He’s On Fire scorches into the MDC Final
South Australian local Tim Richards had a massive day on Friday, training two of his own winners at Murray Bridge, before his kennel star He’s On Fire won his way through to the Million Dollar Chase final at Wentworth Park. The lucrative series is in its fourth edition and He’s On Fire will be just the second South Australian to make the final, with Shadow Mist being the other who won his way through two years ago. He’s On Fire had a mammoth task to deal with on Friday, being drawn against She’s A Pearl who took out the last Million Dollar Chase, just a few months ago. Coming out from box three, He’s On Fire began like a rocket and quickly found a big lead. The excitement would have been building for Tim when He’s On Fire was a mile in front down the back, with the black dog able to get to the line and stop the clock in 29.73, winning by a couple of lengths and cementing his place in the final of the richest race in the country. Tim was understandably quite thrilled with it.
“It’s a great achievement. It’s great, whatever happens will happen but I didn’t think we would get this far. The plan that Allan set down worked to a tee and we’re in the final.” Said Tim Richards
He’s On Fire is currently being trained by Allan Manwaring in Sydney, with Tim and Allan striking the connection through a mutual friend in Kevin Murnane. Tim was all praise for Allan and his team and the job they are doing with He’s On Fire.
“Briefly (in regards to talking to Allan post race), we’re all pretty excited, up on cloud nine. I will talk to him today or tomorrow. They’re nice people, easy to work with, I don’t have to tell them to do anything, they’ve been in the game 30 years.”
Tim was obviously happy with the run, pointing out the improvement that He’s On Fire has made from his first up effort there last week.
“Better than the run on Saturday, obviously! He was going to have to improve 3 lengths to win that race and he did it. The problem from the week before was that he had only been doing box to boxes at Wentworth Park, so he pulled up at the boxes last week. I don’t think he would have won the race but he would have been on She’s A Pearl’s hammer. I was confident he would improve and he did.”
The final next week is red hot and Tim concedes that He’s On Fire will need to improve again, however with his early speed he is a real chance.
“He’s got to improve 5 lengths, but if he’s out in front of those other dogs by 2 lengths and there's some trouble behind him, he probably won’t be strong enough to hold them out but he’ll give them the fright of their life!”
Whilst Tim juggles a busy life himself managing a fishing business as well as 30 dogs at home, he is hoping to get over and watch He’s On Fire. At the end of the day, it is races like this that all greyhound trainers dream of!
“I think so (in regards to getting over there for the race), but I'm still not 100% sure.
Goodluck to Tim and He’s On Fire next Saturday night, it’s a huge achievement just to make the race and it would fantastic to see a South Australian take it out!