Smiths Now Have A Pair Heading To The Semis

His wife did it seven days earlier, and on Sunday night at Wagga Wagga, Brian Smith emulated her achievement assuring the couple now have a pair of greyhounds to take to Wentworth Park on April 29.

A week ago at Temora, Joanne’s greyhound Mill Express took out that track’s Regional Final of the TAB Million Dollar Chase, booking a berth in the semi-finals of the series.

But in line with “Anything you can do I can do … also” Brian’s dog My Boy Rockin’ upstaged a few Victorian visitors to claim his spot in the car for the five and half hour trip to the city by winning the Wagga Regional Final of the event.

Many expected after last week’s heats that the winner would be one of Victorian trainer Samantha Grenfell’s trio - Xavien Bale, Kinson Bale, or Nikoli Bale - but it was Smith and My Boy Rockin’ who hail from The Rock, just 20 minutes down the road from Wagga, who claimed the prize.

Kinson Bale led around the first turn but using his box one draw to perfection, My Boy Rockin’ refused to allow that dog to cross to the rail.

Heading out of the back straight it looked like Kinson Bale had cleared the local, but My Boy Rockin’ again railed through and swinging for home he raced away, and was able to stave off the late surge of Xavien Bale, winning by a half neck in 30.04s, with Kinson Bale holding on for third 1 ¾ lengths away. All three advance to the Million Dollar Chase semi-finals on April 29 at Wentworth Park.

“When he drew box one I gave him a good chance as it was a big advantage,” Smith said.

“He’s the perfect dog. No bad habits at all, just perfect.”

The last winner Smith had at Wentworth Park came back in August 2019 when a dog called Ultimate Speed ran the best of the night time of 29.64s.

The next month Ultimate Speed contested the Wagga Wagga Million Dollar Chase Regional series and Ultimate Speed defeated leading Victorian trainer Jason Thompson’s superstar Black Opium, twice, in the heat and then in the Regional Final. Black Opium had earlier that year made the final of the Golden Easter Egg, and she would go on to qualify for that MDC Grand Final in 2019 and also win the Group 1 Sapphire Crown Final.

Ultimate Speed went to Wentworth Park for the semi-finals that year but drew off the track and was never able to get into the race, finishing fifth behind Flying Bazza.