By Isaac Murphy
Corykodi has been racking up the frequent flyer points in recent times taking his talents to Hobart, where he measured up to Tasmania’s best, but trainer Claude Dacey couldn’t pass up the chance to come home for a crack at the Ipswich Sprint Final, before heading back for a tilt at the Sky Racing Hobart 10000 on December 20th.
Corykodi has been a prolific winner in Queensland, up the Capalaba straight, over sprint distances at Albion Park and most importantly over the 431m at Ipswich, where he will jump in tomorrow night’s final, but the lure of the one turn Hobart track had been on Dacey’s mind for a while and finally pulled the trigger and sent Corykodi South last month.
“We were planning on going down there because he can’t seem to run the 520 out and thought the track would suit him, so I sent him down to give him a try,” Dacey said.
“He trialled beautifully in 25.80 and then went backwards in the heats and final against the open class dogs down there.”
“He still ran second on both occasions, but especially after what he showed in his trial I was a little bit disappointed because I know how good he can be.”
Although everything didn’t go to plan Dacey is sure Corykodi can fulfil his potential at Hobart and will be on hand himself when they return to Tasmania in early December.
“I think he just might have missed having me around, knowing what makes him tick,” he said.
“I’m heading back down with him on the 11th of December for the heats of the Sky Racing Hobart Thousand and then hopefully the final the week after if he qualifies.”
Corykodi returned to Queensland around two weeks ago and promptly booked his spot in tomorrow night’s Sprint Final, where Dacey believes his charge will have to improve drastically to figure in a hot field.
“He didn’t start very well in the heats for the Ipswich sprint, he just missed the kick a little bit but was able to find a way to win on ability alone,” he said
“It’s something we can’t afford to do tomorrow night especially out of the four, but hopefully second up back in Queensland he’ll be a bit sharper this week.”
“If he can lead I can’t see anything catching him, but it’s a sprint final for a reason and there’s a lot of speed, Darren Russell’s dog Go Lassie Go is drawn inside us and flies early, so it’ll be a challenge.”
Dacey also suits up Nikki Nettle in the Consolation Ipswich Cup Final tomorrow night after narrowly missing out on times in the heats.
“Nikki Nettle is just starting to hit her straps, she was hard done by to miss the final,” Dacey said.
“She’s drawn the red and is very quick early, but seems to have a little flat spot half way round before picking up again, so if she can put herself in the race I like her chances.”
“I’m going to take her to Hobart along with Corykodi, first and foremost for companion’s sake, but I’ll run her in the races while she’s there and maybe it’ll suit her too.”