Tzouvelis sees narrow path to victory for Phoenix baby

By Pat McLeod

The realist in Tom Tzouvelis understands the ‘next-to-no-chance’ odds offered for his Phoenix baby Daysea’s Rory leading into the world’s richest greyhound race at The Meadows on Saturday night.

But the opportunist within the astute trainer sees a narrow path to the $1 million first prize and a much wider opening to a top three finish.

“Like any greyhound race, The Phoenix race can be run in a multitude of ways,” says the successful Park Ridge (Brisbane) trainer, who in just a few weeks in charge of Daysea’s Rory has taken him from a 5^th Grade winner at Capalaba to victory in The Flame, Queensland’s selection race for The Phoenix.

“The way I am hoping the race will run puts our dog in the race.

“I think Sunset Frazier (box 4) is the dog that will lead this race.

“On any given day Sunset Frazier has the best first two splits in the country. He has been such a speed machine.

“That is why I am not unhappy with the draw, with Daysea’s Rory (box 5) on the right side of Sunset Frazier.

“My hope is that we can get on his coattails early and get a good run through.

“If the four can cross the inside dogs, well then it is a matter of whether we can hold the six (Lakeview Emily) and the eight (Explicit) early, which may or may not be possible.

“Even if we got to a close third with four and six or four and eight leading, and we are just behind them.

“Daysea’s Rory showed us in The Flame that he can come from behind.”

Part of Tzouvelis’ ‘perfect game plan’ is based on Daysea’s Rory’s sole look at The Meadows, a trial last week over the 525m journey in a very respectable 29.92 secs.

“I am hoping he can find three lengths on his trial time,” he said.

“If he can find more, even better.

“If he can find those three lengths then he is definitely a place chance.

“I was really pleased with his 5.10 secs first section in his trial. I am hopeful we can find a length on that.

“Of course I might be dreaming, but if he can run a 5.05 to the mark that will put him in a reasonable spot going around the turn.

“It won't necessarily make you the leader in this type of company, but he will definitely be in the first three.”

Tzouvelis said the biggest positive for Daysea’s Rory leading into the $1.65 million unique slot race was that no matter what the result, the dog is in a ‘win-win’ situation.

 “His price (as much as $71) is not unexpected,” he said.

“You look at the calibre of dogs that he is against.

“Their slot holders selected them for a reason. They are the best of the best.

“And you have to remember our dog is the baby of this field.

“The other dogs are not only brilliant race dogs, but are seasoned campaigners.

“Rory is only 27 months old, literally a baby compared to these dogs that have already had long careers.

“We are still eligible for age races.

As of Thursday afternoon, Daysea's Rory was paying $81 to take out Saturday night's race.

Tzouvelis said while he thought his dog was a better chance than those odds, the reality was that they would be up against arguably the seven best dogs in Australia picked by the slot holders.

“We could stand up and go enormous or we could have egg on our faces and look out of place," he said.

“But if he goes down and doesn't do well, it is a learning experience and he will be a better dog for that.

“If that is the case, when he has more age on him, hopefully he will be one of the other seven in the future.

“So, in some ways it is a win-win situation.

“The experience will do him the world of good whatever happens.

The trainer added that Daysea's Rory would be a better race dog when he returns for the big Brisbane races at the Golden Greys Summer Carnival, starting with the Queensland Derby heats on Friday December, 27.

“For me he has exceeded every expectation we have given him," Tzouvelis said.

“Every job we have given him he has come through with flying colours.

“All that we hope for is that he can perform at his best and does the state proud.”