By Isaac Murphy
Veteran trainer Claude Dacey may be taking on a lighter work load as his career nears its end but talented dogs like Corykodi, who is contesting the Best 8 Race over the 520m at Albion Park Thursday night, are giving the Gilberton trainer plenty of reasons to continue plying his trade.
The two year old Corykodi is widely travelled but the talented young chaser has saved his best form for the 520 at Albion, holding a career record of five wins from ten starts at the track and distance.
Dacey said while he was happy to have Corykodi racing back at Albion again after a stint over the shorter distances on the South Coast he was well aware of the strong competition he’ll face.
“He’s been going well up there but he’s up against some good dogs now in the best 8,” Dacey said
“I like to try him over the shorter distances, he’s got good box manners but doesn’t come home in great time, but the 520 is his go at the moment.”
Dacey said he sometimes has to remind himself the dog is only young and hopes his racing patterns improve over time.
“I’ve got to remember he’s only two and hopefully that stamina will get better as he gets older,” he said.
“His box manners are pretty good, he just baulks a little at the start but once he hits the ground he really gets going.”
Corykodi has drawn the four box for Thursday night’s contest, normally a trainer’s nightmare Dacey was happy to pull on the blue rug.
“For some reason he’s never liked those inside boxes,” he said.
“So anything from two or three outwards is a bonus, I’m actually quite happy to see him in the four tonight.”
Dacey has always had a high opinion of his pup out of Paw Licking and Dayseas Astra, knocking back a $35,000 offer for the dog in 2017, a wise choice given the dog has already amassed over $50,000 in prize money.
“We gave him a try down there at Wentworth Park and he didn’t have much luck, but I’m always ready to travel for the right race.”
Dacey is keeping his kennel to only a handful, but is particularly buoyant about Corkykodi’s sister Nikki Nettle who he says may have more talent than her brother if she can get it right.
“His sister in the one who I’m hoping will show real improvement,” Dacey said.
“She’s always trialled well but we just haven’t got a good run at it with injuries, if we can get her right she’s a really talented bitch.”