On Friday night it will be all about one 30 second race, an event which will turn someone into an instant millionaire, but the calm before the storm on Thursday saw the industry celebrate the combatants and the event, with the now annual TAB Million Dollar Chase Gala Luncheon.
Hosted by Nine Sports’ Presenter Cameron Williams, a crowd of over 300 attended the luncheon at Doltone House in the city, celebrating the culmination of a series which began back at Gunnedah on August 31, and has weaved its way across the state, visiting 14 regional venues, before finding it’s way to Wentworth Park.
And now, on Friday night, five NSW-trained dogs and three hailing from Victoria will race for the $1 million first prize in the world’s richest greyhound event.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was a phantom call by leading racecaller Tim Newbold which had the room roaring. In a three-way photo, it was the Jason MACKAY-trained Get It Gizmo defeating Victorian Black Opium, with fellow southerner Curt Lee finishing third.
Whether that will be the order on Friday is another matter, although punters seem to be in agreement with Newbold.
Get It Gizmo has been very firm in betting since winning his semi-final last Friday in the fastest time of the night, and then drawing box one in the final.
While he has never started from box one, his trainer said on Thursday that he has trialled him with speedy dogs outside him, and it hasn’t been a problem for the smart sprinter.
MACKAY says he believes that from the one box Get It Gizmo will run a faster first sectional in the final, and is going into the biggest race of his life, with plenty of confidence.
After being usurped by Black Opium in betting this week, Get It Gizmo is now back into equal favouritsm with the Jason Thompson-trained sprinter at $4, with another early favourite Good Odds Harada now out to $4.60.
Shima Shine from the kennel which once produced Fernando Bale, is $6, with fellow Victorian Curt Lee at $6.50.
Local Pindari Express, the only dog in the Tracey Scruse kennel, has also had some solid support this week, and is now an $8 chance, with MACKAY’s other finalist, youngster Flying Bazza, a $14 chance.
Roughie of the field is the Peter Carr-trained Jimmy Casey at $34, but in this final, any dog is a chance depending on luck.
Gates open at 5.30pm on Friday, and while VIP Packages have been sold out, there are still plenty of $20 tickets available, with that $20 going to the Greyhounds as Pets NSW program.
