Ritza Coen Storms Into Million Dollar Chase Mix

MARK Gatt can start million dollar dreaming after Ritza Coen made it seven straight to win Thursday's NSW Sprint Final at Wentworth Park.

TRAINER Mark Gatt can start ‘million dollar dreaming' after Ritza Coen made it seven straight to win Thursday night's NSW National Sprint Championship Final (520m) at Wentworth Park.

The stylish victory not only earned the son of Collision the title as New South Wales' premier sprinter but also handed the in form chaser a walk up start into the TAB Million Dollar Chase semi-finals at Wentworth Park in October.

"We're now just one win away from a crack at a Million!" Gatt beamed following Thursday night's slashing victory.

"Being honest I've never really seen him as a dog up to winning a real good race but with the way he's going I'll probably have to start changing the way I think of him a bit.

"He lacks that genuine early speed which you need to win the big races but it's a different year this year with everything going on and with some luck and a few decent boxes he could just be in the right place at the right time.

"Anyway, we're only one win away from a go at it now!"

Thursday night's sparkling 29.66 victory was win 14 of Ritza Coen's 30 start career – winning his past seven straight.

Included in that winning streak has been some powerhouse 600 metre performances which Gatt attributes much of his recent success.

"People can get worried that stepping them up in trip can knock the edge off them but with this dog it doesn't matter because he's got no pace anyway," Gatt offered.

"The idea of giving him those 600s was to build his confidence up and it's done the trick. The dog is flying and keeps surprising me.

“When he broke in he went seven tenths slower than Ritza Vonnie. But he's just kept improving – sometimes you get one come through like him that just keeps surprising.”

Finishing 2 ¼ lengths second in Thursday night's sprint decider was Second Exit for Peter Sims while Ebby Jet Power held third another two lengths away for Michael Eberand.

Ritza Coen wasn't the only greyhound to book a Million Dollar Chase semi-final spot on Thursday night with Stinger Noir (QLD), Shadow Mist (SA), Weblec Ace (VIC), Leonard Bale (NZ), Tommy Shelby (WA) and Siberia (TAS) each claiming their state sprint finals to progress also.



 

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