Mystic Runs Riot In Million Dollar Decider

THE inaugural GRNSW+Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase has headed to the Llandilo kennels of Jodie and Peter Lagogiane following Mystic Riot's brilliant victory in the $1 million to-the-winner feature at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

Whilst wild weather wreaked havoc with the landmark meeting getting underway, the rain didn't deter a strong crowd from turning out in their droves to witness the world's richest ever greyhound event, the series getting underway 47 days earlier with the first of the regional qualifiers at Bathurst.

For trainer Peter Lagogiane, whose stocks continue to rise in the NSW training ranks, having spent time training abroad in Dubai also learning his craft, Saturday night's life-changing victory was just reward for years of hard work and perseverance.

In March this year, Lagogiane landed the $150,000 to-the-winner Launching Pad Final at Sandown Park with his rising star Beast Unleashed, at the time by far the biggest payday of his training career, a cheque that was well and truly surpassed at the weekend.

To show the twists and turns that greyhound racing can sometimes dish up, it was only September 29 that Mystic Riot gained a start in a lowly fifth grade 5 at Wentworth Park as second reserve, making full use of the late call-up into the field to score by three-quarters of a length in 29.88.

From there the daughter of Barcia Bale and Ready To Riot has made every post a winner, winning another three on the bounce at headquarters, beginning with her Million Dollar Chase qualifier, then semi-final before ultimately Saturday night's grand final and the $1 million purse that comes with it.

Ideally drawn for the final in box seven, Mystic Riot rolled out exceptional sectionals before staving off a gallant Jamella Jet for trainer Adam Crouch to score by three-quarters of a length in 29.67.

Cementing a Western Sydney-trained trifecta, Sky Wave finished third for Vic Sultana, another 2 ½ lengths away.

On a sensational night of racing, the time-honoured Sydney Cup was a one-two finish for master trainer John Finn, with Poco Dorado outlasting litter-sister Veloce Nero by 1 ¾ lengths in a flying 41.68.

The inaugural Ladbrokes Masters Meteor went to Len and Evelyn Harris' grand chaser Cosmic Bonus, scooping the $100,000 first prize with a 29.63 success over runner-up Springcreek Bill.

The Ladbrokes Young Star Final was an all-the-way win to Federal Lilly, the daughter of Dyna Double One setting up victory with a flying 5.39 first split before scoring overall in 29.83.

Rounding out the features on the night was the victory by the Jason Mackay-trained True Talent in the Million Dollar Chase consolation, claiming the $25,000 first prize in a slick 29.73 after gaining a start as a reserve following the scratching of Benali.