Victorian owned and trained dog McInerney has become the first interstate winner of the world’s richest greyhound race, the TAB Million Dollar Chase with a brilliant victory at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
In the four previous editions of the event, the grand final has been won by NSW-trained greyhounds, but that domination came to a halt on Saturday night when McInerney surged to the lead on the home turn and then held off a late charge from local star Zipping Kyrgios to score by a head in 29.50s, with the early leader He’s On Fire holding on for a gallant third.
McInerney had been previously trained in Tasmania by Brendan Pursell’s son Blake, and knowing that the dog jumped his best when he was boxed and handled by Blake, Brendan insisted his son fly up for the event.
“I can’t explain how it feels. I can’t stop shaking to be honest but it’s unreal,” Brendan said. “Blake had the dog in Tassie and has done a good job over there, and I said to him, you have got to fly over and handle him, and to be able to pull this off with Blake is just great.
“To be able to win it for a guy like Noel (Mugavin the owner) is fantastic. I can’t say how much he’s really helped me in so many words. He’s a great owner who has always supplied me with dogs, always has babies coming through that he likes and he will say to me “this one goes all right”, and all his dogs are usually city (class) dogs. He’s just one of the million.”
Twenty-seven-year-old Blake admitted to being almost lost for words moments after the race.
“This is just unbelievable,” he said. “He’s just a super dog and dad’s done a brilliant job and to his owner and breeder Noel, he’s just bred a phenomenal dog, he’s just so tough.
“I’m lost for words which is unusual for me. Zipping Kyrgios was coming home and those last few strides I just closed my eyes and it’s worked out perfectly.
“To do this with dad is just a great honour. There’s nothing more special. It’s the world’s richest race and … I don’t know what to say. My partner Kayla and I flew over from Tassie to lead and catch the dog and I can’t wait to give the dog a cuddle.”
Mugavin whose family has raced relatives of McInerney over five decades, was, like Blake, was struggling to find words after his dog’s victory.
“I can’t believe it really, I’m just lost for words, and it’s so special to be able to have this night up here with my son Jeremy,” he said. “Much thanks goes to Brendon Pursell and his son Blake for the wonderful job that they’ve done with the dog. I’m ecstatic.
“I’m finding it hard to find the words that’s for sure. It’s special when you breed them as well. When you’re breeding yourself and you’re rearing them and breaking them in and then putting them through their paces, you’re wondering what they’re going to turn out like.
“I’d like to just make mention of Tony McInerney, who this dog was named after. Tony was one of the most wonderful people I’ve come across in life, and I’ve always said if I got a dog that goes okay, I’d name it after him, and this dog’s kennel name is Tony and his racing name McInerney. Tony died a couple of years ago during COVID and I’m sure he’s looking down tonight and I know his son and grandchildren would be delighted with this tonight.”
The win was McInerney’s 22nd of his 53-start career and his prizemoney now soars to $1,108,895.
