Hurst has no regrets about Good Odds Cash missing The Phoenix
A healthy Good Odds Cash would have lined up in the world's richest greyhound race, The Phoenix at The Meadows last Saturday night, if not for an injury.
But the three-year-old's trainer, Frank Hurst, has no complaints.
After finishing seventh in what was likely her last race – the Black Top Final at The Gardens on October 7 – the star chaser, who won almost $390,000 in prizemoney, is set to excel as a brood bitch.
Hurst is super proud of what she achieved on the track, winning 28 of her 59 starts.
Now she's ready for the next stage of her career.
“We've got her at home now waiting for her to come on season,” Hurst, based at Londonderry in western Sydney, told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“If she comes on season, we'll breed from her.
“I don't think she'll come back.”
Good Odds Cash provided Hurst – the 2019 Million Dollar Chase winner with Good Odds Harada – with no shortage of great memories this year.
In a stunning 2022, she saluted in the National Sprint Championship Final, Origin Greyhound Series Sprint, Richmond Oaks Final and Maitland Gold Cup Final.
2022 Maitland Gold Cup Final replay – Good Odds Cash (1st)
Good Odds Cash was also a gallant runner-up to She's A Pearl in the Golden Easter Egg.
It almost had the popular veteran conditioner lost for words when recalling her exploits over the past 12 months.
“What can I say? It's been a great year for us,” Hurst said.
“Good Odds Cash – she won everything she went in.
“She won the Nationals, which are prestigious.
“She won the State of Origin and the Oaks.
“Every race we set her for she won.
“She's just a freak.”
Hurst could not pinpoint anything specific when asked what has most impressed him about Good Odds Cash and the way she has gone about her racing.
“She does everything well. She's a good beginner,” he said.
“Nine out of 10 times she's a good beginner, and she runs out the 500 very strong.
“She's a good, hard-chasing bitch.”
With Good Odds Cash giving Frank and Tracey Hurst a year they will never forget, they are set to enjoy some well-earned time off.
Just like their champion bitch.
“I'm looking forward to having a break. We've sold a lot of dogs lately,” Hurst said.
“We sold Good Odds Emma, who went on and won a Group 1 race (the Dapto Megastar Final, now in the Jodie and Andy Lord kennels).
“We sold five other dogs. I sold a dog (on Saturday) morning who went to Townsville – Good Odds Rascal.
“We've got another litter at home. They'll be broken in and ready about March next year.
“So we're looking at having a couple of quiet months.”
They might have scaled back a little, but wins are never far around the corner for the Hursts.
Mia She's Fast saluted for them in the Ladbrokes North v South Christmas Challenge over 520m at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.
She still has plenty of improvement left in her after crossing the line in 30.14 seconds.
But the emerging sprinter only turns two on January 9.
“I thought it was a good run,” Hurst said.
“Everyone thought she'd lead, and I thought she'd lead myself.
“She blew that and came from behind.
“Her time wasn't that flash, but it was still a really good run.
“It was a very good field. She's only a baby.
“She's not two till next year, so she's got a bit of a future.”
Hurst said he was considering nominating Mia She's Fast for the Gosford Cup, with the heats next Tuesday, if she pulled up well from her trial at the venue on Wednesday night.
“If she goes all right, we'll put her in up there,” he said.
“Then she'll have a couple of weeks off.”