Everyone loves a fairytale story and the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase semi-final lineup just gained a couple more after Albert’s Memory and Emerald Dancer qualified through the Gunnedah regional final.
Albert’s Memory, named after loveable larrikin and longtime greyhound enthusiast Daryl ‘Albert’ Gleeson, surged into his second straight semi-final appearance in the richest race series in the world after demolishing his rivals by 5.75 lengths on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, Emerald Dancer scurried her way into third place despite jumping at $126 with Ladbrokes.
Now their respective trainers, Reggie Gardoll and Cherie Rosier, will travel to Wentworth Park on October 12 hopeful of creating an everlasting piece of chasing folklore.
“Our guy is a handy little dog but we know he’ll be up against it when we get to Sydney. We’re only really throwing him in because of the group who owns him,” Gardoll said.
“We’re all old mates of ‘Albert’ [Gleeson] and we’re having a lovely ride with this dog. It’s a great way to keep the memory of our friend going and I know his mum, Maxine, is tickled pink with how he’s travelling as well.”
The group, led by syndicate manager Tony Everingham, deciding at Gleeson’s funeral in 2021 to purChase the greyhound and race in his honour.
“The owners all grew up together with ‘Albert’ in the Northern Rivers and every time Albert’s Memory races at Grafton, they all come down to watch. The club president, Brennan Naidoo, said he loves seeing them come in the gate because he knows the bar take is going to be right up,” Gardoll laughed.
Albert's Memory ran third in the 2023 Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase semi-finals behind eventual placegetter Postman Pat
“’Albert’ was just a fun-loving sort of fella, he got to all the carnivals with us, and he was a well-known, well liked bloke. He was into the dogs, he was tied up with the horses and he was into his football as well, just an all-round sport lover. His nickname was ‘Fat Albert’ so the name came naturally.”
Albert’s Memory, who also made the Chief Havoc Cup final at Gunnedah back in June, registering his 17th career win as he beat home Got The Feature and Emerald Dancer.
The latter also a great yarn for Cherie Rosier who admits the odds will be against her once she arrives at Wentworth Park.
“She was 100/1 today, well, she’ll probably be 200/1 in the semi-finals,” she chuckled.
“She’s a beautiful dog though and I’m just thrilled to be part of the series. I got her off Kenny Wright, she was a giveaway and she’s no world beater but she’s very quick early. She needs to lead to win any race, but I think the city dogs will be too good for her.”
Emerald Dancer a four-time winner in her 40 career starts, including two unplaced looks at Wentworth Park back in May.
“I’ll give her a slip down in town before the semi-finals just so she remembers her way around but then it’s up to the gods,” Burton laughed.
“I haven’t even thought about winning the million dollars. I used to come to the track with mum and dad and they would race for $75 so the thought of winning that much money blows my mind. I was just happy when she ran fourth in the heats last week so I’m over the moon after running third in the final.”
“I let my granddaughter Bree box the dog yesterday, she’s only 21 and loves the dogs so it’s a big thrill for her as well. We live in the house next door to the Gunnedah track and I’m the secretary manager here, so it was a great day out yesterday.”
The Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase continues with the running of the Black Top heats on Friday evening, with Wagga Wagga also holding its regional heats on the same night.
