Very few would argue with trainer Evelyn Harris when she described her greyhound Cosmic Bonus as “just an incredible dog.”
Harris has just watched Cosmic Bonus win his heat of the Masters Meteor on Wednesday, ensuring he will now have the opportunity to defend the title he won 12 months ago in the race exclusively for older greyhounds.
Harris, who was brought to tears a year ago when her dog won the $100,000 to the winner final on Million Dollar Chase Grand Final night, was absolutely thrilled to have her soon to be five-year-old qualify for a title defence.
“I was hoping he would win a little bit easier, but he won, and it doesn’t matter how far they win by,” Harris said after Cosmic Bonus just managed to hold off Bad Ronnie to win his heat in 29.97s.
“He’s just an incredible dog. It’s great to be back in the final.”
The win was the 56th of Cosmic Bonus’s 117 start career, and took his earning to just a shade below $370,000.
Bad Ronnie also advanced to the Masters Meteor final to be run on October 18, while favourite Zipping Clive was put out of the race on the first turn.
In last year’s final Cosmic Bonus defeated Springcreek Bill and Blabba Mouth, and that pair will also be there again in 2019, qualifying out of the same heat.
Blabba Mouth screamed across from the seven box to lead her rivals, and once in front she was never going to be run down, clocking 29.94s, while Springcreek Bill Chased hard and grabbed second 3¾ lengths away, securing his berth in the final.
Blabba Mouth is the oldest dog in the series, having turned five back in June, but age is certainly not wearying him.
The Michelle Sultana-trained Drink Schooners was competing in the Million Dollar Chase 12 months ago, and while he didn’t reach the Grand Final of that event last year, he will be racing on Grand Final night in 2019, having won his heat of the Masters Meteor.
Jumping a very short-priced favourite, Drink Schooners - who turns four in a matter of weeks - gave his supporters no reason for concern, powering to the lead on the first turn and racing away to win easily in 30.10s. Runner-up was Friend Of Man who will join his adversary in the Masters Meteor Final.
Like Drinking Schooners, a year ago Bogan Doonie was racing the best in the Million Dollar Chase, and actually finished second to Azkaban in the semi-finals of the event, then a week later was second to True Talent in the MDC Consolation.
On Wednesday she qualified for the Masters Meteor Final with a 30.21s win, despite missing the jump badly. Second went to the early leader Kroes who held on for a place in the rich Meteor final.
The box draw was conducted later in the evening and sees: 1 Springcreek Bill 2 Drink Schooners 3 Blabba Mouth 4 Bad Ronnie 5 Friend Of Man 6 Cosmic Bonus 7 Kroes 8 Bogan Doonie 9 Rita’s Boy 10 Little Digger.
