Dacey Laments Horror Ipswich Cup Draw

VETERAN race bitch Nando Dreamer set the time standard with a 30.36 win in a heat of the Group 2 Ipswich Gold Cup (520m) on Thursday night but then her chances were “ruined” when she came up with box five in next week's final.

Eighty-eight-year-old Claude Dacey bred, owns and trains the Fernando Bale-Jeannie Dreaming bitch who scored by four and a quarter lengths over Sydney visitor, multiple Group finalist Yuko Girl.

She had the rails in her heat win but Dacey was shaking his head about her Cup final chances.

“She has got to have the inside,” he lamented.

“She has been a great bitch for us, all her life she's been very competitive.

“But, all her life she has been that sort of dog who will not go around dogs.”

Nando Dreaming has started 64 times for 24 wins and 20 placings earning $127,000.

She has already won a Young Guns at Ipswich and a consolation of the Hobart 1000.

But she has been a finalist in the G2 Flying Amy Classic, G3 Devonport Chase and a Young Guns at Albion Park.

She spent some months in Tassie last year being prepared by Claude's long-time mate Eric Haldane.

“Eric lived across the road from us for many years but moved back to Tassie about 20 years ago,” said Claude.

“Eric is hot to win the Devonport Cup (now the Devonport Chase) so we have been sending dogs down to him with that in mind.”

One of those was Corykodi who won the Cup. He is a litter brother to Nando Dreamer's mother Jeannie Dreaming.

Claude says he will keep Nando Dreamer racing until she comes on season.

“I have a feeling that will not be long happening,” he said. “I just hope it isn't next week to stop her running in the Cup final.

“Yes, we will need a lot of luck from the five, but that's what racing is all about.”

Claude rates rails  runner Hara's Herbie the one to beat in the final.

Other Cup heats went to:

He's All Purpose for Kev Murnane in 30.67.

Hara's Herbie in 30.41 for in-form Jemma Daley.

Sunburst for Jedda Cutlack in 30.58.

Come On Aussie for Ned Snow in 30.89.

Sunshine Delight for popular Paul McIlveen in 30.77.

G2 Ipswich Gold Cup (520m): 1 Hara's Herbie, 2 Sunburst, 3 Emerald Dragon, 4 Yuko Girl, 5 Nando Dreamer, 6 He's All Purpose, 7 Sunshine Delight, 8 Come On Aussie. Res: 9 Fearghal Monelli, 10 Luminosity.