Victorian super sprinter Shima Shine is setting his sights on a second tilt at the world’s richest greyhound race – the TAB Million Dollar Chase.
And ‘Team Dailly’ is hoping he ultimately goes one rung higher on the presentation dais than last year.
Shima Shine (Nov ’17 Barcia Bale x Shima Song) will contest an MDC regional heat (472m) at Bulli tonight – Race 7 Box 6 at 9.03pm.
He’ll follow a similar pattern as last year when he finished third in his MDC heat prior to winning a regional final (both at Bulli). He then won a semi-final before earning $100,000 for second place, as a $4.00 favourite, to Good Odds Harada in the MDC final – both at Wentworth Park (520m).
‘Team Dailly’ spokesperson George Dailly says Shima Shine is obviously a more seasoned speedster than nearly 12 months ago.
“He’s going as well as ever and he’s much more experienced, having since contested two Group 1 finals… We’re just hoping he can make it through to his second Million Dollar Chase final.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Shima Shine was transferred to NSW caretaker trainer Ross Davidson for his MDC campaign. Davidson part-owns the ‘Team Dailly’ trained Sunset Bourbski.
“Tom (George’s twin brother) organised all the paperwork etc, but I’m not exactly sure how he got him up there… Ross has only had him for 24 hours, but he’ll probably put five lengths on him,” Dailly quipped.
A dual G1 finalist (Topgun & Silver Chief), Shima Shine has started 33 times for 20 wins, three seconds and three thirds. He also finished third in the G2 Bendigo Cup and his stakes currently total $204,173.
Shima Shine, who has won eight of his last 12 starts, also holds two track records – Ballarat 450m – 24.75sec and Bendigo 425m – 23.35sec.
Incidentally, NSW champ Good Odds Harada also starts his campaign for back-to-back MDC final wins at Bulli tonight – Race 6 Box 5 at 8.43pm.
The first four home in both MDC regional heats tonight will qualify for a quarter-final (one of 15 to be staged at regional venues) on September 22.
From there, the first three placegetters from each of the regional finals – 45 greyhounds in total – will advance to the semi-finals to be held at Wentworth Park on October 9. The eight semi-finals winners will then compete for a $1 million winner’s purse at Wentworth Park on October 16.
