Magistrate wins Million Dollar Chase regional final
Magistrate held court once again to take out the Million Dollar Chase (MDC) regional final at Casino on Thursday afternoon.
Trained by Greg Stella, Magistrate started at $2.40 with greyhound bookmakers, against another Queensland-trained hope Another Chance, who began as $3 second-favourite.
Magistrate finished runner up in last week’s Casino MDC heat, behind Magic Secret, who finished runner up in the final.
At box rise in the 484m final, Magistrate jumped straight to the lead with Magic Secret ($5.50) and Kingsbrae Boo ($15) in pursuit.
Magistrate was able to swing off the final corner and kick away to win by close to seven lengths (6.25 lengths) in front of Magic Secret and Kingsbrae Boo, in a time of 27.22.
Trainer Stella said he was impressed with the performance.
“I’ve just been told that the time he ran was the quickest time they’ve run here by a few lengths, so you have to be happy with that,” he said.
“We trialled him before the heat to give him a look at the track.
“He finished well second last week, but came out today and went one better.”
The son of Fernando Bale and Inspired Hope has 21 wins and 12 placings from 39 career starts and has banked $284,070 in prize-money.
With a career that began in November last year, with a win over the 366m at Capalaba, he notched up four straight wins to start his career.
He has gone on to take out the Group 3 Ipswich Auction Series final on March 15 this year, before finishing third in the Group 2 Flying Amy Classic final and Ipswich Young Guns final.
Magistrate also saluted in the Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Sprint Final on June 15, beating home Hello Mike and Wyndra All Class, by 1.75 lengths.
Casino MDC Regional Final – Magistrate (27.22) T: Greg Stella
Magistrate now qualifies for direct entry to the Million Dollar Chase semi-finals along with Magic Secret and Kingsbrae Boo.
“It is a real thrill to be able to qualify in such a great series,” Stella said.
“We will go down and do the right thing by the dog and probably give him a trial and a race before the semis, for a little more experience.
“He has earned his right to give it a real crack.
“He has always had natural ability and he has really toughened up.
“But to say he would get to where he is in terms of his racing, I could never have expected that.”
The MDC semi-finals will be held at Wentworth Park on October 6, with the $1,000,000 to-the-winner final run a week later.
The MDC race series now moves on with regional finals at Temora on September 18 and Richmond on September 20.
You can read the full Million Dollar Chase series schedule here: 2023 Million Dollar Chase Schedule
2023 Million Dollar Chase Semi Finalists
- Saige Tenniele T: Kody Charles (WA)
- Aussie Rocks T: Geoff Mitchell (VIC)
- Tinker Norm T: Craig Burns (VIC)
- Postman Pat T: Jason Thompson (VIC/NZ)
2023 National Sprint Championship
- Fire Hose T: Dave Geall (VIC)
- Time Chariot T: Glen Summerfield (NSW)
- Taw Commander T: Andrew Rhodes (NSW)
Goulburn Regional MDC Final
- Nora’s Boy T: Shaun Guthrie (NSW)
- Sunshine Lily T: Mitchell Jobson (NSW)
- Weffalee Shield T: Tony Forbes (NSW)
Taree Regional MDC Final
- Umberto T: Jason Thompson (VIC)
- Mortified T: Chris O’Brien (NSW)
- Remember This T: Vic Sultana (NSW)
Group 1 Dapto Megastar
- Nangar Rocket T: Dennis Barnes (NSW)
- Total Glamour T: Leighton Winter (NSW)
- Spring Elegance T: Joshua Board (NSW)
Dubbo Regional MDC Final
- Kruger Lass T: Bronwyn Welsh (VIC)
- Landyn Bale T: Mark Delbridge (VIC)
- Ailee Bale T: Mark Delbridge (VIC)
Broken Hill Regional MDC Final
- Isle’s Entity T: Michelle Sultana (NSW/VIC)
- Twin Turbo T: Susan Smith (NSW)
- Fernando Rocker T: Michelle Sultana (NSW)
Maitland Regional MDC Final
- Al’s Entity T: Michelle Sultana (NSW/VIC)
- Eyes To Eyes T: Neville Brown (NSW)
- Lidsdale Road T: Garry Coles (NSW)
Bulli Regional MDC Final
- Magistrate T: Greg Stella (QLD)
- Magic Secret T: Barbara Beach (NSW)
- Kingsbrae Boo T: Karl Miller (NSW)