Tiggerlong Tonk wins Million Dollar Chase Regional Final at Wagga

Tiggerlong Tonk ($1.10) justified his short price with a nine and a quarter length romp in the TAB Million Dollar Chase Regional Final (525m) at Wagga on Friday night.

Tiggerlong Tonk pounced straight to the front from box six and it was simply a procession from there as he raced away for the 25^th win of his career.

The runaway victory bettered his eight-length win in the heat a week earlier but was in a slower time of 30.85 seconds in wet conditions.

The win completed a short but sweet stay back with Finn for Tiggerlong Tonk, who will now head back to Victorian trainer Correy Grenfell. The pair will sit down to work out a plan of attack for the remainder of the series.

Finn was relieved to get the job done with his star dog.

"Yeah it was. It was good. He went super," Finn said.

"It was real good. He done everything right and got to the lead, it's just a shame that we had that wind and the rain but I think his class got him through."

The Million Dollar Chase semi-finals will be held at Wentworth Park on Friday week, October 9.

The winner of the eight semi-finals all progress to the final the following week, October 16.

As well as Tiggerlong Tonk, second and third placegetters Sell More Houses and With Confidence also booked their place in the semi-finals.

Sell More Houses ran second for Cowra trainer Rodney McDonald, while the Shannon Ellis-owned With Confidence qualified by finishing third.

Finn was glad to be able to bring Tiggerlong Tonk home to Wagga for the series.

"He's had his holiday down here and done what he was supposed to do so we'll go from there," he said.

"I'm glad I brought him back here. Maybe we'll be able to bring him back for the Cup."

Tiggerlong Tonk has earned $264,000 in his 49-start career and is a multiple group one placegetter.

Wagga and District Greyhound Racing Club racing manager John Patton was thrilled to be able to showcase such a quality performer like Tiggerlong Tonk at the track.

"We're pretty happy to have Tiggerlong Tonk here," Patton said.

"I'd say he's probably one of the best five dogs in Australia. It's a thrill to have a dog like that here for the regional final and hopefully he can go on."

Meantime, the Gregg Mills-trained Lilac Izmir ($5.00) won the Ladbrokes Monthly Medal Final (320m) on Friday, upsetting $2.10 favourite Gotta Bounce.

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