Tasmanian racing lost one of its great characters last week with the death of Launceston Cup-winning trainer Larry Dalco.
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Dalco, 77, had not been in the best of health since retiring just over three years ago but his sudden death came as a shock to family and friends.
“He’d only just been to the doctor who was happy with him and told him he’d see him again in six months,” Dalco’s wife Marion said.
Dalco was a trainer for more than 50 years, getting his licence as a 23-year-old, and prepared many winners on the flat and over jumps.
His career highlight was winning the 1972 Launceston Cup with Shipwright who beat subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Piping Lane.
His other top gallopers included Hilton Place, Multiple Miss, Meander Son, Barry’s Gold, Hawon, All A Flutter, White Winter Rose, Wintercole, Suez Launching, Wanganella, Raltrice, Royal Rand, Light Of Ages, Mt Arthur and Wallis.
Meander Son and Barry’s Gold were stars of jumps racing, one of Dalco’s great loves.
“He always told me his favourite horse was Burstaan but I can’t find his record – Larry said he was just a lovely, kind, honest horse,” Marion said
During the early 1970s Dalco had a freakish winning streak that was recognised as an Australian record – he won with 14 successive starters.
It also earned him the media tag of ‘The Ovaltine King’ as Dalco attributed his run of success to feeding his horses Ovaltine waste.
”I think Larry will also be remembered for the help he gave many young jockeys,” Marion said.
“He gave Alison Anderson (the first female apprentice to ride against males in Tasmania) her first job and some of her first rides.”
Dalco also helped the early careers of successful apprentices Robyn Clarke, Annette Clancy, Russell Heald and Jodi Wells.
When he retired from training about three years ago, it was in sad and disappointing circumstances.
“Through no fault of his own, one of his horses returned a positive alkaloid swab (after eating contaminated feed) and it just gutted him,” Marion said.
“I’d never had any desire to train but that’s when I took out my own licence.”
This encouraged Dalco to continue to be involved as an owner.
His last winner as a trainer had been Bachelor’s Life at Elwick in May 2015 and his last winner as an owner was Holy Diamond at Mowbray last December.
Reviving memories of his early career, when the Dalco stable was feared in the betting ring, Bachelor’s Life was backed from $21 into $6.
Larry Dalco is survived by Marion and their daughters Edwina and Genevieve and son Gavin from a previous marriage. His funeral is at the Mowbray Racing Centre today at 2.30pm.