Mark Moroney-trained Fire Legend was the early favourite for Monday night's Maitland regional final (450m) of the Million Dollar Chase after a sharp heat win and draw in box two for the decider.
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Fire Legend and the Jason Mackay-trained Cursed won heats at Maitland on Monday night where the top four progressed to next week's decider.
The top three from the race, which is the last regional final in the series, will progress to semi-finals at Wentworth Park on October 9.
Fire Legend, which returned recently from Victoria to the Doyalson North kennels of Moroney, was the most impressive qualifier on Monday night, overcoming a start in box eight to win in 24.88 seconds.
He then drew well in two and opened as a $2.40 favourite with the TAB.
Whitfield, for Sawyers Gully trainer Darryl Thomas, made up ground late to finish 1.5 lengths away from Fire Legend after a slow start from box five.
He drew the coveted one box for the final and was a $3.70 second elect. Thomas already has Gunnedah final winner Xerri, a litter brother to Whitfield, in the semis.
"He missed the start badly but got a bit of a run through, and those things happen in racing," Thomas told thedogs.com.au. "He was impressive finding the line and he'll definitely be better next week."
Final: 1. Whitfield, 2. Fire Legend, 3. Miss Granger, 4. Bumpy Black, 5. Ebby Infrared, 6. Cursed, 7. Aston Sapporo, 8. Hudson Bolt.
Reserves: 9. Winlock Sunshine, 10. Speed Predator.
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IN THE NEWS:
Craig Kerry
Craig Kerry is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald.
Craig Kerry is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald.
