Monday, 07 Aug, 2023, by Peter Quilty
‘GREAT DAY OUT’ AT LONGWOOD
Mother-and-daughter team Dallas Massina and Chelsi Madigan had a “great day out” last Sunday week at Longwood.
A coursing stalwart, Dallas won the Victorian Derby with Swinton and Chelsi took out the Victorian Oaks with Nayeli. Both collected a $4245 winner’s purse.
Back in late June, Swinton – one of the most exciting prospects in coursing – snared the Sylvester Doyle Puppy Championship at Lang Lang.
Dallas has received numerous coursing accolades, but Chelsi, 24, produced a coursing Classic winner with her first-ever starter in the sport – including ‘circle’ racing.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I didn’t think she’d get past the first week.
“She just kept winning and I thought Mythical Queen would be too good for her in the final as only recently she was runner-up in the (Listed) Bendigo Roses.”
Based at Kangaroo Flat, Chelsi combines her coursing passion with work as a part-time project officer for the Department of Justice and Community Safety in Bendigo.
“I couldn’t believe it… I didn’t think she’d get past the
first week.”
“Coursing is such a great day out and everyone is friendly,” Chelsi said. “The dogs also love it, and it really helps them over the ‘circle’.”
Speaking of the ‘circle’, Chelsi will be chasing another ‘first’ – once again with Nayeli – at Horsham on Tuesday afternoon. Nayeli is engaged in Race 2, a Maiden over 410m, at 3.24pm.
“She’s also my first starter on the ‘circle,” Chelsi said. “I’m nervous already, but I think she’ll go very well. She’ll give her best.
“She’s got box six, but it’s only a five-dog field and she should get some room early.”
Chelsi added that Nayeli and Swinton would, “all going to plan”, head to the 150th Waterloo Cup series (August 20 & 27) at Lang Lang.
“I also just want to thank Mum and Pop (Bendigo greyhound racing legend Noel Massina) as they’ve taught me a lot.”
“I’m nervous already, but I think she’ll go very well… She’ll give her best.”
