Defending champion Good Odds Harada will have to upstage recently crowned Australian Greyhound Of The Year Simon Told Helen if he is to have a shot at winning back to back TAB Million Dollar Chase Grand Finals.
When the draw for the eight semi-finals was conducted on Monday morning, trainer Frank Hurst would have been delighted with Good Odds Harada drawing box two, the alley he won from on Saturday night in the City Qualifiers to reach the semis and the box he came out of 12 months ago to win the $1 million first prize.
But glance down the field and in box 4 is Victorian star Simon Told Helen, looking to become the first greyhound from the Southern state to win the world’s richest greyhound race.
Also in the semi, the sixth of the winner only advancing to the grand final deciders, is Dubbo Regional Final winner Nangar Silk (box 1), Nowra track record breaker Awesome Catch (box 3) Tennessee Tiger (box 5) who ran the fastest of the night, 29.79s in winning his City Qualifier on Saturday.
The Kristy Sultana trained Flying Ricciardo - who has drawn box 5 - has been brilliant recently, winning his heat and final of the Bathurst series, then topping off his preparation with a slick 29.74s win at Wentworth Park last Wednesday.
Ritza Coen, who has come up with box 7, won his place in the semis by winning the NSW Sprint Championship Final back in August. He won eight in a row before missing a place last start at Wentworth Park, but he will be stalking Flying Ricciardo on Friday night and the young dog will have to hold him out late.
Also in the semi are speedy Victorian Faithy Bale (box 3), who led throughout to win a tough Richmond Regional Final, and Ruth Matic’s promising dog Poppy Jack who clocked 29.79s when having his first look at Wenty in eight months, last Wednesday.
One of the favourites for the Grand Final, last year’s runner-up Shima Shine has come up with box 1 in a very winnable semi-final.
He is joined in the semi by Zulu Warlord (box 4), Ebby Jet Power (box 8) and Wallbanger (box 2) - all qualifiers from last Saturday - as well as Aston Zodiac (box 3) who won the Ladbrokes Gardens Regional Final.
Another series favourite, West Australian Tommy Shelby has drawn box three in semi-final four.
Tommy Shelby the WA Sprint Championship winner, who was second to Playlist in the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic at his only visit to Wentworth Park back in July, will have strong competition from speedy pair Shetland (box 3) and Queenslander Hammer Down in box 1. Another big rival in the semi will be the Karina Britton-trained Wow who has come up with box 6.
Victorian Tiggerlong Tonk who won the WaggaWagga Regional Final effortlessly, has drawn box 7 in the final heat and will get stiff opposition from Queensland Sprint Champion Stinger Noir (box 1), City Qualifier winner Cumbria Belle (box 3), and Fire Legend (box 4).
The opening semi sees Maitland Regional Final winner Whitfield drawn in the eight, with impressive City Qualifier winner, former Tasmanian Handsome Prince the big threat in box 2. Also in the semi are Robert Vines’ Seen Around, and Queenslander Cooper Dooper.
The second semi is a strong, open affair, with Whitfield’s brother, Gunnedah Regional Final winner Xerri well drawn in box two outside slow beginner and Nowra Regional Final winner Cawborne Footrot.
Peter Lagogiane’s Stardom, a great second to Shima Shine at Bulli in the Regional Final has drawn nicely in box 3, Victorian Sprint Championships winner Weblec Ace in box 4, and brilliant Northern Rivers dog All Hands Off out in box 7.
The other semi-final, the seventh, sees Dapto Regional Final winner Winlock On Top drawn 1, Tasmanian Sprint Champion Siberia in 2, Casino Regional Final winner Kooringa Lucy in box 4, Goulburn Regional Final winner Blistering in box 5 and South Australian Sprint Championships winner Shadow Mist in box 6.
Three heats of the Sydney Cup will also be part of the huge program on Friday night and they were also drawn on Monday.
Most eyes will again be on the dog who brings excitement to the track in his races, Good Juan, the greyhound who broke the internet earlier this year when his stunning last to first win went viral. He was at it again on Saturday night winning a hit out for the Cup in the same last to first manner, clocking 42.43s.
Good Juan is in heat one, drawn 4 and meets Victorian Blazing Cartier who is out in box 8.
Speed Star winner Sunset Bourbski (box 2) clashes with Here’s Tears (8) and El Rapido (5) in heat two, while track record holder Tornado Tears (box 8) returns to Sydney for a shot at the Cup in heat three.
