Andrea Dailly is aiming to become the first trainer to claim multiple Launching Pad titles when she puts the polish on Lucy’s Milo and Jaro Bale in Thursday night’s $210,000 decider.
• What’s in a name? Lucy’s Milo is a he
• Usain loving life in retirement
Her previous Launching Pad winner was a family affair with 2015 winner Usain I’m Nutty being owned by her then 13 year old son Jordan, and the family theme continues with Lucy’s Milo (pictured, above). Bred by Andrea’s brother-in-law George who also reared him, he now races for the family’s Dailly Greyhound Farm syndicate and has earned a special place in the kennel.
“He’s one of Andrea’s favorite dogs,” said Andrea’s husband Tom who was on handling duties on Thursday night.
“George did a brilliant job with him because he’s a very nice looking dog and he can really run too.”
Lucy’s Milo registered an impressive win in his Launching Pad heat but it was his brilliant semi-final victory that set tongues wagging, scorching around the circuit in 29.116 – the fastest time recorded at Sandown Park in 2019.
“He’s getting better with every start,” continued Dailly.
“He got out of the box quite well last week (in his heat), and even better this week. As a baby he’d always shown pace – and quite good pace – but it’s taken him a while to show that in the races. Hopefully he keeps doing it like that because he’s strong as well, so if he can keep coming out like that he’s going to win some good races hopefully.”
The Dailly’s second runner, Jaro Bale, won his semi-final in a moderate 29.80 but it was the manner of the victory that most pleased Dailly.
Jumping from box 6, Jaro Bale was one of the last away and found continuous trouble throughout the initial stages of the race. However the well bred speedster showed race sense that belies his relative inexperience to weave his way through the field to claim his fourth victory from just six career starts, and Dailly believes he has a lot of upside.
“He’s obviously a pup with a lot of ability and is just starting to put it all together. He was probably a little bit lucky tonight that they didn’t run super time, but he was able to get into the race and he obviously has got a brain given the way he worked way through the field.”
After drawing box 2 for the final, TAB opened Lucy’s Milo the $2.70 second favourite behind boom pup Flynn who came up with the red box. Jaro Bale is rated an $8.50 chance from box 3.
The Launching Pad is one of two group 3 events on Thursday night with Australia’s number one ranked greyhound Orson Allen lining up alongside fellow group 1 winners Dyna Patty, Neo Cleo and Axel Footluce in the $35,500 Easter Gift.
The night is also the club’s annual Easter Kids Fun Night featuring a range of free Easter activities for the whole family.
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Tom Dailly discusses Lucy’s Milo and Jaro Bale and their semi-final runs
Paw note: The Launching Pad was first run as a staying event in 1997 before becoming a restricted win sprint event in 2003. It became a sweepstakes event in 2015 and since has grown to a three week series worth $432,000 in prize money making it one of the richest series in Australia.
Usain I’m Nutty was sired by the Dailly’s first TAB Melbourne Cup winner Dyna Tron. Lucy’s Milo is sired by their second, Dyna Double One, and is also one of three finalists by the 2015 Cup champion.
What’s in a name?
He’s regularly confused as a ‘she’, but Lucy’s Milo is very definitely a ‘he’.
George Dailly names Dailly Greyhound Farm greyhounds after the pup’s mother, and uses the last letter of their ear brand.
So, Lucy’s Milo is named after his mother, Lucy Wires, with Milo not having any particular meaning other than it starting with the letter M.
Lucy’s Milo’s litter includes brothers Lucy’s Nimbus and Lucy’s Otis, and sister Lucy’s Quest and all are winners on the track.
Usain I’m Nutty – where is he now?
At just 13 years of age, Jordan Dailly enjoyed one of the biggest thrills a greyhound owner can experience when Usain I’m Nutty took out the Launching Pad and pocketing the $140,000 first prize on offer in 2015.
A freak injury soon after his Launching Pad success saw him spend 12 months on the sidelines before returning and winning two more races.
He retired after winning 12 of 46 starts and with $210,000 in prize money to his name, and continues to enjoy his retirement as a much loved pet at the Dailly’s farm.
