For the elite Chasers, this Saturday night at Nowra signals an opportunity to take the first steps towards a spot in the TAB Million Dollar Chase semi-finals.
The Shoalhaven Greyhound Club is delighted with the fields they have drawn and the calibre of greyhounds engaged, with the likes of Cumbria Belle, Cumbira Ninno and Cumbria Dreaming from Steve Fitch, Showtime Jack a heat winner at Gosford earlier this month, Charlie Riccio’s brilliant Caishen, and Flying Ricciardo’s brother Eagle Rock.
The first four in each heat advances to Sunday week’s (September 27) Regional Final with the top three there advancing to the MDC semis at Wentworth Park on October 9.
But while we all want to own or train a dog racing in the Million Dollar Chase, not everyone can, and the Nowra club have decided to cater for those at the other end of the spectrum with the club to stage heats of a Maiden Battlers event next week.
Next Thursday the club have programmed Maiden Battlers heats over the 520 metres with the final to be run on Sunday, October 4 worth $2,000 to the winner. To be eligible, maidens must have had six starts at close of nominations.
As Shoalhaven Greyhound Club secretary-manager Glenn Midson said, sometimes the hardest win to get is your very first win to break that maiden, adding that the event will be staged as a trial and if successful may become a permanent fixture at the Nowra club.
The club is hoping to draw at least two heats of the event Next Thursday, on a night when the Shoalhaven club takes the slot usually occupied by Dapto for the week.
Also on that card will be a Ladbrokes Red Dog, Non Grade, Best 8 over the 630m with $5,000 on offer to the winner, as well as 5th Grade 520m Heats with the final worth $5000 to the winner.
Nominations for the Maiden Battlers and the rest of the Nowra September 24 meeting close next Monday, September 21.
