Waller's Right Hand Man Dreaming Of MDC Ride

CHARLIE Duckworth holds down one of the most important jobs in Australian horse racing but on Friday night he'll be at Richmond cheering on his champ Wallacia Mist in a qualifying heat of the Million Dollar Chase.

Duckworth is the assistant trainer and racing manager for Australia's premier trainer Chris Waller.

FIELDS AND FORM RICHMOND FRIDAY NIGHT

In his role he's helped manage the careers of horses like the great Winx, The Everest winner Nature Strip, who now resides in his backyard, and Waller's current superstars, Via Sistina, Fangirl, Joliestar, Riff Rocket, Zougotcha, Atishu and Autumn Glow.

"Racing the dogs is a release for me," Duckworth said.

"There's no pressure with the greyhounds. It's just pure enjoyment.

"I'm only a small shareholder but I'm having the time of my life.

Wallacia Mist, trainer Luke Brown, Charlie and the dog's other owners. Photo: Redden Photo Video Race Images.

"Compare that with the horses which are pressure from the moment I get up in the morning until I go to bed.

"Every i has to be dotted, every t has to be crossed. It's pretty intense.

"The one thing that is the same is that exhilaration you get from winning."

Wallacia Mist has proven a goldmine for her trainer Luke Brown and connections which also boasts other thoroughbred participants like Duckworth's wife Kathy O'Hara and Warwick Farm trainer Jason Coyle.

The regally-bred daughter of Superior Panama is out of Nicki Fields, the dam of champion chasers and stud dogs Hooked On Scotch and Out Of Range, as well as superstar Poke The Bear.

Wallacia Mist has won 11 of her 35 starts and has earned more than $53,000.

On Friday, Wallacia Mist will contest the first of two heats of the Richmond Million Dollar Chase series and the brindle chaser has come up with the prized inside draw.

"Luke was saying the other day this is the first time this year she's had box one," Duckworth said.

"Hopefully she makes good use of the draw on Friday.

"If she can win, I'd be really happy for Luke and his wife Anne. They put so much work into the dogs.

"I think Luke is the only bloke in the world that works harder than Chris (Waller).

"He's got his business interests as well as the dogs and his equestrian horses.

"The man never stops so hopefully Misty can do the job for him."