Flame Thrower: Daysea's Rory Roars Into Phoenix

CLAUDE and Norma Dacey have had their fair share of feature race success during their long history in greyhound racing … but this is entirely something else.

Claude, 90, and Norma, 88 next month, race Daysea's Rory (Sennachie-Nikki Nettle) which on Thursday night at Albion Park won the Group 2 Queensland Flame (520m).

On top of the $60,000 first prize for winning the race is a ticket into the $1.65 million Group 1 The Phoenix at The Meadows (in Victoria) on Saturday, December 21.

Trainer Tom Tzouvelis has had Daysea's Rory for just three starts and in that time earned almost $100,000 with him after eclipsing the Group 3 Rising Stars and now the Queensland Flame.

But Claude and Norma will not be at The Meadows to see their newest star chase a potential $1 million pay day.

"We are too old," said Claude, a stalwart of Queensland greyhound racing. 

"We don't even go to the races here these days. It's just too hard."

That job is left with Claude and Norma's son Robbie who on Thursday night handled Daysea's Kurt, a litter brother to Rory, to win a 520m 5th Grade later in the night.

"I will watch The Phoenix on TV," said Claude.

"And I don't think I will even let Norma watch the race. She really feels the pressure.

"I will have to tell her the result," joked Claude.

But the fact Daysea's Rory will now contest The Phoenix is certainly not lost on Claude and Norma.

"It's a thrill – and to think this has happened so late in our time in the sport," he said.

"Only good dogs get into these races. To think he's in it is very special. Hopefully we can do Queensland proud."

Claude remembered back to when his star galloper Double Dee Rob ran second to legend Worth Doing in the Group 1 National Derby at Wentworth Park in 1988.

"We've had a lot of good dogs and been in a lot of good races over such a long time," Claude added.

"But these days I need someone to remind us about them."

Claude said it was likely he would send his sons Robbie and Jimmy to The Meadows to be part of The Phoenix and all its glamour.