Springview Magic Races To Fairytale Bundy Cup Win

SPRINGVIEW Magic's all-the-way victory in Monday's Group 3 Bundaberg Cup (531m) has more twists and turns than a best seller movie.

The son of Fernando Bale and Nangar Miss held off a late challenge from All Natural to win by half a length in 29.91 with two lengths to Deemed A Liar in third.

Trainer Eric Conroy said a silent prayer last week to his mum Betty, who had died 29 years ago, asking her for help to get box one in the $75,000 to the winner final.

That's exactly what happened and Springview Magic led throughout aided by that perfect draw.

But, the victory was also planned 12 months ago by three Bundaberg mates, Ben Davey, race-caller Jarrod Wessel and Tylen Wallace.

SPRINGVIEW MAGIC takes out the @tabcomau Bundaberg Cup for Eric Conroy? After a blistering start from the rails box, the son of Fernando Bale was gutsy in holding off a fast finishing ALL NATURAL to take home the $75,000 winners cheque ? #QLDisRacing? pic.twitter.com/72fq8USZ06

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) March 27, 2023

Ben and Tylan went to the dogs at Bundy to celebrate a cricket grand final victory.

“We sat at a table next to Eric Conroy and got talking to him about getting into greyhounds,” said Ben.

The plan was hatched that day to win this year's Cup.

And, also at the track on Monday was Ben and wife Amber's new-born son Billy, just five days old.

Jarrod Wessel is in Dubai on race calling duties but made sure he was tuned in to the Cup final and within minutes of the race being run, he had contacted Ben and Tylan.

“It is my biggest thrill in many years in greyhounds,” said Eric.

“I have six in training and I knew this dog needed the one box. That's when I asked for my mum's help. She died 29 years ago.”

Eric remembers only too well being approached by Ben and his mates.

“We got a couple of giveaways at first, but they were what you would expect from giveaways,” said Ben.

“We saw this dog advertised on Greyhound Data and paid $6000 for a half share. The original owners, stayed in him.

“But after he won his second start for us, at Ipswich, they wanted to sell their half and we paid an extra $2000 to buy him outright.

“Yes, we bought him to win the Bundy Cup, in our own home town where we have grown up together playing sport together and going to school together.”

Eric will head to Rockhampton to trial Springview Magic with the Rockhampton Cup the target and another winner's prize of $75,000 on offer.

Like Eric, Ben, Jarrod and Tylan knew Springview Magic desperately needed the rails.

“He has had no luck in the box draws all the way along since we got him,” said Ben.

“But if ever there was a time to draw the rails it was the Bundy Cup heat and final. And he did.”

Springview Magic has now started 49 times for 17 wins and the victory took his earnings to $125,000.

Ben, Jarrod and Tylan have four dogs now … and a Bundaberg Cup trophy.

And, to top off all of that … Springview Magic was a late scratching with a weight variation on March 13 and was slapped with a 10-day suspension.

However, the race meeting was abandoned after just two races when an electrical storm hit the city. Springview Magic's suspension, which would have ruled him out of the Bundaberg Cup heats the following week, no longer existed.