Lochinvar Chase Cements MDC Crack

BOOM NSW youngster Lochinvar Chase has cemented his chance to contest the TAB Million Dollar Chase with a breathtaking trial at The Gardens on Tuesday morning.

Winner at his two career starts at Richmond over the 330 metres in mesmerising fashion, running 18.43 and 18.53, trainer Robert Smith has been toying with the idea of tackling the MDC with the highly talented son of Barcia Bale and Elcee Jay, despite being just 20 months of age.

It's reasonable to say that decision was made all the more easier on Tuesday morning for the Group 1 winning trainer, following the star youngster's whirlwind trial.

Stepping up to the 515 metres for the first time, Lochinvar Chase peeled off sectionals of 4.89 and an astonishing 16.98 up the back before posting 29.50 overall.

His 12.52 run home expected to improve significantly with the benefit of Tuesday's hit-out.

To give those times further context, Aston Duke went 4.92 and 17.12 before running 29.37 to qualify fastest for the Group 2 Black Top last week, a series he landed on Friday night securing his 26th race win.

Since Lochinvar Chase's most recent Richmond victory, Smith has been on a fact finding mission with his sleek black chaser, his trial times at Wentworth Park, The Gardens and Maitland in recent weeks more than rubber stamping his MDC prospects.

All things being equal, the star young conveyance will step out in The Gardens Million Dollar Chase heats on Saturday, September 21, the next time we'll see the prodigious talent, owned by Heather Gordon, at the races.

The Gardens MDC qualifiers are shaping up as one of the strongest regional series, with Group 1 Golden Easter Egg runner-up Federal Lilly another likely contender for trainer Peter Lagogiane.

Jason Mackay, winner of the Group 2 Black Top on Friday night with Aston Duke, is expected to play a strong hand in the series as well, with a number of top flight commodities on track for the qualifiers.

With some star-studded sprinters set to line-up, the appearance of Lochinvar Chase is sure to add even greater intrigue to an already exciting series.