Claude back to his happy hunting ground for ‘special’ race

By Pat McLeod

Claude Dacey is a perfect example of the now-popular catch-cry to those advancing in years, ‘Don’t let the old man in’.

This week, under the midday sun, long-time greyhound trainer Claude, who turns 90 on July 3, was battling to ‘unbog’ his ride-on mower on his 10-acre property at Gilberton, south of Brisbane.

“The rain has made it impossible to mow and the grass is six feet high,” Dacey said.

“I decided to give it a try, but am bogged. I still keep myself pretty busy, but it is getting harder the older you get. My son Robbie is a big help.

“He is getting more and more involved in the dogs and will take over from me. Although he reckons I will still be doing this when I am 100.”

This Sunday Claude will make his weekly pilgrimage to Capalaba where he is ‘reasonably’ confident about his chances in the feature, the Wayne Harris Appreciation fifth grade Final. 

He has Daysea’s Shelly, who recorded the second fastest win (19.94 seconds) of the six heats last Sunday. The quickest was Jedda Cutlack’s That’s Hot (19.72 seconds).

“What I like about her (Daysea’s Shelly) is that she continues to improve,” he said.

“Originally, she was the slowest of the seven in the (Sennachie and Nikki Nettle) litter.

“But, every run she just gets better. She has always started well, but she would get in front and then ease up a bit when she was pressured in running.

“However, now she is chasing a lot harder. She is maturing as a race dog. Eventually, most of that litter will be good 520 metre dogs.

“She will be coming out of box two on Sunday, which is good because she likes the inside. With the box draw and her heat time she would have to be a good chance in the Final.”

Sunday’s Wayne Harris Appreciation Final has received plenty of attention from the big-name kennels with the Tom Tzouvelis-trained Rio Will Rock (box eight) and Simply Express (box four) joining Cyndie Elson’s Royal Warren (box six) and Swift Bill (box five) in the showdown.

Claude says these days he doesn’t get excited by features and Finals (although he says Robbie will be), however this Sunday will be special.

“I love going to Capalaba and it would be special to win a race named after Wayne (Harris),” he said.

“I knew him well and you would not meet a nicer, more considerate person. He was always there to give a hand, help anyone out.

“I used to really enjoy the chats I would have with him at Capalaba. I am not one for stats and trophies, but this would be a nice one to win.”

Claude also has plenty of kind words for the Capalaba track and its fraternity.

“It is the perfect track for me,” he said.

“The dogs love racing there and so do I. I have had my share of success at the track over the years with some very good dogs including Corykodi (82 starts for 35 wins, 23 placings and $136,696 in prize money).

“But, what makes Capalaba so special are the people, just so friendly. And, it has good tucker as well.”

Claude says Sunday’s Final has plenty of chances, but rates That’s Hot as his biggest danger.