By Jordan Gerrans
Eric Conroy is planning for a second Cup raid with Springview Magic following Monday afternoon’s Group 3 triumph in Bundaberg.
The Belli Park-based trainer and his son of Fernando Bale outclassed a top field of chasers from South East Queensland to walk away with $75,000 from the 531 metre feature.
Conroy – who only trains a small team of dogs – is now aiming to head further north with his in-form greyhound.
The 17-time career winner will trial at Rockhampton’s Callaghan Park complex in the coming weeks ahead of the Cup series in Central Queensland for 2023.
Despite living in the Sunshine Coast region, Conroy considers the Bundaberg club as his “home track” having raced his team of chasers at the venue for the last 24 years.
The veteran trainer claimed the feature Bundaberg Cup back in 2020 with Belli Ultra as an owner but declared Monday’s performance as one of the greatest in his time in the sport.
“It feels fantastic, absolutely fantastic,” Conroy said post-race.
“I was very emotional, it is one of the best wins I have had in the time I have been in the dogs.
“It is amazing, I have never won this much prize money before.
“Prize money has improved out of sight these days.”
After drawing the prized one alley, the stalwart conditioner of dogs had confidence leading towards the decider.
Springview Magic has now won four of his nine starts from the red box, including Monday’s Final, with three other minor placings along the way.
“He is an honest good chasing dog,” Conroy said.
“He is no champion but he is an honest dog.
“But, today he was a champion.”
Bundaberg local Ben Davey has been along for the ride with Conroy and the brindle dog as a handler.
Conroy lauded Conroy’s training effort to lift the greyhound to the level of being a contender for the Bundaberg Cup.
“I like what Eric does, he has got the stock now to win these bigger races,” Davey said.
“I have all the faith in the world in Eric and what he does.”
Just last month, Springview Magic bettered the fastest time ever over the grass track in a 460 metre contest, bolting in by almost nine lengths in a sizzling 25.82 seconds.
The day after breaking the track record, Conroy noted that he would attempt to win the Bundaberg Cup in March over the further trip but was unsure if his kennel star would be able to run out the 531 metre feature.
Springview Magic built up his stamina with his first two runs over the longer trip – finishing second on both occasions – before breaking through at his third attempt.