Solar Power! Wonder Mum Sets MDC Tone

SUPERSTAR sprinter Feral Franky secured his TAB Million Dollar Chase semi-final spot with a track record breaking performance in front of a packed crowd at Gunnedah on Sunday night.

On paper the son of Collision and Solar Pak looked to have the race safely in his keeping before the boxes had even opened, but a box six draw – and the uncertainty of racing – meant the group 1 winning $1.18 favourite couldn't put a foot wrong.

And he didn't.

Handling himself with aplomb from a tricky box six in the early stages, ‘The Feral' ignited the afterburners down the back to runaway and score by 8 ¾ lengths over Charlie Casey, posting a sizzling new track record time of 29.62 in the process.

Joining Feral Franky in filling the first four positions were Charlie Casey, Squiggle Keeping and China O'Brien, the quartet booking a spot in the Million Dollar Chase semi-finals on October 11.

Trainer Ray Smith now ventures to Sandown Park this Sunday with Feral Franky for the Speed Star with the comfort his gun chaser is already locked in for the MDC Chase semi-finals and just one race away from a shot at the $1 million to-the-winner grand finale.

Just 24 hours prior to Feral Franky's mesmerising Gunnedah success, his litter-brother Good Odds Harada was a breathtaking winner of the Bathurst finale for trainer Frank Hurst, the Group 1 National Sprint runner-up beginning brilliantly to score by 5 ¼ lengths in 29.43.

Joining Good Odds Harada in securing Million Dollar Chase semi-final spots at Bathurst were Double Up Dee, Solar Sky and Wolf Bear – Solar Sky a litter-sister to the two series' winners thus far.

For dam Solar Pak – a daughter of Mogambo and marvelous producer Tifi – her deeds as a brood seemingly know no bounds for proud owner Barry Ward.

"She's just amazing – there's a real buzz around with the Million Dollar race and greyhound racing in general and for her pups to be a huge part of that is just fantastic – very proud," Ward said.

"I get a huge thrill in seeing her pups achieve what they're achieving. What a dog Feral Franky is … the two of them love Wenty so let's hope they are there final night."

Solar Pak's two litters to race (Fernando Bale & Collision) have so far amassed over 200 wins and $1.1 million in prize money with a winning strike rate of 27%, incredible given the depth of quality her progeny have raced.

And as for future breeding plans with Solar Pak?

"She's due on in January and we've got a few options," Ward stated.

"Do we stick to what's worked or look elsewhere? We've had a few decent offers in terms of deals to look at so we'll sit down soon and weigh up all the positives and negatives and make a decision from there. One we are looking at though is Kinloch Brae."

Such is Solar Pak's influence – a couple of her hugely talented daughters from her Fernando Bale litter, namely Zagati and Nino De Oro, have already frequented the breeding barn.

Zagati has a litter of six pups to sire of the moment Barcia Bale, while Nino De Oro has been served by Collision.