Sydney Looms Large For National Sprint Winner

NEWLY minted Group 1 winning trainer Kody Charles will now set his sights on the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase with Saige Tenniele following her powerhouse National Sprint triumph at The Meadows on Saturday night.

In the lead up to the finale, Charles told The Greyhound Recorder the backstory of how the daughter of Bernardo had gone from being on the verge of the Greyhound Adoption program all the way through to representing WA in the group 1 showpiece.

WA Star's Tale From Giveaway To Group 1 Glory?

"What an amazing few days," Charles beamed.

"I got home yesterday (Sunday) and it's all been a bit of a blur to be honest, it hasn't had the chance to sink in yet. I've received so many messages and the support here back home has been amazing.

“To everyone that's reached out, thank you.”

Saige Tenniele's National Sprint victory continued Western Australia's fantastic recent record in the race, winning three of the four most recent stagings, following West On Augie's success in 2018 before Premium Share scored in 2019.

The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.

It's an upset at The Meadows! Saige Tenniele scores an emotional win for WA trainer Kody Charles in the National Sprint Championship Final ? ? pic.twitter.com/H6SUrAMfQM

— TAB (@tabcomau) August 26, 2023

And while a cool $85,000 first prize accompanied Saturday night's National Sprint heroics, also heading Saige Tenniele's way, along with Aussie Rocks, Tinker Norm and Postman Pat, was a golden ticket into the semi-finals of the Million Dollar Chase.

"Being a race off running for $1 million you have to go that way don't you," Charles said.

"The semi-finals are on October 6 so we've got time. I'll give her a nice easy week this week and then start mapping out a plan toward getting to Sydney and that race.

"Knowing now how well she travels and settles in is a big bonus as well. After the Sydney race I'm keen to get back to The Meadows for the Hume Cup (600m) as well."

In a thrilling finish to Saturday's group 1 decider, Saige Tenniele flashed home in the concluding stages to down Victorian duo Aussie Rocks and Tinker Norm by half-a-length in 29.95.

"As soon as she jumped like she did and found a spot I knew we were in the race – I just know how strong she is," Charles said.

"We needed some things to fall into place and they did. She's just racing with so much confidence … there was a time there she wouldn't leave the fence where now she's doing whatever is necessary.

"If she holds the form she's in it's going to make for a very exciting back half of the year.”