Keeping the faith in Derby outsider

By Josh Spasaro

Triumphant owner Jacob Webb says he thought Ipswich Derby winner Koby Keeping should have had longer winning odds than $19.

You can imagine his euphoria when the 29-month-old edged out Dalgety in a thrilling Group 3 Final at Q1 Lakeside on Thursday night, recording 25.69 seconds from box six on a heavy track.

“Stoked. I wasn’t expecting it. I thought we should’ve been $50,” he said of the Tim Britton-trained chaser.

That’s not to say that Webb had no confidence after Koby Keeping finished runner-up in his heat, crossing the line in a better time of 25.43 seconds in clearer conditions last week.

Webb began to believe his blue brindle dog could enjoy Group racing glory after another runner-up finish over 520 metres at Q2 Parklands on October 8.

“I thought he’d be strong knowing that he had a 520 metre race and then got dropped back to 457 metres,” he said.

“I thought he’d be a fair chance. He’s just a touch-and-go box dog, really. Some days he gets it and some days he doesn’t.

“But, last start was probably the best he’s ever come out up there. And, when he gets to the front, you know he’s going to be strong.

“I watched a few earlier races and I thought, ‘They’re still running a bit of time’. And, then as the night went on, the track got a bit heavier.”

Webb, also vice-president at Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club, helped break in the Tommy Shelby and Hope Keeping litter.

“He’s got plenty of drive. They’ve always been good chasers, even as pups,” he said.

“They’re just honest. They’re full of drive and honest dogs.

“He started young and he’s only two years and five months.”

Now with 11 wins from 38 starts, Webb said Koby Keeping was capable of more feature wins in Queensland over the summer months.

“He’s ticking all the boxes. I didn’t think he’d get to 500 metres,” he said.

“Once they hit two, they matured and a few of them are starting to get to 500 metres.”

It has been a big week for Webb, who also watched his black dog Hey Arnold finish fifth for Melinda Finn in the Million Dollar Chase Final at Wentworth Park last Friday night.

“Me and a mate went halves in Hey Arnold, so I’ve had a bit of a ride with him,” he said.

“And, this guy has been chipping away. When they said they were going to put him in the Derby, I thought, ‘Oh, right’.

“I was in shock that he won. There were some good 457 metre dogs in there. I thought he’d have to pull up his socks. But, he did everything right.”

The 30-year-old Webb owns his own gyprock business as well as helping out at Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club.

“I’m busy. I just enjoy being around the dogs,” he said.

“I’m eager and love learning and I ask plenty of questions.”

Meanwhile, All I See was the Ipswich Futurity winner, edging out Professor Moana on the line in a time of 25.55 seconds for Victorian trainer David Geall.

Owned by David Brasch, All I See led all the way to claim her 10th win from 21 starts in a thrilling Group 3 feature.