The world's richest greyhound event featuring one of the sport's biggest names – She's A Pearl – has the potential to create two instant millionaires on Saturday night.
The TAB Million Dollar Chase Grand Final will be contested by eight, star greyhounds at 9.50pm at Wentworth Park, with connections of the winner collecting a $1 million first prize.
She's A Pearl, chasing her 12th win in succession, is the hot favourite for the race after running one of the fastest times in history at Wentworth Park in last week's semi-finals.
There has been unprecedented interest in the event and a big crowd is expected on track, where one lucky patron in attendance will be drawn for the chance to win $1 million in what has been called the world's biggest lucky door prize.
"We know that someone will be made an instant millionaire tomorrow night by winning the TAB Million Dollar Chase final, but the chance that there could be two is just adding to the buzz around the event," Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Chief Executive Officer Tony Mestrov said.
"We have had a tremendous build-up to the event this week, and I'm confident that can translate into a great crowd coming along on the night.
"We know that an audience of hundreds of thousands will tune in via remote locations in all parts of Australia - and beyond - but like any big event, it's never as good as being there and we're encouraging everyone to get out to Wentworth Park on Saturday for a number of reasons.
"Firstly, you will see a magnificent night of racing with the best greyhounds in the country competing.
"Come along and see a superstar. It's a been a while - probably back to the champion dog Fernando Bale in 2015 - since we have had a greyhound who can attract a crowd, but we have one now in She's A Pearl, the favourite for the TAB Million Dollar Chase. She has that aura about her. She is sheer brilliance and will be chasing her 12th win in succession ... some say she is greyhound racing's answer to Winx.
"Another big reason to be on track is that you could win $1 million for an outlay of $20 admission – and the money from your entry ticket is going to our Greyhounds As Pets program."
She's A Pearl - one of three runners in the grand final trained by leading NSW trainer Jodie Lord - is an odds-on favourite to join Mystic Riot (2018), Good Odds Harada (2019) and Handsome Prince (2020) as winners of the Million Dollar Chase. The race was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 but postponed to April-May 2022. Another Million Dollar Chase will be held in September this year.
The Minister Responsible for Racing, the Hon. Kevin Anderson, offered his congratulations to the connections of the eight finalists, and wished them each luck in their pursuit of the biggest prize in greyhound racing.
"Greyhound racing is a significant employer and contributes to the NSW economy which is why the NSW Government continues to stand behind the industry," Mr Anderson said.
"It is fantastic to see the work that GRNSW has done in putting this event together, with regional heats taking place over the last few months, bringing people into town who spend money locally.
"Congratulations to everyone who has made it to the last stage of the event and good luck to the owners, trainers and connections taking part this weekend."
Heats and finals were conducted around 14 regional venues in NSW before the series headed to Wentworth Park for City qualifiers then last week's semi-finals.
Of the eight finalists, She's A Pearl received an invitation to the semis by virtue of her win in the Golden Easter Egg, Good Odds Cash gained her semi-final berth after winning the NSW Sprint Championship, four greyhounds came through the city qualifiers, while Ritza Donna qualified out of the Dapto series, and Irinka Riley won through to the semis from the Bathurst regional final.
Remarkably Bathurst has provided a finalist in each of the four editions of the Million Dollar Chase including the grand final winner in 2019, Good Odds Harada.
"Saturday night is the culmination of a series that celebrates an entire industry: our much-loved greyhounds, young and old; our tireless and dedicated participants; our volunteers and employees; and the many regions they call home across NSW, where all hopes are equal when the TAB Million Dollar Chase dreams begin," Mr Mestrov said.
"Congratulations to the connections of each of the finalists, and the best of luck for the grand final. All that awaits now is to see who will become greyhound racing's latest millionaire."
