Husband and wife training team Peter and Jodie Lagogiane are the toast of the industry after their greyhound Mystic Riot led throughout to win the inaugural GRNSW + Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
The win in the world’s richest greyhound race, saw the Lagogianes and owner Sandra Camden-Bermingham collect an unprecedented prize for the sport, of $1 million.
Mystic Riot led a clean sweep for NSW trained greyhounds, with Jamella Jet second and Sky Wave third, the winner clocking 29.67s, on a track which had been pelted by a serious storm just before the scheduled start of the meeting, forcing a delay to racing of 45 minutes.
“This is what dreams are made of,” Peter said. “Since I was a young kid, 14 years of age, when I got my first greyhound, I dreamt of being a premier trainer, I dreamt of being a professional trainer, I said to (leading Victorian trainer) Jason Thompson I wanted to be like him.
“This not only puts us on the map as greyhound trainers, we can finally say we’re greyhound trainers not greyhound enthusiasts anymore.”
Mystic Riot did what was expected and flew out of the boxes to lead but when the chasers jammed at the first turn, Sky Wave and the strong Jamella Jet ran into second and third. When Jamella Jet moved into second and started stalking the leader on the turn out of the back, many, including Peter, thought they were in trouble.
“Everybody else was in front of me (as he stood behind the starting boxes) and I couldn’t see, and I said who is in front and someone said: “You are Peter.” And then I saw Jamella Jet behind us. I spoke to Adam Crouch (Jamella Jet’s trainer) on Friday and he told some of the times his dog has been trialling. When I saw him behind us, I thought we’re gone … but gee she dug in this bitch, and really put in.
“This is just unbelievable. An unbelievable feeling. I never thought I’d feel like this.
“I’m so thankful for everybody that has been involved, my wife Jodie, and the kids, and all my workers, all my owners. This is just amazing.”
Peter revealed that as he was about to climb into his car, and head to Wentworth Park, he went across to his wife Jodie, who was also bound for the Glebe circuit in her car, with their kids, and gave her a kiss.
“It was just a little thing,” Peter explained. “I kissed her on the lips and said let’s go become millionaires babe.”
A little after 9.30pm, Peter and Jodie kissed again, this time a lot richer than their previous kiss.
