Comment: It's Time For MDC To Receive G1 Status

THE Million Dollar Chase has consolidated its standing as one of the country's preeminent greyhound events. It's time it is elevated to group 1 status.

Like thoroughbred racing's The Everest, the Million Dollar Chase arrived with great fanfare and a promise to revitalise the way feature races are run and won in Australia.

While many were sceptical of the race's premise and overall viability given the scope of prize money involved, seven years on it has unquestionably become the pinnacle event on the NSW racing calendar – if not the country. 

While it is no surprise that the largest prize money purse in the country would attract the very best greyhounds from around the country, the qualification criteria took the race to the people, it's open to everyone.

Those regional qualifiers provided those in the country – the sport's heartland – the opportunity to see some of the best chasers compete in their own backyard. It also gives those very same people the opportunity to compete on home turf, offering up some kind of advantage. 

READ: Adelaide Cup To Remain In ‘Rightful' October Place

The qualification process helps to build a narrative, to tell the stories, both canine and human, that makes the sport so special. The glory of winning such a race is a truly life changing experience, and not just because of the lucrative pay day.

The most recent winner Blue Kermaro is a case in point. Bought for $10,000 in February, he secured semi-final spot 63 of 64 at the last available chance.

As they say, the rest is history.

Greyhound racing – racing generally – often exists in a bubble. Due to the sheer size of the event, the Million Dollar Chase breaks out of that bubble and gives the sport something that is vital to its survival and future prosperity – relevance and aspiration. 

Record turnover shows punters support the concept, and oncourse attendances throughout the series confirm its popularity.  

READ: MDC Hits Lofty Mark On And Off The Track

Simply put, since its inaugural running in 2018, the Million Dollar Chase has done more to grow the sport of greyhound racing than any other event. 

But despite all of the positives, the Million Dollar Chase does not have group 1 status. In fact, it is not even classified as a group race.

Greyhound Clubs Australia is the custodian of the Group Race Calendar, setting the criteria for group race classification.

Having now been staged for seven years, the only criteria that precludes the final from group 1 status is the prizemoney breakdown. By rule, the winner must receive no more than 70% of the overall prize money. 

While the intent of that criteria is admirable, it should not – it cannot – supersede the fact that the Million Dollar Chase is greyhound racing's preeminent race.

Indeed, clause 8 of the Group Racing General Criteria allows for the GCA Racing Sub-Committee to consider applications for events to receive Group ranking outside the primary and general criteria.

The purpose of group racing is to recognise the biggest and best races in Australia. For the Million Dollar Chase not to be recognised as such is a travesty.

Sanity has finally prevailed with The Everest, the time has come for the same to happen with the Million Dollar Chase.