Trainer Jack Smith knows it won’t be easy for his kennel star Feral Franky to win his semi-final of the TAB Million Dollar Chase on Friday night at Wentworth Park, but he wouldn’t expect any different, stating: “It’s a million bucks, there is nowhere to hide.”
For the first time in a long time, Feral Franky has not been installed as favourite for his race, and has also been deposed as ruling favourite to win the $1 million Grand Final on October 18.
In markets framed by tab.com.au after the semi-finals were drawn, Feral Franky was out to $8, on the second line of betting behind new favourite Good Odds Harada.
Having drawn box four in his semi-final, outside Victorian speedster Curt Lee and with another southerner, Slingshot Hammer, drawn well in box one, bookies have The Feral as $3 second favourite with Slingshot Hammer, both behind Curt Lee who is $2.50.
“Everything is going along as planned so far,” Smith said on Monday. “The heat is not easy, but we’ll be competitive, he’s just going to need luck in running.
“It’s a million bucks, there is nowhere to hide, and we’re not drawn that badly. He’s won his last six there (at Wentworth Park) so he’ll be competitive.”
Curt Lee made his debut at Wentworth Park on Saturday night coming out of box eight, and after a blistering 5.39s first sectional, he led throughout to win by 7½ lengths in 29.83s, the best of the night, a performance that saw his Series’ price sliced to $8.
Smith knows Feral Franky will be chasing the Victorian, and while his dog has never been a great beginner, he hopes this week that The Feral can get away cleanly.
“He’s just so unpredictable at the boxes. For a little while he was beginning well, but the last couple of starts he has gone back to his ... he moves around a little bit. If he’s there (at the front of the boxes) he jumps ok.
“Sometimes it works in his favour as he misses a little bit of trouble, but the thing is, we can’t get held up if they’re running 29.8s up front.”
At his most recent start, at Wentworth Park, Feral Franky was tardy away, and third last going past the post the first time, but a rails’ run presented, and he put himself into the race, ultimately chasing down leader Buck’s Future and winning in 29.74s.
“It was an incredible run. He began ordinary again. I thought he might have begun a bit better than he did that night, but he just moved back (in the boxes) at the wrong time.
“We will need some luck, and good dogs make their own luck, but when you get to this level a lot of things come into play, little things, and a dog that is going to jump in front and run 5.40s to the first mark, they’re making their own luck, and a lot can happen behind them … and we’ve got catch them.”
While he may have drifted in betting for the series, there is no doubt The FeraI remains the “people’s dog” heading into the semi-finals, and will have an abundance of support.
“It’s great that people are behind him. I just hope that helps.”
