Whitfield's Million Dollar Chase Punt

ON the footy field superstar AFL midfielder Lachie Whitfield exudes all kinds of talents.

Poise, speed and stamina bridled with an abundance of class are traits that readily spring to mind about the Greater Western Sydney Giants gun.

And as fate would have it they are the very attributes being exhibited by crack young greyhound Whitfield, second favourite for the opening semi-final of the TAB Million Dollar Chase (520m) at Wentworth Park on Friday night.

"I'd heard a greyhound had been named after me which is pretty cool," Whitfield said.

"A couple of mates sent me the video of his first win at Maitland when he won by a mile and I got a kick out of it.

"With footy and being away I haven't been following him that closely but with the way he's going I wish I had been.

"I'll definitely be watching Friday night and if he makes the final I will try and get out there to cheer him on.

"I wouldn't mind getting involved in a greyhound – hopefully one as good as him!"

Boasting six sublime wins and four seconds from 10 career starts, Whitfield heads into Friday night's opening qualifier as the second least experienced greyhound to reach this juncture of the series.

But it's a scenario trainer Darryl Thomas is playing to his advantage, with the reward for victory a shot at the $1 million first prize in the world's richest greyhound race.

"He's still on the way up and improving which is what you're after early on in their careers," Thomas said.

"I couldn't be happier with him going into Friday – he's ticking over great.

"Box eight suits and on paper he's struck one of the more winnable semi-finals.

"He hasn't won yet on two-turns but his trials at Wentworth Park I couldn't have been happier with.

"I'm going into the race with a fit and happy dog."

In the past 12 months, Hunter Valley-based Thomas has been enjoying significant success, the 42-year-old firmly establishing himself as one of New South Wales' brightest conditioners.

And Whitfield isn't the only greyhound Thomas has qualified for Friday night's semi-finals with the immensely talented Xerri, named after disgraced rugby league player Bronson Xerri, drawn to go around in the second semi-final from box two.

A brother to Whitfield, Xerri has faced the starter on 12 occasions for six wins and three minors, progressing to the semi-final stage via his victory in the Gunnedah qualifier.

"He trialled close to the record at The Gardens last Friday so he's spot on," Thomas said.

"There's more depth to his semi-final than Whitfield's but I like box two for him and he couldn't be any better going into the race.

"You need a lot to go your way in a series like this but I've got no doubt he's got the ability to match it with anything. They both do.

"Xerri's an extremely fast dog – he just needs to begin on Friday and he'll be very hard to beat."

Friday night's TAB Million Dollar Chase semi-finals brings together 64 of Australia's best greyhounds, all vying for a berth in next week's lucrative grand final.

One of the more eagerly awaited clashes looms in race six where reigning Million Dollar Chase winner Good Odds Harada tackles four-time Group 1-winning Victorian Simon Told Helen.

Race four will see pre-post series elect Shima Shine start all-the-rage from box one, the star Victorian looking to go one better than last year's courageous second to Good Odds Harada.

And in race five, budding NSW superstar Flying Ricciardo will exit the five box in a bid to secure a place in Friday week's grand finale for Kristy Sultana.