He’s only had a handful of starts and lack the experience of many of his likely rivals, but if you’re good enough, you’re good enough, and could the Jason Magri-trained Persuasive be on target to mirror the inaugural Million Dollar Chase winner Mystic Riot?
Back in 2018 the Peter and Jodie Lagogiane-trained Mystic Riot qualified for the Chase semis at start 15, then won her semi-final at start 16 then led throughout to win the grand final and the $1 million at start 17.
On Tuesday night at Bulli, Persuasive won the Regional Final of the TAB Million Dollar Chase at start 15 and as such qualified for the semis on April 29. That will be start 16 and should he win and make the grand final on May 7, then like Mystic Riot it will be start 17.
And as Magri pointed out, while many of the sport’s elite will be trying to win their way through to the semi-finals on April 23 in the City Qualifiers, his dog is now already there.
On the back of his stunning 25.82s in in the heat at Bulli last week - just half a length outside the track record - Persuasive backed up with a 26.09s win in the final, and while he did tire near the line, Magri wasn’t surprised or disappointed.
“That sometimes happens after they put one of those runs in the week before,” he said referring to the flying heat performance.
“I thought he went really good tonight. He sat down a bit, but it was a good win, and we’re through now to the semi-finals which was the aim in coming here to Bulli.”
Owned and previously trained in Victoria, Persuasive came to Magri to contest the National Derby at Wentworth Park in January. He won his heat impressively in 29.94s a time which would have won the final a week later, but in that race he had little luck and finished out of the placings.
He returned to Melbourne for a start in the Australian Cup heats before heading back to Magri for an MDC campaign.
While some have said the big tracks like Bulli are ideal for Persuasive, Magri was quick to point out that the dog has run fast at Wentworth Park.
“He trialed 29.6s there for me, so there are no problems with him racing around Wenty,” Magri said.
“With two weeks to the semis, I will probably just give him a trial then head into the semis.”
Also qualifying for the semi-finals were runner-up Mickey Doo who charged home to get within a length of the winner, and the Judy Richardson-trained That’s My Guy who finished third.
