Taormina has thrust herself into joint favouritism for the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase (MDC) after a near track record run at Dapto on Thursday night.
The Group 1 placegetter produced one of the performances of the year to claim the annual Dapto Silver Collar by six lengths, with the time of 29.38 just half a length outside Fantastic Dotty's longstanding mark of 29.34.
The impressive effort also surging her to the top of the all in market for the MDC at $15 alongside Jungle Johnny and Power And Glory.
“She came out running and the rest is history…that’s what we do at Clover Park,” Andy Lord said after the impressive win.
“Speedy Pie [runner-up] is the most consistent beginner in the game and there aren’t many dogs who can run first sections like her, so for Taormina to hold her out and then produce that time, it was a terrific run.”
“And it was even more impressive considering it was only her second look at the track. We got stuffed up a bit when they called the races off last week [due to inclement weather] so we had to give her a box to box there on Monday, which is something I would normally never do.”
“She still went 5.43 to the mark and 17.17 to the back so she’s improved considerably to go 5.41 and 17.03 last night. I think she’ll really fly at Dapto over the next few weeks.”
Lord eluding to the upcoming Group 1 Ladbrokes Dapto Megastar, with Taormina also topping that market (opened at $21 and now into $3.50) following her 16th career victory on Thursday night.
Taormina is a half-sister to 2021 Dapto Megastar winner, Ritza Donna
“Funny thing about that bitch is she was very weak at the end of her races when I got her…now it’s the best part of her run,” Lord added.
“If you can find a dog who is quick early and can keep finding at the other end, they’re hard to beat. I’m not going overboard but she reminds me a bit of She’s A Pearl.”
“She doesn’t quite have the first section of ‘Pearl’ but they have some similarities. Taormina breaks their hearts up the back just like ‘Pearl’ did and high speed bitches like them get off the rail a bit on the home corner and that happened again last night.”
The daughter of Fernando Bale x Ritza Millie primed for an assault on the last ever Megastar series – a race the Lord kennel last won in 2022 with Good Odds Emma.
“She’s a genuine Megastar dog and she’s perfectly placed ahead of the heats next week [September 4],” Lord said.
“She’s proven she can win from any box lately [Taormina has won eight races from eight different boxes in her last nine starts] but I think she’s better when she’s drawn out wide. She likes being in the middle somewhere so I’d be more than happy with Box 5.”
“Ayden’s Warrior and Destroying are also likely to head to the Megastar heats. Ayden’s Warrior loves Dapto [five wins at the track] and Destroying trialed quicker than Taormina on Monday.”
The 2025 Ladbrokes Dapto Megastar heats will be run on September 4, with the $75,000-to-the-winner final slated for September 11.
It will also be the last ever night of racing at the famous South Coast circuit.
