They were the last two scraping into the Ladbrokes Gardens’ Regional Final of the TAB Million Dollar Chase as fastest third placegetters seven days earlier. But on Saturday night, they were the fastest of all the finalists, finishing first and second and advancing now to the MDC semi-finals at Wentworth Park on October 9.
Last week the pair of Astons - Zodiac and Lee - both which belong to leading owner Ray Borda, were third in their respective heats of the Chase. A week is a long time in racing and this time around, it was Aston Zodiac just prevailing to win over Aston Lee, with the Robert Vines-trained Seen Around in third, and also gaining a start in the MDC semis.
Showing brilliant early speed, Aston Zodiac - winner of the consolation of the Group 2 Black Top, the MACCA at the Gardens last month - roared across the field from box seven posting a 4.92s first sectional, to lead clearly on settling with Aston Lee working into second place rounding the first turn.
And that was where they would stay, albeit despite a late surge from Aston Lee cutting the margin to a bare minimum on the line, with the winner posting a smart 29.42s.
“It was a real thrill because I wasn’t expecting it,” said Leanne Grimwood, wife of trainer Geoff. “It’s overwhelming, the hard work and the hard yards you put in every day is mindblowing.
“We’re just happy because it’s great to have that opportunity to go through to the next stage.
“She absolutely loves it here but when the box draw came out last week, we really wanted one, two or three. But tonight, she came out running.
“She’s a good little honest bitch who always gives 110 per cent. She is in good form, she hasn’t been out of the money very often. She’s just a good honest Chaser.”
April Mackay, daughter of trainer Jason was delighted with the performance of Aston Lee, particularly as he had only the one 500m run since injuring a fibula at Wentworth Park back in July.
“It was a good run,” April said. “We look at him as a dog that leads but tonight he came out ordinarily, drove up, got into a little bit of trouble, then to run it (the winner) to a half (length), it was a big run.
“And to have had only one 500m under his belt, to run home the way he did tonight, we went ‘righto’.”
Seen Around was the fastest qualifier into the final with a 29.37s heat win, but had to contend with box four in the final. He navigated it well enough to finish in third and at just start 18, that was all that mattered to his trainer.
“He’s made it through and I’m happy with that,” Vines said. “We get to go down to town. It was a hard race tonight, so I’m just happy to be there (in the semis) … I really am. He’s come along really well, and I’m over the moon with the dog.
“I honestly didn’t think he’d get through tonight, so I’m just so happy that he did, and I’m happy to have a dog that has got ability.”
