Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase

Shima Primed To Move Up One Place In 2020

By Michael Cowley
Caretaker trainer Ross Davidson knew the objective for his dog in the Bulli Regional Final of the TAB Million Dollar Chase on Tuesday night. It was all about getting through to the next stage of the series.

And in reality that box was all but ticked, about 10 strides after the start of the race. 

“The number one (priority) was to finish first, second or third and get through to those semis, and not have worry about coming back up here again,” Davidson said.

Mission well and truly accomplished as the dog in his care, Victorian Shima Shine, gave little else a chance racing away to win in 25.87s, just a length or so outside the Bulli track record.

It’s exactly what he did 12 months ago. Shima Shine won the Bulli Regional Final and booked a berth in the semis. Shima Shine would go on to win that semi, and then at just career start number 12, he would finish two lengths behind Good Odds Harada in the TAB Million Dollar Chase Grand Final. 

A year on, with so much more experience, it would be a brave punter to be betting against Shima Shine not moving up one place in this year’s Million Dollar Chase.

“He’s gone great again,” said Davidson, who has looked after the dog for the Dailly kennel, collecting it from a courier at Albury, taking it to his home just outside Lithgow, then bringing the dog to the races the following day, for both the heat and final at Bulli.

“He’s just a beautiful dog, he’s relaxed in the kennels, he travels beautifully. I met him for the first time last week and he has taken to me like I was an old friend.”

Who knows what the upcoming month holds with COVID-19 restrictions, but Davidson could be heading to the border town again in early October to collect Shima Shine, and he would be more than happy to do so. 

Jumping for the eight box, Shima Shine stepped with his rivals, and then shifted up a gear and raced to the lead. Even at that early stage it seemed a matter of times and margins, and that was the case.


In 2018, Peter Lagogiane and his wife JODIE won the Million Dollar Chase with Mystic Riot, and they took a step towards another final appearance in 2020 when promising dog Stardom was gallant in finishing 2¾ lengths behind the Victorian superstar in second place.

“I’m ecstatic, we’ve finally got one through,” Lagogiane said. “He’s a promising dog and an up and comer, and he’s just Chased home probably the best dog in the land. You couldn’t be happier with his performance.”

Third place went to the Karina Britton-trained Wow who ran home strongly out wide on the track to gain a berth into the semi-finals.

Sadly the defending Million Dollar Chase champion Good Odds Harada had no luck early and finished on the heels of the placegetters. He will now have to head to Wentworth Park on October 3 for the City Preludes to try and gain a berth in the semi-finals.