When owner Michael Sheather led Bella Una out for the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase (LMDC) regional final at Dubbo on Saturday night, he had a feeling she was ready to produce something special.
“I’ve boxed her a few times before, but I’ve never seen her that keen,” Sheather said.
“She was barking and carrying on in the stir up, she was that excited, it was amazing. CharmaineRoberts actually said something about her being ready to go and judging by the run, Jack and Maree [Smith] certainly had her primed.”
The reigning County Classic champion and 2023 LMDC finalist producing another memorable performance at Dubbo to claim her thirteenth race win.
The daughter of Feral Franky x Khatanga Eve blasting out of Box 1 to find the front and lead all the way in a time of 29.47.
“Jack [Smith] was obviously down in Melbourne with Palawa King and Maree had Flash Boom Bang in the race too, so she took him and I took Bella and I’m incredibly lucky to get that opportunity,” Sheather added.
“I’ve learned so much from Jack, Maree and Errol Hughes as well. Errol is a FORBES local too so I’ve been heading to the track with him and Luke Anderson said to me the other “you couldn’t have met three better people to learn off” and I totally agree.”
“In the last few years I’ve gone from having no real involvement in the greyhounds, to owning Bella and I’ve got my handlers license now too.”
“If you think about it, what other industry could you rock up and be given such a go. If I went down to the horses and tried to get this involved, I’d probably have no luck…so I’m lucky to have met three very generous and caring people who love the dogs so much.”
Michael Sheather (back right) with Maree Smith (centre) and his family after Bella Una claimed the Ladbrokes Country Classic
The 44-year-old primary school teacher excited by the prospect of another LMDC semi-final appearance, but also eyeing off another milestone of his own, albeit a little further down the road.
“I’d love to train a dog or two as a hobby one day. I’ve got some little kids to look after first but hopefully that’s something I can do in time,” he said.
“Having Bella has been incredible and the whole industry has been so great, I’ve enjoyed all aspects and being hands on has been terrific so that idea excites me one day. In saying that, I think the collar and lead will be handed back to the big boss [Jack Smith] for the semi-finals.”
“She’s actually jumped the best she’s ever has which was surprising because she’s very unpredictable. One week she flies out, the next she doesn’t.”
“Shayne [Stiff] is going to Adelaide on Thursday with a couple of young ones for the Oaks and Derby so she’ll go over there for a run too and she ran in the Anniversary Cup in WINTER so she knows the track.”
The Dubbo trio now qualifying for the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase which will be run on Saturday, October 12 at Wentworth Park.
