Mackenna claims quickest Million Dollar Chase win at Temora
Victorian-trained greyhound Mackenna proved her class as a rising star, taking out the second of two heats of the Million Dollar Chase (MDC) regional series at Temora on Monday afternoon.
Trained at Bagshot by Michelle Carruthers, Mackenna lined up in the 457m heat as a +180 second favourite with greyhound betting sites and rewarded backers with a winning display.
At box rise, +320 third-elect Baby Jaycee got out to the lead early before Mackenna took control of the race, and went on to win by 6 lengths in 25.53.
Baby Jaycee held on for second, while +160 favourite, Mr. Yellowstone finished third.
Temora MDC Regional Heat 2 – Mackenna (25.53) T: Michelle Carruthers
It was the first look at the Temora greyhound track for Mackenna; having raced at Shepparton, Horsham, and The Meadows over her nine career starts.
Trainer Michelle Carruthers said she was impressed with the performance.
“I thought it was a great win,” she said.
“Box 1 was certainly an advantage.
“We have drawn box 5 for the final, so she will need to begin well next week.”
Mackenna began her career on July 5, with a 5.75 length win over the 525m at The Meadows in a maiden heat, before backing up ten days later and winning the maiden final.
A further four straight wins followed, which included another two heat and finals series wins at The Meadows and Horsham; to have the daughter Whiskey Riot x Alcyone unbeaten after her first six starts.
A close second to ‘Country Cups Queen' Kelsey Bale followed at Shepparton, before an unlucky fourth at the same track.
Mackenna comes from a hot litter that includes talented youngsters Imani, Keisha, and Zadie who are trained jointly by Michelle Carruthers and Lee Moore.
Although only training a small team, trainers Lee Moore and Michelle Carruthers are no strangers to greyhound racing success, having trained Orlando to a Group 1 Australian Cup final in 2022 at The Meadows.
Mackenna has now had nine starts for seven wins and a second, banking $33,665 for connections.
Heidi McGraw pulled off a remarkable recovery in the run to take out the first Million Dollar Chase heat in 25.59.
The Dennis Barnes-trained chaser started as a +400 second favourite with greyhound betting apps, behind hot favourite Nangar Larry who was -181.82.
Jumping from box four, Peter Taro took the early lead before Heidi McGraw stormed over the top of the leader on the final bend.
She beat home Nangar Larry by 1.75 lengths, with Peter Taro fading for third.
Temora MDC Regional Heat 1 – Heidi McGraw (25.59) T: Dennis Barnes
Having kicked off her career on July 2, Heidi McGraw saluted on debut, beating home Kenzie Baskin by 3.5 lengths over the Grafton 450m in a maiden heat.
She returned on July 12, taking out the maiden final, beating Kenzie Baskin again by 0.25 lengths.
The Aston Dee Bee x Nangar Silk bitch has now recorded five wins and two placings from eight starts, earning $30,850 in prizemoney.
The top four from each heat now qualify for the Temora MDC regional final at Temora on September 18.
On the road to the Million Dollar Chase, sixteen regional venues across NSW will host qualifying events in the world's richest greyhound series.
The series began with heats at Taree on August 30 and will culminate with the $1 million-to-the-winner final at Wentworth Park on October 13.
In ‘all in' markets for the 2023 MDC Final with greyhound bookmakers, Postman Pat is currently the +500 favourite as the only runner paying single-digit odds, then out to Kelsey Bale and Mortified at +1100 odds.