Emma Pritchard

Cash Master obliterated his opponents in the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase Regional Final over 450m at the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club on September 24 to secure his place in the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase Semi Finals at Sydney’s Wentworth Park next month, keeping the dreams of popular trainer Robert Cooke and owner Patrick Gainey alive as they head towards the $1 million Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase Final on October 13 with their champion greyhound.

Backing up a sizzling performance in the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase Regional Heats the previous week, Cash Master started the short-priced favourite and began brilliantly from box 3, assuming control of the race inside the opening 50m before powering home to stop the clock just outside the track record at 25.06 seconds.

It was Cash Master’s 18th career victory and his 12th on the track as he took his earnings over $150000.

There was plenty of cheering trackside when local hope Albert’s Memory, named in honour of Daryl “Albert” Gleeson, a well-known and widely admired member of the Grafton sporting community who sadly passed away in 2021, charged home to run second after a poor start. 30/1 shot Villante finished third.

Second favourite Jay Is Jay began only fairly from box 1 and rallied late to finish fourth after being shuffled towards the rear of the field of seven during the early stages.

During the presentation following the race, Grafton Greyhound Racing Club President John Corrigan congratulated the first three placegetters on qualifying for the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase Semi Finals, while Head of Operations for Ladbrokes and former Grafton resident Brad Smyth said he would love to see a greyhound from the region win the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase Final.

The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club will host their next race meeting on September 30.