Trainer conjuring one more campaign for sprinter

By Pat McLeod

Rookie Bundaberg trainer Ben Davey’s incredible greyhound ride may be about to become even better.

About two years ago, he and two mates decided to buy a NSW chaser, Springview Magic, for $8,000, and set him for the 2023 Bundaberg Cup.

The plan worked a treat.

They won the $75,000-to-the-winner Cup with experienced local trainer Eric Conroy in charge of the dog.

Now, Davey owns and trains the dog and is setting him for the upcoming Townsville Cup (heats on August 30 before the Final on September 6).

Springview Magic turns five in just a few weeks, but that doesn’t stop Davey from believing his ‘dare to dream’ moment can be achieved.

“Yes, he is getting on in years, but he certainly doesn’t act his age,” Davey says of his veteran chaser.

“A Townsville Cup win may seem a big ask, but I believe he can do it.

“His first sectionals are still as quick as ever and at the moment we are getting his fitness back up so that his run home is also stronger.

“For me, the biggest thing is how keen he is race. He loves it more than ever. He drags me to the track.

“The other day I came home, left the car running with the driver’s side window open and in an instant he had jumped through the window and was sitting on the front seat ready to go racing.”

Davey’s preparation for the Townsville Cup starts on Tuesday with his first visit to the North Queensland track.

He is taking two dogs, Springview Magic and Case Dismissed, and is sharing the 14-hour drive with Rockhampton trainer Ken Boody, who has three dogs engaged in the meeting.

Interestingly, Sarina trainer Steven Scott has Inevitable in race one, a fourth grade race over 380 metres, on the program.

This will be that dog’s first start since winning the Rockhampton Cup in late April.

“There seems to be a bit of interest in Townsville leading into its Cup with the current Rocky Cup winner and a former Bundaberg Cup winner there on Tuesday,” Davey said. 

“I have Springview Magic in a 380 metre race there on Tuesday. The start for that race is a bit kinder than the Cup distance (498 metres).

“However, I plan to go back up, possibly as early as next week to put him over the 498 metres. 

“I will just see how he goes. Although he is approaching five his form is still good with a third at Ipswich (over 431 metres) last week and he was an unlucky fifth in Rockhampton the week before.”

Davey said he bought his two mates out soon after last year’s Bundaberg Cup win, however Springview Magic has since been plagued with back muscle injuries.

“Eric (Conroy) has done a magnificent job with the dog, but he had a trip to Darwin planned for the Cup there and so I decided to take over the training of Springview Magic,” he explains.

“He is such a beautiful dog, a real gentleman, but loves his racing. When he has had enough he will live at home on our couch.”

Davey, a disability support worker, said he receives plenty of support on the home-front from partner Amber Sherloc and their 16-month-old-son Billy.

“Amber now loves the dogs and is getting more involved with them,” he said.

“I have three race dogs at the moment and one in pre-training. And, Billy, he is obsessed with them.”

Springview Magic has raced just twice (second and fifth) since Davey took over as his trainer.

“I would love him to win just once with me as his trainer,” he said.

“He is the first dog I owned and the ride since has been amazing. I took up training about a year ago and am loving it.”