He will head to England next week as a member of the Australian Kangaroos squad, but rugby league halfback Mitch Moses headed to Wentworth Park on Wednesday to sharpen his kicking skills before he boards the plane.
Moses was at racing Headquarters to officially launch the finals of the world’s richest greyhound series, the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase. Semi-finals of the event will be held this Friday night, with each of the eight winners advancing to the Grand Final on October 17 where one greyhound will win their connections $1 million.
“I’m a dog lover and I’ve watched greyhound racing for afar I guess, then this ambassador role came up and I just saw it as a great opportunity for myself to jump on board and learn from these guys (Greyhound Racing NSW) and see what we could do,” Moses said.
“I will be in England when the race is on next week, but I’ll definitely be watching on. I've actually experienced this race (the Million Dollar Chase Grand Final) here about three years ago and it's a great night out. I would encourage everyone to get out here and have a go and have a watch and you will enjoy it.”
Moses has dabbled in racehorse ownership but with $1 million prizemoney on offer, he is contemplating getting involved in this sport as an owner.
“That's (greyhound ownership) the next one for me,” he said. “I think we're going to have to get involved. I'm going to have to ask a few of the boys here and maybe get a few shares in some greyhounds. It's exciting to be involved.
“The Million Dollar Chase is a great experience and opportunity. That money changes people's lives and hopefully I've got a greyhound in the future, and hopefully it's racing in this race.”
Apart from eight greyhounds racing for $1 million in the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase, a total of $1.5 million in prizemoney will be handed out on October 17, along with plenty of activities off the track, including the chance for someone to drive away from Wentworth Park in a brand new $60,000 Kia Tasman Ute.
Ten lucky patrons will be drawn, then draw for spots from 1-10. Each will take their turn kicking a punt on the Wentworth Park track, 20m into the back of the Kia Tasman. The first patron to land the football in the Ute, and have it remain in the vehicle, wins the car.
The type of precision Moses may need to lob a ball into the hands of a high-flying Josh Addo-Carr at Wembley Stadium later this month was put to the test down the Wenty straight, and after adjusting to the tricky conditions, Moses landed a couple of balls safely into the back of the Ute.
While Moses will be on the other side of the world on Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase Grand Final night, his good friend, Dally M player of the Year, and fellow GRNSW Ambassador James Tedesco will be trackside, along with former Parramatta star and media personality Nathan Hindmarsh.
Social media megastar Big John will be at Wenty and host a Bucking Bull competition with $1,000 prizes for the best male and best female riders.
The team from Hello Sport will be hosting an event, an array of special food trucks are being brought in for the night, and DJ Winny will be performing.
Before then, Friday night’s semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase will be run with the night commencing at just after 7pm, and the eight winners who advance to the Grand Final to be determined by 10.20pm.
