First-time trainer Michelle Carruthers’ Million Dollar Chase dream is very much alive as boom youngster Mackenna’s perfect path to Friday night’s semi-finals at Wentworth Park continues.

Mackenna, brilliant winner of eight of her 10 starts, upset superstar Baby Jaycee in the MDC heats at Temora, won the regional final in near-record time, and then trialled in an airborne 29.32sec at Wentworth Park last week.

To cap off an ideal preparation, Mackenna drew box one for the first of Friday’s ‘must win’ semis (race 3, 7.52pm), where the December ’21 daughter of Whiskey Riot and Alcyone dominates Sportsbet’s market at $1.60.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better lead-in or a better box draw,” Carruthers said.

“It’s very exciting. We’ve got our fingers crossed she can begin and keep out of trouble.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better lead-in or a better box draw.”

“It’s very cut-throat – it’s do or die – and there’s 63 other very good dogs that have all earned their spot. But we’re happy with what we’ve got!”

After Mackenna’s scintillating first look Wentworth Park trial, the prodigy was sensationally backed to win the Million Dollar Chase, and she now shares ‘All In’ favouritism with fellow Vic Postman Pat at $6.

Mackenna is unbeaten in two starts from box one.

She romped to a stunning 17.5L victory on debut at The Meadows, posting 30.05sec, and trounced G1 winner Baby Jaycee by six lengths in her MDC heat at Temora, clocking a sizzling 25.53sec, only two lengths outside She’s A Pearl’s 457m record.

Mackenna then led all-the-way from box five in the Temora final in 25.41sec, just .03sec outside the course benchmark.

Mackenna won the MDC Temora Regional Final in a near-record 25.41sec.

“When Lee (Moore) headed off to trial her, I was thinking that if she could run in the 29.80s I’d be happy with that for her first look at the track,” Carruthers said.

“When I heard 29.32sec, I thought that was sensational.

“When what she’d trialled got out she came in from $26 to $7 or $8.

“Obviously, she handled the track really well. If she could improve on her trial we’d be over the moon, but it’s different in a race.

“She’s been beginning really well. She started well both runs at Temora, she had box one in the heat there and then she jumped beautifully from five in the final when she was very close to breaking the record.

“Hopefully, she can do it for a couple more starts!”

Mackenna was a runaway 17.5L winner on debut at The Meadows 📷 Jason McKeown

Carruthers, who’s held a training license for just two years, has enjoyed a fairytale introduction, with Mackenna and sister Zadie, which won the Listed Bendigo Roses at her third start, her first two greyhounds.

Partner Lee Moore prepares another two talented littermates in Imani (5 from 9) and Keisha (5 from 13).

While Michelle is very well aware the life-changing purse at the end of the MDC rainbow is almost within touching distance, she’s unperturbed about Mackenna’s tender age and lack of big race experience.

“Mackenna is still pretty young and hasn’t got that much experience, but she’s just been going so good there’s no reason not to have a crack at it,” she said.

“You would probably prefer to go in as a little unknown, but Mackenna isn’t aware of the hype. It’s just another race to her.”

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After McInerney and Brendan Pursell etched their names in history as Victoria’s first MDC winners last year, will it be another ‘Big Mac’ celebration with Mackenna in 2023?

Mackenna is one of three Vics installed as odds-on favourite for their semi-finals, alongside Postman Pat and Umberto, both trained by Jason Thompson.

Other high profile contenders among the 18 Victorian semi-finalists include golden girls Kelsey Bale and Idolize, middle distance dynamo Hector Fawley and Melbourne Cup hero Yachi Bale.

💰 Victorians in MDC semi-finals Friday night 💰

Semi 1: Mackenna (box 1 – $1.60)
Semi 2: Umberto (box 2 – $1.95), Dundee Smokey (box 5 – $7.50), Kelsey Bale (box 8 – $3.30)
Semi 4: Aussie Rocks (box 2 – $4.40), Fire Hose (box 5 – $14), Hector Fawley (box 6 – $3.70), Kruger Lass (box 7 – $17)
Semi 5: Yachi Bale (box 1 – $6), Magic Muffin (box 3 – $7), Isle’s Entity (box 5 – $14)
Semi 6: Tom Keeping (box 3 – $18), Ailee Bale (box 4 – $12), Postman Pat (box 8 – $1.75)
Semi 7: Tinker Norm (box 3 – $5.50), Landyn Bale (box 8 – $3.60)
Semi 8: Idolize (box 8 – $4.40), Crackerjack Aret (box 10 – $15)