Time sheet not the only criteria for young Bundaberg trainer

By Pat McLeod

Shrewd young Bundaberg owner and trainer Ben Davey looks past the stats sheet when deciding on his next kennel acquisition.

“Of course, statistics are important, but when I buy race dogs that’s not the only criteria I look at,” Davey said.

“I also like to know a bit about the person who has been looking after the dog and if the dog has been well cared for.

“That is so important for a whole range of reasons. 

"So often, the better they have been cared for the better they are to train and to have around the kennels.”

Davey’s most recent acquisition, Jessie Jet Power, certainly ticked all his boxes and the proof is now on record.

The Ebby Jet Power and Eva One chaser had 60 starts for Oakville trainer Michael Eberand before Davey bought him.

After seven starts for his new kennel, all at Rockhampton, Jessie Jet Power has been unplaced just once, notching two wins and four second placings.

“I spend a lot of time researching possible buys,” Davey explains.

“I liked this one because his times were very good, but I really liked his versatility over both the 400 and 500 metres.  That is perfect for racing at Rockhampton.

“I also really liked the fact that Michael (Eberand) was quite pedantic about whether the dog was going to be well looked after.

“I was in Bali when the dog was being sent north and so I had arranged for a good friend to look after him for a few days.

“Michael wanted to know what my friend was going to feed the dog, his living conditions and whether he was going to be well cared for.

“That is what I liked to hear. He obviously cares a lot about his dogs. And, as it turns out Jessie Jet Power is not only a good race dog, but a real pleasure to train.”

Davey is a relatively recent addition to the greyhound fraternity, buying his first race dog, Springview Magic, back in the middle of 2022.

It was a dream start.

The Fernando Bale and Nangar Miss dog had 25 starts on NSW tracks before coming north and going on to victory in the 2023 Bundaberg Cup.

He finished racing in September last year with 27 wins, 26 placings and $154,715 in prizemoney from 85 starts.

“Yes, that was a good start for me,” laughs Davey.

“But, Springview Magic has also been important as a guide to any buys I have made since. I use his times as a gauge for other dogs that I am looking at to buy from NSW.”

Currently Davey has a kennel of four race dogs, with three of those, Jessie Jet Power, Hamiso and Catching Rays engaged in Wednesday night’s 11-race Rockhampton program.

Jessie Jet Power will exit box five in a very competitive free for all race over 407 metres.

“This is a tough race, but if he can get out OK, stay close, ideally third or fourth on the rail then he will give himself a good chance,” Davey said.

“Over that distance he will be strong to the line.”

One of the biggest dangers is out of box four, Rob Weeding’s Sweet Lollipop, who is unbeaten in his last four starts, all at Rockhampton over the 407 metre journey.

Also, ominously drawn in the two box is Christine Pollard’s Edgewood, who may not have saluted in his past seven starts, but boasts the quickest time of this field - 23.35 seconds over track and distance.