On Monday evening, Portland greyhound trainer Peter Barnes will crack his luck, alongside hundreds of other trainers, at winning $1 million.
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Bathurst’s Kennerson Park will host a regional heat for the Million Dollar Chase, which has become the richest greyhound race in Australia since it was July.
Mr Barnes has nominated his two-year-old black dog My Mate Fox for the heat.
No doubt, he agreed the Million Dollar Chase is a great initiative.
“There’s nothing to compare it with,” he said.
“It can only be a good thing for local trainers, after what we’ve gone through in the past few years.”
In July, 2016, greyhound racing was controversially banned by the then state premier Mike Baird before he then black-flipped on the decision months later.
Mr Barnes is hopeful that the Million Dollar Chase can help heal some of the pain created from the short-lived ban.
“I think the advantage of this race is that young people will take notice and we need young owners and trainers in the game,” he said.
“I’m 55 myself and I’m probably in the younger bracket of trainers. We need new people.
“This’ll help young people form syndicates. They know if they can get three or four mates from the pub together to buy a greyhound and be in a chance to win a million bucks, it becomes pretty attractive.
“It can only be good for the area, for the Bathurst track and greyhounds as a whole.”
Mr Barnes’ My Mate Fox should have a good chance to be in the mix come Monday.
His greyhound has won seven races from 14 starts, including the $40,000 Riches Final at Richmond in May.
“My dog is going pretty well and his trialed very well on Thursday morning. We’ll just see how he goes when the box draw comes out,” he said.
“I really like to draw box one, two or three. I really don’t really want to be on the outside from the 520 start at Bathurst. If I’m drawn there, so be it.
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“Hopefully I can get through to the final next week. If you run first or second in the final, you’re off to the semi-finals at Wentworth Park for the Million Dollar Chase and be the first two dogs qualified for it.
“I’m looking forward to the occasion. He’s the best dog I’ve ever had and hopefully everything goes well.”
On Thursday afternoon, it was announced that My Mate Fox drew box seven.
All greyhounds in Australia are eligible to nominate for the Million Dollar Chase, but participants must commit to re-homing their dogs into the Greyhounds as Pets program or an equivalent program following its racing career.
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