Dargusch team set for Golden Chase series

By Terry Wilson

Top trainer Casey Dargusch is set to play a significant role in the semi-finals of the rich Golden Chase series at Ipswich on Saturday night with five runners in the four divisions.

Going around for the Churchable-based Dargusch kennels on Saturday night in various semis will be Whiskey Service, Kyoto, Becky Dutton, Whiskey Sipper and Power Of Whiskey. 

Naturally, Dargusch gives all five of her runners a chance of making it through to the rich Final, which carries $100,000 first prizemoney and is an event which will help close the Ipswich club with a bang before they head off to the new The Q headquarters.

Ironically, her preferred choice, heat winner Whiskey Service (30.36 seconds), has made it this far after not all that long ago almost being written off by Dargusch as a racing prospect. 

It makes Whiskey Service, a blue and white dog by Whiskey Riot from Power Service owned by Capalaba straight track club president George Clegg, the interesting runner.

Whiskey Service was a hot and cold young galloper.

“Around our track he was the fastest in the kennel, but take him to a regular track and he was not,” Dargusch said.

“He’s an amazing dog in a field but trial him on his own and he won’t go a yard. Put him in a field, though, and he’s just a race dog – he loves the competition.

“When George originally said he had no room for him we then said we’d just chuck him in a race and see what he does and he hasn’t looked back.

“He has turned into a pretty handy little dog and if he can go close to what he did last week he’ll be hard to beat in the semis.”

Dargusch said there was something special about competing in a big race at Ipswich because it was at that track she and husband Alan had their first ever TAB winner in Lady Diva.

That was back in 2005 when they were based at Bundaberg.

Casey was once club president before the family moved headquarters to Churchable.

“Winning (the Golden Chase), it would be fantastic but for us the goal and dream would be just to make the Final,” Dargusch said.

“But, it will be the ultimate farewell to Ipswich for everyone.”

Among Dargusch’s successes at Ipswich have been the Lady Trainers Special (twice), the Col Harris Gold Sovereign and the Ipswich Sprint last year with Pink Summer.

Master Park Ridge conditioner Tom Tzouvelis is also primed for a big shot at the Golden Chase.

He has heat winners Stimulate (30.19 seconds) and Stowaway (30.46 seconds) into the semis.

They are both from the Koblenz and Sherbini litter of seven who has now won more than $100,000 from 34 wins.

The seven racers all have single names beginning with ‘S’ and six of them are under the care of Tzouvelis for owner Sonia Davis.