In Brief
- Tasmanian-bred sprinter claims the world's richest greyhound race.
- Lagogiane credits breeder Pat Ryan for the making of Handsome Prince.
- Pat Ryan continues a strong 24 year association with a winning bloodline.
Former Tasmanian-bred sprinter Handsome Prince defeated a phenomenal line-up and stamped himself as the hottest chaser in New South Wales with an all the way victory in the GRNSW Million Dollar Chase Grand Final over 520 metres at Wentworth Park in Sydney on Friday night.
Trained at Llandilo by Peter Lagogiane, Handsome Prince ($21) speared out wide from box seven, crossing over in taking the lead from $2.70 favourite Tommy Shelby in a drive towards the first turn.
Despite the efforts of Xerri and Tommy Shelby running on, the brindle chaser proved too strong at the finish, kicking clear to score by almost two lengths and collect the bold winner’s check of $1,000,000.
The son of Sh Avatar and See Blue’s Girl notched up his ninth career win from 20 starts.
Handsome Prince remains undefeated at Wentworth Park winning three from three over the track and distance at the Harbour City venue while also running out the 520-metre journey in a slick 29.72sec.
In just over a month trainer Peter Lagogiane prepared his second winner of the world’s richest greyhound race. Speaking to the media after the race it was simply a case of de ja vu for Lagagiane, having taken out the inaugural event in 2018 with Mystic Riot – he credits Dilston-based Pat Ryan for his efforts.
“What a little marvel Handsome Prince has turned out to be, and I must thank Pat (previous trainer). I knew if he found the fence, he would excel this dog, he jumped and pushed up hard,” Lagogiane said.
“When he drew box seven, Shakeel (Latimer) the owner, said don’t worry, we will still win it, and he had faith in us and the dog and so did my wife Jodie (Lagogiane).
“She said all week, stop worrying, stop stressing, let it be. And I thought she’s right, whatever it is, it’s forever etched in stone now.”
For Dilston-based breeder Pat Ryan, a six-year dream has now become a reality in seeing big results.
Ryan a former Townsville-based greyhound trainer uplifted his roots along with his wife Vikki and son Brennan, moving to Tasmania in the hope of setting up a breeding and racing establishment.
Six years on now Pat has started to achieve his dream in breeding and rearing his own local progeny.
The Million Dollar Chase carnival ended on a high with several big stakes’ races conducted and won.
Victoria reigned supreme in winning the Group 3 Sydney Cup over 720 metres with Here’s Tears.
Marvel campaigner Sunburnt Highway for trainer Judy Richardson pulled out all stops in winning the $100,000 Masters Meteor with the Young Star Classic Final and Million Dollar Chase Maiden Final going the way of Rapallo (Jodie Lord) and Zipping Moose (Luke Adams) in respective fashion.
Photo courtesy of GRNSW.