In 2019, Good Odds Harada took out the Bathurst Regional Final of the TAB Million Dollar Chase, and a little over a month later Frank and Tracey Hurst were collecting a cheque for $1 million. In 2020, the Central West racetrack is this time hosting the latest star in the racing ranks, with Flying Ricciardo to contest the heats of the series on Monday.
The Group 2 Black Top winner has drawn box one in the second of two Million Dollar Chase heats at Kennerson Park on Monday, and while he will be making his Bathurst debut, trainer Kristy Sultana said the dog did trial well at the track this week.
“He went 29.6s, first look at the track, and apparently the first and second sections he ran were unheard of, I was told,” Kristy said.
The decision to head to Bathurst was similar to that of many trainers in the series - try to qualify early so that if you fail, you still have other opportunities.
“We didn’t really want to go to Bulli because there will be a lot of good dogs going there, and I want to be able to give him another chance if he doesn’t make it through,” Kristy said.
“And it doesn’t hurt him to go around different tacks, he’s got to do it everywhere, not just at one track.”
Flying Ricciardo took his record to 10 wins and two placings from 12 starts with another dazzling all the way win in the Sires On Ice Black Top Final at LADBROKES GARDENS last Friday night.
“He pulled up great, like nothing had happened,” Kristy said. “Nothing worries him, he’s just that type of dog.”
Flying Ricciardo has drawn box 1 in his heat, the only other time he exited the box being at Wentworth Park over the 280m and he clocked a sizzling 15.92s.
“It’s always good to have box one, but I don’t mind him coming out from the outside either to be honest. Dennis Barnes’ dog went well last night too, so he won’t have it all his own way.”
After winning in best of the night time at Dubbo last week, Nangar Diva clocked more best of the night figures with a slick 29.65s win at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night.
