Davey unlocks the secret to chaser’s potential

By Josh Spasaro

Bundaberg region trainer Ben Davey has revealed a secret to the recent form of Case Dismissed before he lines up in a Grade 1-2 feature at Rockhampton on Wednesday night – cryotherapy.

The three-year-old dog will take three successive wins into the 407-metre sprint worth $3,300.

It is a significant form turnaround after the Sennachie-Bombshell Bandit chaser went almost two years without saluting – from September 18, 2023 to August 6 this year.

Since that breakthrough triumph, Case Dismissed has won four of six starts.

The secret? Cryotherapy, which the young conditioner highly recommends.

“It’s a liquid nitrogen. It shoots out extremely cold nitrogen, which increases the recovery of the muscles and healing of the muscles,” Davey said.

“It increases blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles by four times. It’s all natural.

“It’s not injectable. It just increases the body’s natural ability to recover with pain relief.

“It also detoxes them and releases endorphins, and just makes the dog feel 100 per cent.

“It doesn’t make them run any faster than they naturally can, but it just makes them feel at their best.

“Since I’ve been doing that, my results have skyrocketed.”

It is fair to say that Case Dismissed has rediscovered the form that saw him start his chasing career in fine fashion when he saluted in three of his first four starts.

“He started off his career brilliantly. We thought we had a pretty good dog on our hands,” Davey, 27, said.

“And then he hurt a toe, and he’s never been the same dog again. He’s always been a bit field shy.

“He trials the house down. I put him with my good bitch, Canya Escape, and he beat her both times.

“She’s gone on to run second in a Group 1 and he couldn’t win a pathways race in Rockhampton.

“And then I found cryotherapy. I’ve been getting him treated with that for the past 15-20 weeks.

“I go down every week to get him treated, and he’s won five of his past seven starts since doing it.

“He’s found all the confidence in the world.”

Jane Stevens has been treating Case Dismissed via her mobile The Cryo Lady business.

Davey concedes he did not know when the next win would come for Case Dismissed during his lean form period of almost two years.

But since he first booked in his dog for cryotherapy treatment, that doubt quickly changed.

“The proof is there for me. He’s a completely different dog. It’s awesome,” he said.

Case Dismissed has drawn box eight for race three on the card at Rockhampton on Wednesday night, and Davey is happy he has drawn the outside lane.

His versatile chaser won from the pink also over 407 metres at Rockhampton on November 19.

“I think he’s definitely a very good chance on Wednesday night. If he jumps well he’ll stay wide and stay out of trouble, and pick them off late,” he said.

“That’s his trait. He’s not known for his brilliant early speed. But then the past two weeks he’s jumped exceptional for his standard.

“If he jumps like that again he’ll sit top two or three. And he’s as strong as an ox, so he’ll probably run them down again.

“He won (from box five) last week in the Free For All. And he ran best of the day.

“I think he’s drawn to perfection this week.”

By Group 1 winner Sennachie, Case Dismissed is out of Bombshell Bandit, who won 15 from 51 starts for the champion Andy and Jodie Lord kennel in New South Wales.

Davey was thrilled with the breeding when he bought the dog as a juvenile, who now has eight victories from 43 starts, with over $20,000 in career prizemoney so far.

And then the Davey family quickly fell in love with his gentle nature.

“She (Bombshell Bandit) produced Bandit Ned for Andy Lord. He won a Group 1. He was a very good dog,” he said.

“The breeding stood out. I bought him just after he’d been broken in.

“The breeding was definitely why I bought him. But why I’ve kept him for so long is because he’s just a beautiful dog.

“He hasn’t performed at all for the past two years until recently. But he’s no hassles at home. He’s a family dog.

“My young fella, Billy, loves him. He’s gentle with him. He doesn’t bark or do anything wrong.

“He’s just a very good-natured dog and very easy going. And he’s a real athletic-looking dog, too.”