Bailey’s dream start may soon have a golden glow

By Pat McLeod

Rookie trainer Bailey Dargusch’s golden run in greyhound racing may be about to get even more rewarding.

The 18-year-old is hopeful his ‘dream’ greyhound, Midnight Queen, can cash in on QGOLD night at Ipswich on Saturday.

The Bernardo and Rinadeena bitch gave the youngster a winning start to his training career in November last year.

Since then she has been the model of consistency, recording four wins and three placings from her eight starts leading into Saturday night’s 520 metre race at the Showgrounds track.

“I could not have had a much better dog to start my training career with,” Bailey said.

“She (Midnight Queen) is only going to improve because she is just 19-20 months old. Her career so far has been super.

“Mum and dad (Casey and Alan Dargusch, owners of the Golden View Greyhound Complex at Churchable) gave me the dog because I really liked her, so I can't thank them enough for giving me the opportunity to start off with her.

“She is three from three over that distance (520 metres) at Ipswich and her heat winning time (30.48 seconds) was her best time so far.”

Bailey says he goes into Saturday night’s event with ‘a little bit of confidence’ despite an ordinary draw (box six).

“The six is not great for her, but hopefully she might jump and then can get a decent sit behind Darren Russell's dog, Savanna Beach, who is very quick early, or hopefully she will just flop out and get to the rail,” Bailey said.

“Midnight Queen is so strong, so as long as she can stay within five lengths of the leader, then hopefully she can make that ground up.

“Last week she ran home in 11.80 seconds, so hopefully that will be enough to put her in front. She does everything she possibly can to win. She is a very strong finisher.

“As long as she can get a clear run through that first turn, she should be OK.

“I have a little bit of confidence coming off the heat run, but it will all come down to those first 50 metres. If she gets a clear run she should be right up there.

“The big dangers are Savanna Beach and Whistle Away (trained by Garry Gilbert).”

Bailey is also quickly becoming aware of how important the bottom line is in greyhound racing, adding even more attraction to a podium finish on Saturday night.

“The prizemoney for the QGOLD races is really good, about $10,000 to the winner of this race,” Bailey said.

“I have been really lucky so far. I have had 16 starters so far as a trainer and I think I've made about $14,000.

“Admittedly I have to split some of that with mum and dad, but I'm still making enough to keep me happy.”

The entire Dargusch clan have hit 2025 a little more rested after a two-week American holiday just before Christmas.

Bailey is also looking forward to his first solo ‘away campaign’ as a trainer, to the Richmond Straight Cup over 324 metres - with heats on January 23 before the Final on January 30.

He said he will drive down next week and trial up to four dogs, including Victory Road and Bye Bye Swiper.

He says either of those dogs, at their best, can threaten in that Cup series, but says they face a tough hurdle in the formidable Bernardo Beast (Darren Sultana), who boasts seven wins and a second from eight starts up the Richmond straight.