Gaspari In Pursuit Of SA Oaks Glory

HE'S a familiar face around greyhound tracks in South Australia, always at the end of a lead collecting winner after winner.

But, Daryl Gaspari is not one to chase fame.

That's because he is one of those valuable helpers for big kennels always ready to help kennel, catch and the like on race nights.

But that could be about to change for Daryl as the bitch he races with son Brett, Queen Of Scotch (Hooked On Scotch-Neyriti Queen), takes her place in Thursday night's heats of the G3 South Australian Oaks at Angle Park.

FIELDS AND FORM ANGLE PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

She comes into the race off a career of 14 starts for nine wins and two thirds.

She has won five of her past six and earned her shot at the Oaks.

Queen Of Scotch has drawn box eight and takes on Victorian visitors McKeon Bale, Jackpot Joan and Osprey Athena.

Tony Rasmussen, a great friend to the Gaspari clan, trains the bitch for Daryl and Brett.

“I like to head out to Tony and Lisa's property at least once a week to lend a hand, and I love being there on race nights to help out,” said Daryl.

Queen Of Scotch was one of the very first offspring of Hooked On Scotch to win.

Daryl and Brett jumped at the chance to buy Queen Of Scotch for $5000 as a pup from breeder Ben George.

Tony Rasmussen reared the bitch.

Her mother Neytiri Dream (SH Avatar-Scissor Queen) won just once from four starts but she is a litter sister to Robson (16 wins, $105,000) who made a name for himself at Group class in New Zealand.

Rasmussen switched Queen Of Scotch back to sprints after she ran in the Champion Puppy at Angle Park at the end of July and it has worked.

“I leave everything up to Tony mapping out her race program,” said Daryl.

“It has worked out perfectly.

“But now is the time to come back to the city and the Oaks is a great race for her.

“Yes, it will be tough, but just to have a bitch of the quality to run in the series is something else.”