Peter Lagogiane has experienced the highs and lows of the sport within the space of 24 hours, with his talented sprinter, Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg runner-up Federal Lilly suffering a setback this morning.
Lagogiane was on hand for the launch on Monday of the TAB Million Dollar Chase, posing for photos with his inaugural winner of the world’s richest greyhound race, Mystic Riot. But the morning after, the Llandilo mentor was “absolutely gutted” after trialling Federal Lilly.
“Unfortunately she pulled up lame after a trial this morning. I’m absolutely gutted,” Lagogiane said. “It’s amazing, and just shows what racing, and sport can be like. It was such a high yesterday with the launch of the Million Dollar Chase, such a positive for the sport, and then such a low for us this morning.
“Look, the positive is that there is still plenty of time, so we’ll assess the injury, and see what the options are.”
Federal Lilly, who won the Ladbrokes Young Star Final on Million Dollar Chase grand final night last October, was narrowly beaten by Zipping Bailey in the Easter Egg in April, but tore a back muscle in a trial soon after and has been sidelined since.
She had been going well with eyes on next month’s Group 2 Black Top at The Gardens, but the program will now need to be reassessed.
Lagogiane said he is delighted with how the defending champion is progressing, and she will make a return to racing this Friday at The Gardens, her first run since being knocked over on the first turn of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup on July 4.
“She’s very good. She’ll go around at The Gardens on Friday, and we’re thinking about the Black Top as a lead in to the Million Dollar Chase,” he said.
“We won’t be going into the Nationals (NSW heats) as she doesn’t like flying and with the final in Perth, there is no point us entering.”
Mystic Riot is quoted a $61 chance with tab.com.au in early Million Dollar Chase markets, with Brisbane Cup winner Sennachie, and runner-up Black Opium, joint $14 favourites, just ahead of cult hero Feral Franky at $21.
“There are some good youngsters out there and Sennachie and Feral Franky are the two form young dogs at the moment,” Lagogiane said. “They’re the leading contenders for the Million Dollar Chase at the moment, and we’re just happy to sit in behind them and go under the radar.”
Lagogiane is also hoping to have another of his stars, Gosford track record holder Beast Unleashed, back to 100 per cent fitness and ready for the series.
A winner of 10 of his 15 starts including the Group1 Launching Pad in Melbourne last year, Beast Unleashed hasn’t raced since winning the Gosford Gold Cup on January 1, after a back muscle injury in February.
