Rory’s year of highs could have a golden finish

By Josh Spasaro

In September last year, Daysea’s Rory missed out on a Million Dollar Chase Semi-Final berth after coming fifth in the Grafton Regional Final.

But, it was then that an opportunity arose for premier Queensland conditioner Tom Tzouvelis to train the three-year-old dog and he has done outstanding things since.

Daysea’s Rory will line up from box six in the Million Dollar Chase Final at Wentworth Park on Friday night, with $1 million going to the winner.

Over the past 12 months, highlights for Daysea’s Rory have included victories in the Rising Stars Final at Albion Park, Queensland Flame Final, Winter Sprint Final at Q2 Parklands and Straight of Origin Final.

He also finished third in the Group 1 The Phoenix at The Meadows on December 21.

All were achieved after the Sennachie and Nikki Nettle chaser was sent to master Park Ridge trainer, Tzouvelis, by owner and long-time family friend Claude Dacey.

“His owner was training him at the time and he didn’t do what he thought he would’ve done in that (Grafton) series,” Tzouvelis said.

“And, it was soon after that when the opportunity arose for us to take him. I’m glad we did.

“We’ve had him since September last year and he’s won a lot of feature races for us in that time.

“Going to The Phoenix was a big thrill running third. It’s been a bit of a privilege – we’ve been very lucky.”

Dacey had every bit of faith that Daysea’s Rory could perform at the elite level under the expert eye of the 2024-25 Australian Trainer of the Year.

“Claude has been a friend of the family and a good friend of my Dad's for a long time,” Tzouvelis said.

“Claude said to me, ‘if you can get him going, I think he’s Group-class’.

“He said he’s not doing it at the moment, but he said he’s definitely a dog who can do it.

“And, he was 100% right. Just a little tweak to his training and he’s been a hell of a ride for us since last September. It’s been terrific.”

As well as his persistence in qualifying for this Friday night’s Million Dollar Chase Final after falling short in Grafton last year, Daysea’s Rory also does not lack physical and mental toughness.

"He’s just one of those dogs who gives you his all every time. We’ve travelled all the east coast with him and he hasn’t let us down yet," Tzouvelis said.

In his Million Dollar Chase Semi-Final last week, Daysea’s Rory was fourth on the back straight from the seven lane and even Tzouvelis thought it would be a tough ask to win from there.

But, he never gave up, striding long and late to win by a-quarter-of-a-length.

“He definitely lifted. It was not the best position to be in early and he’s got a great will to win,” the Queensland conditioner said.

“He showed that the other day.”

By Group 1 winner Sennachie, Daysea’s Rory is out of Dacey’s brood bitch Nikki Nettle.

“Norma and Claude, they bred him and they bred the mother. They’ve had that dam line for a long time. A few generations,” Tzouvelis said.

“They’ve done really well out of that line and they’ve been terrific producers. The brother (Daysea’s Kurt) was in the Capalaba Cup Final on Sunday.

“Most of the litter have made Group race Finals. They’re an exceptional litter. I think they’ve just ticked over the $1 million mark in combined prizemoney, so it’s been a fantastic achievement.

“Claude and Norma, they’re elderly people. Claude’s 91. But, they love their dogs. They’ve been doing it all their lives and they’ve got someone like Rory to enjoy the ride with.”

Tzouvelis said Daysea’s Rory won’t let the massive occasion get to him in Sydney on Friday night.

“He’s a dog who handles all situations. That’s his strength. He’s a pretty outgoing dog in the sense where he’s not shy,” he said.

“The only thing he likes to do is making sure he’s close. He’s very much a one-man type dog where you’re walking him along and you don’t really need a lead.

“He’s just looking at you half the time. He likes getting his pat and staying close. He’s one of those dogs, when it’s time in the boxes, he’s all business. He just switches on.

“Since we’ve had the dog, he’s been ultra-consistent. He’s just about made the Final of everything we’ve put him in.

“This is his second $1 million race. If you count the Brisbane Cup it’s his third $1 million race he’s been a part of. Let’s hope it’s third time lucky.”

In August, Tzouvelis was crowned Australian Trainer of the Year.

His remarkable 2024-25 campaign included more than 220 wins and $2.5 million in prizemoney.

But, he is quick to deflect praise onto owners associated with him over the years, as well as stud dogs and bitches who have provided him with excellent chasers.

“We’ve been lucky enough to have pups out of Sherbini. I was working it out the other day – we had 32 pups out of her and 29 of them won in the city,” Tzouvelis said.

“I think she threw something like 30 city winners out of 39 pups and we were lucky enough to have 29 of those, which is just remarkable.

“And, then you’ve got the Hallinan family and the Jones family. The Jones family has been unbelievable for us.

“Michael and Michelle Jones – they own Autumn Storm, Simply Express and Secret Story, who are all Group winners. They’ve sent us a few others who have been good city-class dogs and who have reached metropolitan free for all level.

“So, if I had to summarise one thing, it’s being linked with some of the best breeders in the country. And, then you look at the litter of Daysea’s Rory.

“The mother just ticked over $1 million in prizemoney for this litter. Rory has won the lion’s share of it, but she’s a super brood bitch as well. That’s been the difference.”

Tzouvelis said Daysea’s Rory should be able to handle box six on Friday night, one of the biggest nights of the calendar year for greyhound racing.

“The draw is not the worst for him. Most people would know with box six that Rory under my guidance has had a lot of box sixes in his past 30 starts,” he said.

“I think he’s had 50% box sixes, or pretty close to that since we’ve had him. Not since the start of his career, but since we’ve had him.

“I think this is something like his seventh Group Final out of the six box since we’ve had him. And, he’s won a few of them.

“If the race maps how I think it will, the two (Eriza Sparkles), three (My Boy Bingo) and four (Canya Sapphire) – they’ll all be moving towards the fence and will give us a bit of room.

“It’s then just a matter of if we can get in a decent spot. He should map about a length or a length-and-a-half off the leaders if all goes to plan. And, if he does then we’re in the game.”