Greyhound Racing NSW chief executive officer Tony Mestrov has thrown his support behind the western area, stating he'd love nothing more than to see Dubbo produce a winner of the Million Dollar Chase.
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Mestrov was in Dubbo on Thursday to help promote the upcoming Million Dollar Chase series at Dawson Park and announce country music star Adam Harvey will perform at the regional final at the track on September 21.
Dubbo's Dawson Park is one of the 14 centres to host meetings in the build-up to the word's richest greyhound race, the $1 million-to-the-winner final at Wentworth Park on October 18.
Mestrov is of the belief not enough people in the region are aware of the strength of greyhound racing in the Dubbo area, and he hopes this year's star-studded Chase can change that.
"We want to bring attention to the event and bring a new person to the night," Mestrov said.
"It's not only economic benefits with people coming here and racing their dogs but also you get local people who haven't been before.
"Part of making this industry sustainable is getting people to the track."
Mestrov went on to praise the work done by Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club president Shayne Stiff, as well as local council and government.
Mayor Ben Shields was also on hand at Thursday's regional launch, hailing the city's ability to host major events while also praising the energy and enthusiasm within the Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club.
"I wish all the local trainers and owners the very best of luck," Mestrov added ahead of the heats.
"There'd be nothing better to see than a million dollar winner from this area. It would be phenomenal."
The western area has already been on show during the early heats of this year's Million Dollar Chase.
Forbes trainer Raymond Smith has again been putting his name up in lights with cult hero Feral Franky proving a huge hit again when winning at Gunnedah while kennelmate Solar Sky took out a heat at Bathurst on Monday night.
Group 1 winner Feral Franky has developed a legion of fans early in his career, with his come-from-behind style proving hugely popular.
"You saw Feral Franky has captured the hearts of NSW and we need the heroes in this industry to take it forward, much like a Winx was in horse racing," Mestrov added.
Smith took out last year's inaugural Dubbo heat with Little Digger but missed out in the regional final at the track, that event being won by David Pringle's Midnight Starlet.
Midnight Starlet went on to be just one of two dogs in the $1 million feature which qualified via a regional heat.
This year's regional final is the same day the A-League trial match between the Newcastle Jets and Dubbo FC is played at Apex Oval and Mestrov and Stiff both stated they hoped fans would make their way from the football to a night at the track, where Harvey
A total of 14 regional centres will host heats and finals, and this year those events will supply 56 of the 64 semi-finalists.
The other eight semi-final places will be decided from eight 'last chance' city qualifiers at Wentworth Park on October 5.
Eight of those semi-finalists then advance to the rich final on October 21.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
