Haldane’s victory 26 years in making

VETERAN greyhound trainer Eric Haldane had to wait 26 years to secure his second Group winner and it arrived at Devonport yesterday courtesy of a brilliant all-the-way win by Corykodi in the 2019 Group 3 Devonport Cup over 452m.

Corykodi has been on loan to Haldane from his friend, Queenslander Claude Dacey, who brought the dog to Tasmania for the Hobart Thousand in December but had to return to Queensland, so he left the dog with Haldane.

The dog made his way into the cup final courtesy of a game heat win last week and yesterday the well-bred son of Paw Licking-Dayseas Astra produced his best to score an emphatic win. Corykodi ($5.50) scored by 2½ lengths from Hello Nugget ($21) and Lenard’s Boy ($17) was 1½ lengths away third. The winner stopped the clock at 25.56.

Haldane was thrilled with the win and said he only has two dogs at most in his kennels these days.

“I’m just a hobby trainer these days and this is a big thrill, but I’m more pleased that the dog has won a good race in Tassie for my friend [Claude Dacey] — he’ll be rapt,” Haldane said.

“It’s been a long time between drinks as far as big wins are concerned for me, but these days it’s just nice to keep my hand in.”

Haldane’s last Group winner was Wary’s Desire, which won the 1993 Group 2 Launceston Cup after finishing second to Bomber Gleeson in the 1992 Group 1 Hobart Thousand.

Corykodi will progress to the Launceston Cup series which Haldane says will suit the dog.