Flying Ricciardo Successfully Takes His First MDC Steps
By Michael Cowley
It was at the same venue 12 months ago when a dog named Good Odds Harada embarked on a campaign in the TAB Million Dollar Chase. He won his heat and final at that Bathurst track, and less than two months later, he would be crowned grand final champion and win his connections $1 million.
At Bathurst on Monday night, another group of dogs kick started their Million Dollar Chase campaigns, and while there is a lot of water to pass under the bridge, and lot of racing to happen between now and then, it would not be a major surprise if the Central West again produced the winner.
He has become the ‘It’ dog of NSW greyhound racing, an excitement machine, and at Bathurst on Monday Flying Ricciardo did what he had to do to in opening his MDC account with a slick 29.58s heat win. He now progresses to next Monday’s Regional Final, and a first three placing there sees him bound for the semi-finals of the world richest greyhound race at Wentworth Park on October 9. A win there and he has a one in eight shot at $1 million.
But, for now, it’s small steps, week by week, day by day.
“It feels good … it’s a relief,” said trainer Kristy Sultana of getting the heat win with her still young dog who registered win number 11 from start 13 on Monday.
“We’re happy to be here and now we’ll see what next week brings.
“He began OK tonight. We’re happy. He’s done everything right, we can’t complain. He’s doing everything week by week and we’re ecstatic.”
Asked if she dare to dream a little further down the track, Kristy replied: “No not really. It’s day by day, and it’s greyhound racing, so anything can happen.”
Jumping from box one, Flying Ricciardo showed his customary early dash and importantly led his rivals through the first turn. From there it was really all over, and he went on to win by 1¾ lengths over an eye-catching Zipping Truvy, with Still Blue third and Midnight Escape also qualifying for the Regional Final by finishing fourth.
The opening heat was taken out by the Ron Steel-trained Fast Eddie Cargo in 30.13s, just holding off a late surge by Fernando Porche, with Hartley Entry third, and Typhoon To Excel also qualifying for the final finishing fourth.
It was the 13th win of his 26 start career, and the past five have come in succession all at Bathurst, but until Monday, all had been over the shorter 450m, not the 520m of the MDC heats.
“It’s very exciting for me,” Ron said. “I thought he was getting a bit tired at the end, but he went very well I thought. He looked pretty good.
“He's only been running 450s and I gave him a trial here about a week ago over 520m, just to give him a look at the straight (where the 520m starts).
“I think he can improve with that run, he improves with each run normally, so we’ll see how he goes next week. I think he will break the 30s next week.”
