The regional finals of the 2024 Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase (LMDC) are over, and it was the ever-present Minnie Finn who dominated the last two stops at Nowra and Gosford.
The Pine Bowl was the setting for Monday night’s Nowra decider, and it was Both Bowers Ace who produced a sparkling start from Box 1.
The son of Flying Ricciardo x Poco Dorado firing to the front on the back of a 4.30 first split, before punching out to a four-length lead up the back straight.
Zipping Chaplin, trained by COURTNEY Barnes, loomed as the only danger as it rounded the home bend in second, but Both Bowers Ace was too strong, holding a 1.50 length margin to the post to win in 29.42.
Nicko King finished third for Cliffy Bell, with all three greyhounds advancing to the October 12 semi-finals.
“He was good tonight…he came out, he had Box 1 and the box seat I suppose you could say…but he likes it down here [at Nowra]. He was in the Puppy Classic final this year, that’s why I targeted this race. He was educated around here and I’m very happy,” Finn said post-race.
“He goes good at Wentworth Park too, we’ve just got to get him down there now and give him a run around. They’ve been an amazing litter and they’re only young, so they’ve still got plenty to look forward to.”
Both Bowers Ace notching up his 17th career win in start 63. He also has a further 34 placings to his name as his career earnings tipped over $124,000.
Less than 24 hours later, his litter sisters Gets Late Early and Poco Rico were booking their own tickets to the LMDC semi-finals with powerful efforts on the Central Coast.
The former relishing her fourth start in the space of two weeks after contesting the Black Top heats and final, as well as the heat and final of the Gosford series.
“She went awesome…especially after backing up from Friday night in the Black Top where she was in all sorts of trouble and finished way back…my dogs are pretty fit so I know they can pull up well though and she showed it tonight,” an elated Finn said.
“I believe keep them going while they’re going good. In the [Dapto] Megastar I gave her a whole week off and it didn’t pay off, they just love to race this litter. I reared them and they never used to stop running in the yard so I’m not going to stop them running now.”
Gets Late Early blasting out of a suitable Box 7 alley and surging to an easy lead over a talented field.
The 2024 National Futurity winner never looking in danger as she careered away from interstate visitor, CHAMPAGNE CUDDLE, and sister Poco Rico to win by 5.50 lengths in 29.29.
“I knew she was well boxed out there, that’s where she wants to be. She loves the outside and doesn’t like to get crowded so when she came out well, it was all over,” Finn added.
“It’d be a dream come true for anyone [to win the LMDC], just to get in the final would be amazing. I’d love to see COURTNEY [Barnes] get in it because on the way home last night from Nowra she said “I’d love to see my dog get in it”, so hopefully that can happen.”
Gets Late Early and Poco Rico join littermates Both Bowers Ace and National Sprint placegetter Might Have Been in the October 12 semi-finals.
The final chance for greyhounds to qualify for the next stage of the world’s richest race is in this Saturday night’s city qualifiers.
