Country Cup not a bridge too far for Davey’s rising speedster

By Pat McLeod

Young Bundaberg trainer Ben Davey’s success curve in greyhound racing has been jolted skyward by the track antics of developing speedster Canya Escape.

“She’s a freak, tons of ability,” the youngster enthused about the Houdini Boy and Wynburn Mia chaser.

“From the moment she came into my kennel I have been impressed. From the get-go she was producing free-for-all trial times. I have a massive opinion of her.”

Davey, who has only been training for about a year and a half, is hopeful Canya Escape’s very impressive track apprenticeship continues in the Rockhampton leg of the Country Cup heats, to be staged on Wednesday night.

With the Bundaberg track off-line for remedial work, the top four runners from both the Rockhampton and Townsville Country Cup Finals will progress through to the decider of the annual series at Albion Park on Thursday, January 30, the pinnacle night of racing for the 2024-25 Queensland Golden Greys Summer Racing Carnival.

“It would be fantastic to progress through to the Final here and then on to Brisbane,” said Davey.

“I believe she (Canya Escape) has the ability to do that.

“She is still learning, still maturing and to date has had just the 10 starts (for four wins and a second).

“There is a genuine excuse for every race she has not won. For example, she loves the rail, but has drawn one of the outside boxes in all but two of her starts.

“I understand that is greyhound racing, but I am confident she will continue to improve and has the ability and temperament to be something special.”

The three heats of the Rockhampton Country Cup over 510 metres have attracted quality fields.

Canya Escape (box five) will have to contend with Dallas Beckett’s in-form Play Dirty (box four), who has not lost since joining the Rockhampton kennel from Victoria seven starts ago.

However, Davey only sees positives in that showdown.

“I am happy with our box because I am hoping that she gets a cart across from the four (Play Dirty),” Davey said.

“If that happens and she can get through the corner without trouble I believe she can run a big race.

“If she is able to get through the corner cleanly, and is within four-to-five lengths of the leader, I think she is good enough to run them down.

“Her run home is very strong. She chases 100 per cent. She can be a bit hit and miss with her starts, but she musters and then just chases hard.

“I believe over time she may be more suited to longer distance.

“(Premier trainer) Tony Brett told me Canya Escape is very similar to her father (Houdini Boy), who of course was a champion distance performer. I just hope she is able to mature and show us her best.”

Davey also has Case Dismissed in the opening Country Cup heat (race six). He came off the reserves bench into box five after the scratching of Darren Taylor’s King Eternal.

Case Dismissed (from a Sennachie and Bombshell Bandit litter) started his race career in spectacular fashion with three wins from his first four starts, however he has not been back to the top of the podium in his next 29 starts.

“He hurt his toe and took a fair while to come back from that,” explains Davey.

“Since then, he has trialed really well, but in a race appears to be a bit field-shy. Hopefully in these heats he can jump well and just go.”

Top Central Queensland trainer Ken Boody has eight starters across the three heats, successful Sarina-based visitor Steve Scott has five, while Mick Boody has two, including 2023 Townsville Cup winner More Peaches.