Daley proudly showcases ‘next batch’ in Golden Chase semi-finals

By Pat McLeod

Top young trainer Jemma Daley is rapt to be showcasing her next line of talent at the newly minted Golden Chase Sprint series, which reaches the semi-finals stage at Ipswich on Friday.

Daley has four runners, one in each of the four semis, including three Equalizer and Hara's Penny litter mates.

She has Hara’s Buddy (box two) in the opening semi-final (race five), and then Hara’s Honda (box six), Johnny Koala (box two) and Hara’s Stellar (box three) in the final semi (race eight).

“I am really happy with how all four have come through the heats,” Daley said.

“They have all shown terrific box sense and speed. They have put themselves into each of their races, which is 99 per cent of the battle, especially in the 431 metres at Ipswich. They have all shown a good turn of foot out of the boxes.

“(Partner and co-trainer) Tarquin (Neal) and I sat down and decided to give two of them, ‘Honda’ and ‘Stellar’, a run at Capalaba leading into the series, just to give them a break from Ipswich and I think that has paid dividends because they have both hit the ground running.

“Of course, all four have to jump again in the semi-finals to put themselves in the race. So hopefully they can do that.

“Hara’s Stellar has probably been the biggest surprise out of the litter for us because it has taken her a little bit of time to find her feet whereas Honda was more of a natural racer to begin with.

“But, overall, really happy with the way they have all progressed. I would say on Friday all four are even chances of doing well.”

Previously known as the Auction Series, the Golden Chase follows the same format with 431 metre and 520 metre races, both for chasers who progressed through the 2022 Ipswich Auction.

The annual event attracted more than 300 ‘graduates’ that year following the announcement that the 2024 main feature over 520 metre would offer $100,000 to the winner.

Daley said the flow-on from that promotion was being realised now.

“It is a tough series this year, but that was always going to be the case given the number of dogs that are eligible for it,” Daley said.

“So, I'm not surprised that it is very tough to get through each stage.”

The qualifiers from Friday’s four semi-finals will go through to the 431 metre Final at Ipswich on Saturday, March 9, with $14,000 to the winner.

Heats of the 520 metre Golden Chase will be held on March 30, with the semi-finals on April 6 and Final April 13.

Daley said Johnny Koala, who won his heat last week in a sharp 24.94 seconds, was bred by her partner Neal, who owns and trained the mother, Rapid State.

“Tarquin still has the mum as a pet, so that makes this dog special for us,” Daley said.

“Of the litter mates, I would say that Hara’s Buddy is probably the dog that we are really keen to see kick on.

“At the moment he does get himself a little bit excited, so once he starts to settle into his race routine I would expect to see pretty good things from him.”

Daley said Comedy Act (trained by Mick Johnston), who posted a very sharp 24.59 seconds to win his heat, was the obvious stand out, however there was plenty of quality across the four heats.

“I was also impressed with Out The Bottle (Mick Boody), who ran second to Hara’s Stellar,” Daley said.

“He is out of the one box on Friday, and if he handles the inside draw, will be a big danger. I will also be cheering for Kia Kaha (Warren Nicholls) because we reared her for owner Sally Evans.”