All eyes will be on Wentworth Park on Saturday night with the city qualifiers of the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase set to be run and won.
Each of the eight winners will book their ticket to the October 6 semi-finals, with the four fastest seconds also securing safe passage to the next round.
Tough way to start the qualifiers program. Zipping Remus (7) has had a few cracks at qualifying for the semi-finals with unplaced efforts in both regional finals at Goulburn and Maitland. The 2023 G1 Vic Peters winner had no luck in either race so he’s due a change in fortune. An eight-time winner at the track from 11 starts, he has a race-fastest PB of 29.33 and can atone from a suitable Box 7 draw. One Hot Bandit (8) is also a Wenty Park specialist with nine victories from 13 goes around the circuit. He’s unbeaten in four starts from the pink but may struggle to cross Zipping Remus. Bella Una (1) is drawn to get the run of the race and was G1-placed here back in July behind Peter Mosman Opal winner Nangar Lucy. She will need to improve on back-to-back 30.11 runs in town. While Victorian visitor and unlucky Black Top finalist, Head The Charge (6), will appreciate a vacant box to his inside as he wants to crash left.
The Hound Tips
Zipping Remus $3.80 (Ladbrokes prices as of 12pm on Friday, September 29).
Interesting field with no real stand out choice. Coco Model (3) is G1-placed at the track but it was way back in January of 2022. Has plenty of experience in town with a massive 41 starts at Wenty Park (10 wins and 16 placings) and has run in the G1 Paws Of Thunder and Richmond Cannonball finals this year. Backing her to lead and may be too tough for the chasing pack. Zipping Caleb (2) is an up-and-comer who won the Zoom Top Maiden at Goulburn in August. In the right kennel, has won twice at track and trip, and finds this race off a career best run of 29.88 at Wenty. Fascinate Mel (5) has cracked the half century of starts at the track (52: 11-8-9) and brings good early pace to the contest. Needs to lead to win but could surprise a few if she crosses them early. And Tommy Kade (6) is a G3 New Sensation winner at the track but has only had the one run since June 24 so maybe some fitness doubts.
Another race with a host of chances. Go Bears (5) was pretty good in the Black Top Heats despite being three wide the trip. Ran a good race in The MACCA last start but the squeeze draw here makes it harder. G1-placed the National Derby in January behind Victa Damian reads well and but will need to pinch a break to hold off some fast finishers in behind. Cumbria Kid (2) has gone sub-30 seconds in three straight at Nowra to show there’s still some pace in the old boys legs. Strike rate at Wenty Park isn’t that flash (17: 3-2-3) but did win in 29.73 at the track in March. Punter’s Bandit (6) hasn’t raced over 520m since March, with the Lord camp instead tackling some feature racing over further with the G2 Gosford Gold Cup winner. Ran third in the NSW National Distance final behind Zipping Vanessa last start and will be strong late, so if she’s close enough, she could finish over the top of them. Fast Reason (4) is in the right kennel for this series but may not have the reps in the legs after only three starts in six months (the latest back on June 15). Could lead but might be suspect late.
Hot race with three dogs who in particular who wouldn’t look out of place as a MDC champion. Zipping Orlando (1) made his name as a sprinter but really put it up in lights as a stayer. G1 Association Cup and ‘715’ winner but has gone 29.52 over the 520m at Wenty since those big feature victories. Draws to get a great rails run in behind some early speed in Boxes 2 and 3 and will be flying home. Yet to lose from the red. Len Me Dad (6) has spent the last month racing at Sandown and brings back a win and three placings. Has produced a 29.47 run at Wenty Park (fastest in race) and finished top three in all but one of his 13 starts at the track. Starline Express (2) has been battling niggly injuries for months and Reggie Gardoll admits he might be underdone. Flies to the first mark (5.41 PB) and is a G1 placegetter behind Victa Damian from earlier in the year at the track. Pace in Box 3 a worry too. And Cumbria Days (8) is another strong, bread and butter dog for Steve Fitch. Never far from the frame and was less than a length off G1 winner Idolize last start.
Intriguing event full of Victorian flavour. Crackerjack Boom (2) made NSW debut at Wenty Park back in July, winning in 29.81 before doing it again in 29.80 last Saturday. G1 Maturity finalist in July and has run 29.47 at Sandown, now with the smart Sam Sultana for a tilt at the MDC. Fellow Victorian Stealth (1) went to the Dapto Megastar series and was luckless behind kennelmate Umberto in the final. Heat run of 29.65 was impressive though and the seven-time Group finalist now draws perfectly to make his presence felt. Blue Goose Boy (6) is only young but is yet to miss a drum in six starts at Wenty Park. Good race when a Melbourne Cup winner in Yachi Bale (3) is the fourth elect. Has only won the solitary race this year but is in against guns every week. Was an Easter Egg semi-finalist in April and then ran second to Mortified in The Ambrosoli a week later.
The tough races keep coming. Bolt Wave (5) is a son of Sky Wave who ran third in the first ever edition of the MDC. Half brother to Remember This who also qualified for the semis through the Megastar and will have to overcome the squeeze box here to do the same. Debuted in the Zoom Top Maiden Heats in late-July and was OK but busted the clock at Wenty last Wednesday with a 29.57 victory. Will know his fate in first 50m. Jay Is Jay (2) copped all sorts of early pressure in the Grafton final and by the time he got clear air, Cash Master and co. were off and gone. Could only muster a fourth-placed finish and now has to return to Wenty Park to qualify. A star in QLD who would make a mess of them if he can find his best in NSW. Street Of Dreams (3) is the reigning Chief Havoc Cup winner and a Brother Fox finalist behind She’s A Pearl. Strong dog in a good camp but might be a run or two short after six weeks off. Will be steaming home if he’s ready to go. And Midnight Spritz (4) has only had the five career starts but they couldn’t have been much more impressive. Three big wins and a PB of 29.75 reads well for the youngster but how will she go against some seasoned performers?
Palawa King (1) finds a seven-dog field which can only suit the powerful G1 winner. He’s probably better over further but he’s clocked 29.53 at Wenty and has five wins and eight minors at the Glebe-based circuit. Box 1 should see him settle in a handy spot and then it would take something out of the box to fend him off late. Make No Promise (2) might be the dog to produce the upset. Victorian runner who joined the Gatt kennel for the MDC and was a touch unlucky to finish fourth in the Richmond final behind Nad Al Sheba. A G1 runner-up in July down South behind Launch Code and has other form around the likes of Umberto, Landy Bale and Crumble Monelli. Nangar Larry (7) has excelled at a few tracks around NSW but Wenty Park hasn’t been one of them so far. Four career runs for just three minors and a PB of 30.07. Part of a good litter and has the Lord polish too. And Energizer Miss (4) is a tough old veteran of 87 starts who comes off a 29.99 victory over G1 placegetter Remember This last weekend. Will run an honest race as always.
Maybe the lightest Heat in terms of quality and looks a race in two. Screaming Jet (6) could be a feature race winner already with a bit more luck in running. Southern Stars runner-up and NSW National Sprint placegetter who never got a crack at them in the Dapto Megastar Heats. A month or so between runs could freshen him up and loves Wenty Park (16: 8-5-1 at track and trip). Quantifiable (7) made that Megastar final and then had a crack at the Nowra MDC regional series. Poor draw in the final cruelled her chances there though. Needs to lead or be on pace to win but is improving all the time and sister to very good sprinters Mortified and Modern Swinger. Tangible Asset (1) has done the bulk of his racing at Wenty with 18 runs resulting in four wins and four placings. PB of 29.94 probably wouldn’t get it done. While Rippin’ Grace (8) brings some rare WA form to the series but has been racing over further recently. G1-placed over 710m so will be flying home.
