Two weeks from tonight, one greyhound, and their connections, will be richer by $1,000,000, an amazing amount of money by anybody standards. That is what awaits the winner of the Million Dollar Chase. Five outstanding preludes have been drawn for tonight at Wentworth Park, with the placegetters from these preludes to join the winner of the 2022 Golden Easter Egg final from last Saturday night, She’s A Pearl, together with the placegetters from the 14 regional finals recently held across New South Wales, plus the winner of the 2022 Broken Hill Cup and the 2021 State Sprint Championship winners in each state, territory and New Zealand, in eight semi finals to be run next Saturday night. What a night that promises to be.
Last night at Geelong, the recently turned 4 year old Yozo Bale, took out the Group 2 Geelong Gold Cup (520m), in his third attempt at the event, having finished runner up in 2021 and unplaced in 2020. Trained at Anakie by husband and wife team, Correy and Samantha Grenfell, Yozo Bale sat on the speedy leader Aston Merit until the home turn, before racing away to score by almost three lengths in a fast 29.69. The winner of the 2020 Bendigo and Ballarat Cups, plus being placed in several other group races, Yozo Bale made it win number 31 and took his career earnings to #380,101 with his victory. Now let us look at the preludes tonight and see if we can continue our recent excellent form and steer our followers into a few more winners.
Wentworth Park Race 4 No 1 Zara’s Ivan $3.00 at PlayUp – Victorian who performed very well during the recent Golden Easter Egg series. Strong second to Idolise in fast time in the heat before being slow out and running on for a nice 4th in the final behind She’s A Pearl. Generally, begins better from an inside draw and has the speed to hold the rails in this. Does like racing at this venue. Do It (2) also races very well here and loves an inside draw, whilst Louis Rumble (8) can improved on his effort in the Egg final where he led and was disappointing. Selections: 1-8-2-3.
Wentworth Park Race 5 No 2 Big Opal Rocks $3.80 at PlayUp – Very hard prelude to assess due to the appearance of two young Victorian sprinters having their first race starts at the track, being Big Opal Rocks (2) and Plaintiff (3). We are selecting Big Opal Rocks, who can run simply astonishing times with a clear passage. Plaintiff is a leader who may find it tough to hold off the charging strong finishers in this. Zippy Tesla (4) is another who hits the line hard. And we are leaving out Golden Easter Egg finalist Tachycardic (6), showing how even the race is. Selections: 2-4-3-1.
Wentworth Park Race 6 No 6 Lala Kiwi $3.40 at PlayUp – Winner of the 2022 Australian Cup, after a narrow second in the 2021 Melbourne Cup, shows she is proven at this level of racing. Empty box inside her will do her no harm. Very speedy so can find the front from this draw. All class. Photo Man (8) was excellent at Sandown Park during the recent Launching Pad series, and he has trialled well here in the lead up to the National Derby in January. Levitation (3) trialled nicely here during the week and can be expected to put in a bold showing. Selections: 6-8-3-1.
Wentworth Park Race 7 No 1 Castle Warrior $1.85 at PlayUp – Another extremely open prelude and we have settled on the red runner because we think he can hold the inside and the lead from his draw. Bulli Gold Cup (G2) and Ultra Sense (G3) wins recently prove he can hold his own in the top company. Boston Gardens (4) is the obvious danger, but he does need to get the rails early and his draw is awkward. Handsome Rhino was disappointing at Wagga his last two, but he has won here in fast time previously. Daph’s Ascend never runs a bad race. Selections: 1-4-6-2.
Wentworth Park Race 8 No 7 Wow She’s Fast $1.60 at PlayUp – Outstanding Victorian who smashed the clock in winning the G2 Launching Pad last week at Sandown Park. Trialled super here on Tuesday. Only bad luck can bring her undone. She does have the speed to cross and lead throughout. The WA visitor Vice Grip (8) is the recent winner of the G1 Perth Cup, so expect him to run a real race in this. Billy Creek (6) is a very consistent dog who races well at this venue. But we think it will be all eyes on the clock to see what Wow She’s Fast can run. Selections: 7-8-6-1.
