Budding Superstar Primed For MDC Assault

FLYING Ricciardo, the budding superstar of Australian greyhound racing, begins his TAB Million Dollar Chase campaign at Bathurst this Monday afternoon.

FLYING Ricciardo, the budding superstar of Australian greyhound racing, begins his TAB Million Dollar Chase campaign at Bathurst this Monday afternoon.

And after setting the track alight in a trial at the central west venue last Tuesday, trainer Kristy Sultana is confident her prodigious talent is spot on to make a run at the world's richest greyhound race.

"He trialled fantastic, 29.60 odd, so we are all systems go," Sultana said. "I keep pinching myself that I've come by a greyhound of his talent.

"What he's managed to accomplish so far is just remarkable and he's not two years old until December.

"You can't help but think he's only going to get better, which is a bit scary actually."

Purchased by Sultana for $7500 at last year's inaugural Gold Muzzle Auction, Flying Ricciardo has faced the starter on 12 occasions for 10 breathtaking victories and two seconds for $67,000 in prizemoney.

At his most recent appearance he disposed of open grade opposition to salute in the Group 2 Black Top (515m) at The Gardens, a performance that belied his tender age and relative inexperience.

"It was a big ask but like everything he's done so far he just took it in his stride – he really is the complete package," Sultana said.

"I'm trying to not get carried away with it all and just take it one race at a time. Just to have a dog being talked about in a race like the Million Dollar Chase is surreal."

Such has been Flying Ricciardo's profound ascension through the ranks, TAB.com.au has installed him at $14 to take out the $1 million to-the-winner final at Wentworth Park on October 16.

Holding pre-post favouritism at $8 is Victorian megastar Simon Told Helen, the four-time Group 1 winner beginning his Million Dollar Chase quest at Temora on Sunday.

"It's a feather in his cap to be considered so highly but being realistic he's still only a baby," Sultana said.

"He's giving away a lot of age and experience but it's all a learning curve for him.

"Usually you wouldn't even consider a race like this with a dog so young and inexperienced. But he's earned his shot."

Interestingly, Flying Ricciardo's assault on Monday's Bathurst qualifiers is the same path 2019 winner Good Odds Harada embarked on to his $1 million payday for Frank and Tracey Hurst.

And after drawing box one in the second of two heats, Flying Ricciardo will start rock bottom odds in an absorbing clash with reigning Bathurst Cup winner Nangar Diva, a slashing 29.65 seconds Wentworth Park winner last Wednesday night.

The kick off to the TAB Million Dollar Chase continues what's been a significant few months for NSW greyhound racing.

In early August, Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) announced the acquisition of a Hunter Valley ‘farm-stay' property which will transition into a "world first facility" to care for retired greyhounds.

That announcement was followed by news that the industry is set for a $1.4 million prizemoney boost, following on from last year's $3.2 million injection.

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