Rory ready to fly in Origin Sprint clash

By Josh Spasaro

Veteran owner of Daysea’s Rory, Claude Dacey, admits it was a difficult decision giving up his outstanding fawn chaser.

But, that call was made a little easier when he transferred his now three-year-old to champion Queensland trainer, Tom Tzouvelis.

“It was hard, but I thought, ‘If I can’t beat him, I might as well join him’,” Dacey said with a laugh.

Regarded as one of the Sunshine State’s best chasers, Daysea’s Rory will jump from box eight in the Group 3 Origin Sprint at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night.

Dacey added that Tzouvelis was excellent at identifying any weak spots in his greyhounds.

“He’s a top trainer. Not only that, he makes sure the dogs aren’t sore,” he said.

“The dog has travelled a lot and Tommy travels everywhere with them. I couldn’t speak any more highly of him.”

The Origin Sprint is worth $150,000 and will be run over 520 metres.

He might not have recorded a win from his past five starts, but you cannot question the effort from Daysea’s Rory in recent weeks.

The elite chaser with 29 wins from 93 starts and almost $663,000 in prizemoney finished third at his last start at Capalaba on June 14 as he was beaten by kennelmate Armarta.

And, on June 6, he was runner-up to Ross The Boss at Q2 Parklands.

“Tom thinks he’s got a chance, so I’m happy to go with Tommy,” Dacey said.

“He’s had some injuries, but he’s all clear now.

“If he wins on Thursday that’d be really, really good. But, if he got second, that’d be great prizemoney too.”

Dacey said at this stage it was unlikely that Daysea’s Rory would be a stud dog when his glittering chasing career comes to an end.

“I don’t think he’ll be a stud dog. I’ll have to be pushed to do it,” he said.

A career highlight for Daysea’s Rory was his win in the 2024 Queensland Flame. Dacey said Daysea’s Rory possessed an outstanding attitude.

“He’s a good dog. He’s always been a keen dog and he loves work,” he said.

“When I had him, he just kept working up the straight every day. He loves it.”

Dacey, who turns 92 on July 3, is still an active trainer despite fighting a rare heart disease called Amyloidosis. 

But, looking after most of the dogs in the performing Sennachie and Nikki Nettle litter has brought a lot of joy.

In the seven-dog litter are Daysea's Kurt, Daysea’s Court, Daysea’s Rory, Daysea’s Shelly, Daysea’s Chief and Daysea’s Elvis.

Each has over 10 wins to its name.

“They’re lovely, beautiful dogs, the whole litter,” Dacey said.

“They’re always nice and calm, happy dogs.”