They finished first and second in last year’s inaugural Million Dollar Chase, and they each began the 2019 edition on Tuesday night at Gosford by qualifying their greyhounds for next week’s Regional Final.
Look at the photos from last year’s presentation for the Million Dollar Chase, and front and centre are Peter Lagogiane and Adam Crouch, with their greyhounds Mystic Riot and Jamella Jet filling the quinella.
The pair hope to be there again on October 18 for the grand final of the TAB Million Dollar Chase, but you have to find your way there first and both embarked on Gosford to open their 2019 Chase campaigns, and both enjoyed success.
They will now have half the field between them in next Tuesday’s Regional Final.
Crouch won the opening heat with Jamella Jet, with Lagogiane’s Shez Got Soul finishing third to qualify for next week’s final.
In the second heat both had to play a supporting role to the Tim Caines-trained Nangar Jack, but again their two runners – Lagogiane’s Double Back and Crouch’s Sorry Scott – filled the placings and will take their places in the final next Tuesday.
For Crouch it was some relief after Jamella Jet had finished a disappointing last in The MACCA, the Black Top Consolation at LADBROKES GARDENS on Friday night.
“We were a bit dumbfounded by his run,” Crouch said. “I guess they are not robots and you’ve got to forgive them for a run sometimes.
“I think they had 100 mils of rain (during the day) and after the race his face was covered in mud and his eyes were full of mud. So I think we can forgive him for that one.
“We were happy with how he pulled up after the Gardens, and when the eight (Knight’s Page) was scratched we were pretty confident, but I did tell the owner that on four days rest he would get tired late.
“He needs a couple of weeks off so it would be good if we can get him qualified early and then just look ahead to the semi-finals.”
Jamella Jet just held on to win by a head from Typhoon To Excel in 29.33s, with Shez Got Soul 1 ½ lengths away, and Keep Guessing finishing fourth to also qualify.
It was another impressive performance from Nangar Jack who has now won four in a row. He clocked 29.43s in beating Double Back by 3 ½ lengths, with Sorry Scott a further length away third, and Sheba’s Dream picking up the last spot for the final.
“It wasn’t always the plan to come to Gosford, it was just a last minute decision,” Caines said.
“We were just looking to hopefully get it (qualifying) out of the way and make it through to the semi-finals.”
The TAB Million Dollar Chase will now move to Dapto on Thursday with three heats scheduled, before another three will be held at Casino on Friday.
