Nad Al Sheba continued his love affair with Maitland overnight as the seasoned chaser claimed the first regional final of the 2024 Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase.
The son of Beast Unleashed, who was the third favourite behind young guns Rinsed The Lot and Barefoot Zulu ahead of Monday’s showdown, made it four wins from seven starts at the Hunter Valley track.
Trainer Peter Lagogiane declaring it one of the best wins of his career.
“They’ve got a strong head wind and it’s a swirling wind too, up the back straight, they’ve got that in their faces. He showed his experience, he showed what he can do…he had mighty dogs chasing him, he just proved too good tonight and accolades to the winner,” Lagogiane said post-race.
Jumping from Box 3, Nad Al Sheba was beautifully away and trailed only Rocky Reef through the first bend.
The eventual winner shifted to the outside of the leader as they rounded for home, with both Rinsed The Lot and Barefoot Zulu quickly emerging from the chasing pack to mount their own challenges.
But Nad Al Sheba had plenty left in the tank and powered to the line for a deserved win in a time of 25.04.
Rinsed The Lot ran second by half a length, with Barefoot Zulu 1.25 lengths in arrears. Both greyhounds also qualify for the semi-finals.
But all honours went to Nad Al Sheba who registered his 22nd race victory from 46 starts, earning him his second successive spot in the semi-finals of the MDC.
And it’s been a wonderful 12 months for connections with appearances in the Golden Easter Egg final (fourth behind Mackenna), the Bob Payne Sprint (fifth behind Zipping Megatron), the Maitland Cup (second to Nangar Jim), as well victory in listed ‘Collerson’.
The prospect of a third million-dollar victory now firmly on the radar for Lagogiane who won the inaugural race in 2018 with Mystic Riot and again in 2020 with Handsome Prince.
“It’s what dreams are made of,” Lagogiane said.
“Timmy Newbold (former SKY Racing caller) said it…it was a dream, now a reality, it’ll be that for somebody in four or five weeks, we’re hoping it is for us again but if it isn’t, whoever’s up there winning, collecting that cheque, kudos to them.”
Nad Al Sheba ran third in the 2023 semi-finals of the Ladbrokes MDC behind Yachi Bale
“We’ve looked at the Black Top with him [Nad Al Sheba] but we’ll see how he pulls up, he’ll tell us. We’re in the biggest race of the calendar, I don’t have to go anywhere else, I just have to concentrate on that really, why ruin the moment.”
The master trainer staying tight-lipped on the upcoming MDC targets for some of the promising youngsters in his kennel.
“Can’t let the cat out of the bag…we’re not sure yet. Obviously Angel Shirley is another one [who will try and qualify] and Depeche pulled up a little bit sore the other day but we should have her right by the end of the week,” Lagogiane added.
The 2024 Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase continues on Wednesday with Temora hosting its regional final.
The Jason Thompson-prepared Explicit is the current $2.20 favourite, just ahead of new track record holder Heidi McGraw at $2.70.
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