BATHURST'S Kennerson Park will once again host the first of the Million Dollar Chase regional finals following the release of the schedule on Monday.
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The track will play host to qualifying heats on September 2 with the final set to run five days later.
In last year's series punters were treated to a stunning inaugural Bathurst final when Rohan Hill beat far more fancied rivals as a $36 chance.
Trainers and runners will make their way to Bathurst hoping to start their path towards the million dollar final on October 18.
Kennerson Park racing manager Jason Lyne said it's exciting to once again be the centre getting the series underway.
"Us and Gunnedah are running parallel to each other, which is good, and I'm a really big fan of the changes to the series this year with the first four in our regional final going through to the semi-finals. Our final on the Saturday will be worth $6,000 for the winner this year," he said.
"I think the changes add a new dynamic because you won't be seeing those from Melbourne or Queensland going to Wentworth Park looking for an easier qualifier.
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"They will have to travel out to other tracks to get their dogs qualified ... because they can't throw all their eggs into one basket, so to say, and you could be seeing a strategic process to it."
Lyne believes the air of unpredictability, as evidenced by Rohan Hill's win, adds to the excitement factor.
"It could be an up-and-coming dog which no-one has seen yet who might win. I know last year Midnight Starlet, for David Pringle, got through to the final via Dubbo and she was young at the time," he said.
"Anything can happen when you get to these races. Since the announcement I've been talking to trainers who are already looking at where they're going to go and which track will suit their dogs in trying to get through."
Bathurst will be one of 14 regional centres hosting heats and finals, and this year those events will supply 56 of the 64 semi-finalists.
The other eight semi-final places will be decided from eight 'last chance' city qualifiers at Wentworth Park on October 5.