Big Weekend As MDC Takes Further Shape

The TAB Million Dollar Chase takes further shape over the next three days with Richmond, Dubbo and Nowra staging their regional finals.

So far, 24 of the 64 spots up for grabs in the October 11 sem-finals at Wentworth Park have been decided, with another 12 to be added to that tally by the time this weekend draws to a close.

On Friday night at Richmond, the might and force of the Andrea Dailly kennel will be on full show, the leading Victorian training team responsible for five of the eight finalists, including race favourite, hugely impressive fastest qualifier Jaro Bale.

At Dubbo on Saturday evening, the most open of the regional qualifiers thus far takes place, with six of the eight finalists quoted under double figure odds.

While the race has been robbed of one of its major draw cards with the scratching earlier this week of Midnight Dare, some very talented chasers will take their place where the slender race favourite is Sid Swain's Group 1 Paws Of Thunder winner Buck's Future at $3.90.

In what promises to be a very competitive race, sitting on the next line of betting is Connie's Boy, Jimmy Casey and Annabel Keeping, each quoted at $4.00 following impressive efforts in their heats.

On Sunday Nowra stages their regional final, which much like Richmond, has a Victorian dominated flavour, with Deb Coleman and Rob Camilleri qualifying three through to the $6,000 to-the-winner final.

Setting the pace with a slick 29.93 box one heat victory last week was Zipping Norton for Rob Camilleri, the nine race winner defeating Mick Clayton's classy sprinter Bit Flash by 1 ¼ lengths.

Interestingly, favourite for Sunday's final is Zipping Magda for the Victorian training team, the powerhouse daughter of Barcia Bale an eye-catching third to kennelmate Awesome Catch in her heat.

As well as the three regional finals up for decision this weekend, heats kick off at Wagga on Friday night while a sole run-off will be staged at Ladbrokes Gardens on Saturday.

The Wagga heats sees the likes of star Victorian chasers Black Opium, Lucy's Milo and Deliver strut their stuff, their presence a huge boon for greyhound racing in the riverina.

At Ladbrokes Gardens on Saturday, last year's Million Dollar Chase winner Mystic Riot joins kennelmate Federal Lilly in action, the daughter of Dyna Double One having her first start since finishing second to Zipping Bailey in April's Group 1 Golden Easter Egg Final at Wentworth Park.

On Tuesday, heats of the Goulburn MDC will be staged, while Maitland will stage its regional final next Thursday.

The Wagga final is penciled in for next Saturday, a day on from what promises to be bumper Lismore final on Friday.