Rising Stars Winner To Take Aim At Qld Flame

NINETY-year-old Claude Dacey has been mates with Tom Tzouvelis for decades right back to when the Tzouvelis family ran a trial and education track just nearby.

"I was forever going around there to help out with things," said Claude of his good friend.

That friendship blossomed even further on Thursday night when the now Tzouvelis-trained Daysea's Rory led throughout to win the Group 3 Rising Stars (520m) at Albion Park.

Tom had Daysea's Rory (Sennachie-Nikki Nettle) in his kennel for only the heat and final of the Rising Stars.

"I reckon, if you can't beat Tom, and these days no one can, then you have to join him," said Claude.

Claude relates that Tom has always had a huge opinion of Daysea's Rory and when he finally asked if he could have a go at training the dog, Claude agreed.

"He's got a retained testicle and the plan was to get it out," said Claude.

"But, the way he is going, that will be put on hold for a while."

The Rising Stars winner will now head to next week's Group 2 Queensland Flame worth $60,000 to the winner.

But, the Queensland Flame comes with the lure of a berth in the $1 million to the winner Group 1 The Phoenix (525m) at The Meadows on December 21.

Daysea's Rory, a finalist in the Silver Dollars at Albion Park in August, has now won nine of 37 starts and earned $81,000.