Good Odds Cash Races Into MDC Mix

TWO years ago, Tracey and Frank Hurst became instant millionaires when Good Odds Harada took out the 2019 TAB Million Dollar Chase.

The couple are now just one win away from having a shot of winning another $1 million.

The lightly-raced Good Odds Cash won her way into the semi-finals of the Million Dollar Chase with victory in the Zone 1 NSW Sprint Championship at Dapto on Thursday night.

Due to the State being cut by lock down restrictions, GRNSW decided that this year two editions of the NSW Sprint Championship would be staged, one for those outside of the locked down region – at Bathurst last Monday which was won by the Mick Hardman-trained Zulu Warlord – and the other for those locked in, held at Dapto.

Both winners won a ticket into the Chase semi-finals, but following the announcement on Monday of a postponement of the series, the Hursts will have to wait until April next year for their crack at making another Million Dollar Chase Grand Final.

But, as Frank pointed out, the delay probably suits Good Odds Cash as she is just 22 months old, and when it comes to preparing a dog to win the big one, he has been there before.

"I know how to win one," Frank said with a chuckle. "All credit to her, she is a super bitch and the series getting pushed back will suit her down to the ground.

Good Odds Cash has won a thrilling Zone 1 NSW National Sprint Championship at @DaptoG, holding off a fast-finishing Zipping Kyrgios to win in 29.51 and secure a #MDC Semi Final berth…

Full Results: https://t.co/yb4Qhk6XRs#thedogs #nationals #nswnationals pic.twitter.com/y316SbIs4b

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) August 12, 2021

"Look if it was on now still, she was going to be in it, she was going through the heats, but because she's still young, the extra time will be a benefit to her.

"She was terrible box dog early, doing all stupid things, but now she's got her act together and she is showing everyone how good she is

"She can go anywhere. I've been told she is the fastest bitch to ever go around Bulli apparently running 26.00s, her first look at Richmond out of the 500m boxes, she ran 30.34s, and she has won five on the trot here at Dapto, running 29.5s and not many go better."

Asked if he saw any similarities between Good Odds Cash and Good Odds Harada, Frank said: "Well she's running the same times he was at that age. He ran 26 dead at Bulli, he ran 29.5 at Dapto, but he only ran 30.50s at Richmond."

Having just her 19th race start, Good Odds Cash improved her record to 11 wins and three placings, and maintained her perfect record of five runs for five wins over the Dapto 520m with the 29.51s performance.

Showing good speed from box three, Good Odds Cash was challenged in the run to the first turn by On The Rocks, but taking full advantage on the inside, she was able to push through and hold the front, but her main rival, the John Finn-trained Zipping Kyrgios had slid across from box 8 and was into third heading into the back.

The four length lead over her rival up the back, was slowly shrinking, but running good time up front made it very hard for Zipping Kyrgios to run her down and he couldn't, missing ¾ length, with the pair streeting their rivals, with a further 7¾ lengths back to On The Rocks in third.

Super Estrella winning the NSW Distance Championship at Dapto

Super Estrella has for some time promised to be a handy stayer and Smith has always suggested this would be the case. She had been running some very fast times over the middle distance trips at Bulli and Richmond, but this was the first time she was stepping up to the 729m trip and she will be better for the experience.