Our latest ‘One On One’ interview was with Bryan Dais who trains out of Eagle Farm in Brisbane. He had around 6 in work at the time, but has had a couple of extra enter the stable with some purchases from the ‘ready to run’ sales.
In our interview he mentioned a horse called Happy To Win, and for those readers who followed the mare it was a great day Sunday with her saluting at $30 on tatts. She had been racing well without luck and when the pace went on and she settled well it looked as though it could be her day, and it was. Although the race was pretty weak (with all respect to the entries) it was a very good win and in similar grade she can win again soon. Bryan was happy with the win when I rang him and looks forward to more improvement from her. “She won her first start, but has been a bit backward and was nearly four years old at her first start. She has always shown a bit of ability but we have had to be very patient with her. We took the blinkers off her two starts ago, I think it’s helped and it was a good win.”
Dais said he may have to jump a class with Happy To Win next start over 1800m and it would most likely be at the Sunshine Coast, but nothing is set in stone. The really interesting thing about the mare lays in the ownership. A part owner is Grant Best who is the great grandson of legendary Brisbane trainer Fred Best. The colours that Happy To Win carries are the famous Best family stable colours that are now Grant’s, and I believe it may have been 20+ years since they have been seen in the winner’s circle before the mare won her first start.
Fred Best Won an astonishing 17 Brisbane premierships and finished in the top 10 on 29 occasions over his amazing career, a feat that may never be equalled. He was also inducted into the racing Hall Of Fame in 2007.
Probably the best horse in the Dais stable is Beggin, a daughter of Benicio. She ran good races behind Catashee and Tafeer last prep before being a good thing beaten at the Gold Coast her last start before a spell. She will step out next Monday at the Gold Coast on Goldmarket day. She is in a class 1 over 1100m which looks spot on for a horse with her potential. Bryan is very happy with her progress. “She ran some really good races last prep. She is going really well leading into the first up run.”
Bryan is always great to catch up with and you could talk racing with all day long. I’m sure the readers who followed Happy To Win would also love to catch up with Bryan and maybe shout him an ale. Hopefully Beggin can draw a decent gate Monday as she will also be in for a good preparation for sure.
**Click on the ‘One On One’ pages to find out more about Bryan, or check out his website http://www.bryandaisracing.com.au/
Like most trainers there is always room for more owners, so check out the site if you are interested.
*We also have a Blackbooker running in Brisbane today- ALTAI WARRIOR Race 5 no. 5 for Matty Dunn.