When outback trainer Kaylene Hatzi first saw the fields for the regional heats of the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase at Broken Hill, she would have been forgiven for coughing up her morning cup of joe.
You see, outside of maybe Cup week in the past, multiple Group 1 winning trainers don’t often descend on the state’s most isolated track.
So when Hatzi saw the names ‘Mark Delbridge’ and ‘Robert Britton’ among the trainers nominating for the two heats of the MDC on Sunday evening, she could barely believe her eyes.
“My family has been in greyhounds since this track was built. My dad Ray Robertson and uncle Bob Robertson were both part of building the track out here. My mum, Lorraine, is still racing now and these two [Delbridge and Britton] would be among the best to ever send dogs out here,” Hatzi said.
“And it’s always great to see the good dogs and trainers come to Broken Hill. It makes the series more interesting, the city trainers get to see what our track is like and we’re excited to have them.”
And the Victorian runners aren’t just making up the numbers.
The Delbridge-trained Ailee Bale ran second to Showman Jack in the 2023 Country Classic and is a multiple group placegetter, while kennelmate Landyn Bale ran third in the Group 1 Silver Chief and has won 44% of her 52 race starts.
Landyn Bale's most recent NSW runs were a second to Salad Dodger and a third to Zipping Orlando in heats of the Southern Stars series
Meanwhile, the Britton-prepared siblings, Trapper and Trooper Tears, ran the quinella in this year’s Group 3 Launching Pad, and both went around in the Group 1 Harrison Dawson decider.
The pair are also littermates to staying phenom Like Wildfire.
The highly talented quartet, already boasting 54 race wins and over $640,000 in career prizemoney, living proof of the far reaching places trainers will go for a chance to win a million bucks.
“I think it’s a fantastic show of commitment from these guys to drive nine or ten hours to Broken Hill, but the reward is fantastic if they get through as well,” said Broken Hill Club President, Regan Edgecumbe.
“It’s obviously great for our club but it’s almost a bit overwhelming to be honest. These guys are Group winning, star trainers and they are attending Broken Hill. I almost can’t believe it.”
“And it’s not just them. Hats off to Dan Pell who is coming back with track record holder Red Reactor. Bronwyn Welsh might have a chance with Kruger Lass and the Trengove camp are always big supporters of the club too, so we wish them all the best.”
Could the Broken Hill track record of 30.23, held by Red Reactor (pictured), be broken this weekend?
Hatzi, currently a runaway leader in the Broken Hill trainer’s premiership for 2023, admitting local knowledge “probably won’t help” her charge, Who Knows Lyn in the opening heat.
“She’s been running well around here but now these big kennels are coming up, we don’t have a lot of hope. She’s just starting her career and even though she’s got a few wins [four in a row at Broken Hill], she’s still learning and is only a baby really,” Hatzi said.
“Yes, she knows the track, which might help a little bit, but they will probably be too classy for her. In saying that, if there’s any gaps, she’s got a big heart and she will be trying to push through them.”
Ben Carswell is another Broken Hill local attempting to upset the apple cart, with the 42-year-old set to rug up Mystic Jewel and Reiko Live Wire.
“I’ll admit it was tough seeing the fields and knowing some of the top trainers in Australia are coming out, but we definitely welcome them. They’re supporting the club so good on them and it’s good to get some tab meetings in country NSW,” Carswell said.
“It looks a bit hard for Mystic Jewel. She’s still getting some confidence back and Box 8 doesn’t help at all. She has gone 30.83 but that won’t be fast enough to get through. She did make the September final out here last year though.”
“And Reiko Live Wire is a very honest bitch who tries her guts out every week. She might be a bit old for this type of race now, but she can definitely get through to the final if she runs her best.”
Carswell not hung up on the idea of winning the MDC, instead just enjoying doing what he loves with his family.
“I started training as a hobby and I’m addicted to it now. Me, my wife Tammy and her parents Wendy and Peter make up the ‘Carswhit’ syndicate and we’ve got eight dogs. I’m a seven days on, seven days off boilermaker at the Perilya mine so I couldn’t do this without them,” Carswell added.
“And the dogs are just beautiful animals, sometimes they’re a lot of work, but it’s all worth it to see them improve and run around in races like this.”
The top four from each of Sunday’s heats will advance to the September 10 regional final at Broken Hill. The first three across the line in that race will gain a ticket to the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase semi-finals at Wentworth Park on October 6.
