Peter Lagogiane has been around greyhound racing long enough to know, that just because you have the best dog in a race, doesn’t necessarily mean you will win. Luck plays a huge part, particularly in big races, and he got a touch of good luck on Sunday morning.
The box draws for the semi-finals of the TAB Million Dollar Chase were conducted early on Sunday morning, and when contacted, Lagogiane - who has four runners in the semis - answered with: “Tell me the news.”
The news was a bit mixed. His Gosford Regional winner Double Back has drawn box five in the same heat as brilliant youngster Flying Bazza who drew the one. His bitch Shez Got Soul has drawn the same heat as one of the series’ favourites Get It Gizmo.
He did have some good fortune with Federal Lilly drawing box one in her semi, however she has drawn against another of the series’ stars, Good Odds Harada, and Saturday’s heat winner Eight Ball. But then came the news he was awaiting.
Last year’s $1 million winner, Mystic Riot drew box eight.
“That was what I waiting for,” a delighted Lagogiane said. “It’s obviously a strong field as there are only good dogs to have made it this far, but that’s her box. I’d hoped for six, seven or eight.”
Mystic Riot hasn’t been racing at her best, scraping into the semi-finals with a fourth placing at The Gardens, but as Lagogiane said, she loves Wentworth Park, she has won three of four starts when exiting the eight box, and the last time she wore a pink rug … was the semi-final of the Million Dollar Chase 12 months ago.
But, it won’t be simple, Also in the heat are Victorians Waging War, Western Envoy, and Black Opium. In fact in what will be a nightmare for racecaller Tim Newbold, there is also Black Maxie, Black Signature and Black Forge.
Federal Lilly finished fourth behind Good Odds Harada on Saturday night, but Lagogiane was far from disappointed.
“She’s had three runs back now (from injury) and we just think that run will top her off,” he said. “She didn’t get her own way early and she’s a natural leader.
“Next week is her grand final and if you make the big one then it’s all about luck. This is her home track and were here Next week.”
Frank Hurst could not have been happier with the runs of his two semi-finalist on Saturday night at Wentworth Park.
Good Odds Harada won the Free-For-All in 29.85s, with Good Odds BUDDY third just a length behind.
“Harada’s had four weeks between runs and he had three weeks off virtually in the kennel,” Hurst said. “They had both been up for a while, so he had a bit of a freshen up and a couple of runs up the straight, and a box to box run here on Tuesday night.
“That’s his first 500m in four or five weeks and I thought he went super.
“Both of our dogs needed the run that’s why they are here, but they weren’t here for tonight’s race they are here for the Million Dollar race.
“I thought BUDDY went great. He was back a bit and was doing the work, and he got beaten a lip for second. What more can you ask for and he’s right on song for the Million Dollar race. That’s his race, and he could win that.”
While Good Odds Harada has drawn seven against Federal Lilly and the speedy Victorian Eight Ball, Good Odds BUDDY has drawn box three in a tough heat which sees young Victorian star Shima Shine in the eight, the speedy Buck’s Future in box one, and the promising dog Lightning VISION in box four.
Lagogiane isn’t the only trainer with four runners in the series with Rob Camilleri and his partner Deb COLEMAN also having qualified four, Slingshot Hammer winning on Saturday night to book his place, and join kennelmates Zipping Norton, Awesome Catch and Immediate.
“We’ll go anywhere to try and win a race and we have got a couple of good dogs, so we have got to travel with them,” COLEMAN said on Saturday having driven up that morning, leaving home at 6.30am, then heading straight back that night. “Travelling is all part of the experience.
“We just happy to be there. To have four in it is just something that … we work hard, and to have all four in is great. We just hope one can get through.”
Awesome Catch has drawn the three in semi-final seven and will have to get over Get It Gizmo to advance to the grand final.
Zipping Norton has drawn the rails and has to be a big chance off that alley in semi-final six. One of his dangers will be his kennelmate Immediate who has the five in the same semi.
Slingshot Hammer has drawn the rails also, but will face the flying Curt Lee a winner on Saturday in 29.83s at Wentworth Park, and Feral Franky.
Leading Victorian trainer Andrea Dailly also has four semi-finalists, with Shima Shine and Jaro Bale the best of the quartet, the latter drawing in a tough heat against Pindari Express and Premium Share, as well as last year’s runner-up Jamella Jet.
