
Paul bought the dog from leading country husband and wife trainers, Paul and Pam Braddon from Cowra.
“I always buy dogs from Paul, and guys like David Pringle and Dennis Barnes,” Paul said. “I like to go to the good quality guys to buy dogs.”
At 81, Paul has spent a lot of time in greyhound racing – 50 years to be honest.
“I think it’s actually 51 now,” he said. “How I got into the greyhounds … well, I was driving from Melbourne and I saw my brother in law’s brother driving down the South Coast. He was going to see the some pups he had, so I turned around and I followed him, and I bought a pup that day, and that was it.
“It was in my blood then and it just doesn’t get out. I’ve had a few fair ones, not champions, but some handy ones.”
The pick of his dogs over the years according to Paul has been Petro The Rock, who won 10 races in 32 starts, including five of those at Wentworth Park back in 2004 and 2005.
He also enjoyed good success with In My Days (four Wentworth Park wins) and Cool Rattler (five wins at Wentworth Park) with each winning 10 races for Paul.
But while winning is important – and he would love to snare one tonight at Wentworth Park - it’s not all about winning for Paul Bigeni.
”If I don’t have them I die … I don’t go to the clubs or pubs, things like that, I just have my dogs,” he said.
“I just want to have fun mate. What life is left in me, I want to have fun.”
