Mackay's Million Dollar Quest Gets Underway

JASON Mackay begins his quest for this year’s TAB Million Dollar Chase when he rolls out three of his star-studded kennel at Maitland this Thursday.

JASON Mackay begins his quest for this year's TAB Million Dollar Chase when he rolls out three of his star-studded kennel at Maitland this Thursday.

Remarkably tasting victory with 13 of his past 15 runners, including four from four at Maitland last Thursday, Mackay heads into this week's Million Dollar Chase heats with an embarrassment of riches, headlined by the return of Group 1 Golden Easter Egg winner Zipping Bailey.

The superstar daughter of Barcia Bale is joined by kennelmate Flying Bazza in the opening qualifier, while heat two sees Mackay unveil Victorian powerhouse Flynn for the first time under his care.

"I'm starting to get Flynn where I want him – he'll be okay Thursday but even better for another week if he can qualify for the final," said Mackay of the eight race winning son of Kinloch Brae, victorious in May's Speed Star at Sandown in a flying 29.08.

"There's no secret he's had some issues we've had to overcome and we are getting there. He trialled around the 25.20 mark at Maitland last week and I'm sure there's more in the tank. For now it's really just about qualifying him, he's getting back to where he was. Slowly."

In an action packed second qualifier, Flynn, drawn in box five, is opposed by reigning Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup winner Black Forge (box one), as well as Ron Marsden's recent Healesville Cup finalist Cee Jay's Boy (box two).

Heat one of Thursday's Maitland Million Dollar Chase looms as an absolute belter with an "underdone" Zipping Bailey making her much anticipated racetrack return, tackling her prodigiously talented kennelmate Flying Bazza.

"She's (Zipping Bailey) underdone and Maitland's not really her track – she's working back nice but she's still a few weeks away from her peak," said Mackay.

"With Bailey it's just about getting there semi-final night for now. She loves Wenty and in a few weeks' she'll be back hard fit – she's lacking match fitness now.

"I couldn't be happier with (Flying) Bazza – he's responded great from his fibula injury. He went 25 blonk in a three-dog trial at Maitland last week after having his head chopped off at the start. He got to the line great.

"I'm definitely leaning his way of my two on Thursday – he's got a motor this bloke."

As well as playing a leading hand in Thursday's Million Dollar Chase heats, Mackay also lines up key chances on a strong support program, including Zipping Houdini (race 3), Aston Sapporo (race 4), Turbo Thomas (race seven) and Whiskey Jack (race eight).

“They're all good chances but Turbo Thomas looks to have a gun draw in race seven – he should zip around them off the pink,” offered Mackay.

Meanwhile, Mackay will line-up Group 2 Black Top winner Aston Duke and recent kennel acquisition Get It Gizmo in Saturday's Ladbrokes Gardens Million Dollar Chase heats.

"They're both spot on – Get It Gizmo's only been here a few weeks but he's showing me a lot. I expect him to run some time Saturday."

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