Dodgy Bob Wins For Old Master

Anyone who has been involved with or followed racing will know the name Jack Berry, the original 2 year old master who once sent out over 100 juvenile winners in a season. Kevin worked for the “boss” for 5 years and learnt some valuable experience that has helped him create his own training style. With all that knowledge of 2 year olds it is no surprise that Kevin has also gained a reputation of having the midas touch with the youngsters. Dodgy Bob certainly made both trainer and owner proud as he improved to win his second start in the 6f maiden at Ripon.

Pontefract had been the destination for Bob’s debut and he ran with a lot more promise than a lot of people seemed to give him credit for. After being outpaced early and showing signs of greeness, Bob stayed on well when the race was already over. Like with all of Kevin’s juveniles there was room for improvement and Bob was fully expected to put in a bold show next time when he knew a lot more about racing. Shane Gray was in the saddle and gave the 2 year old son of Royal Applause a very confident ride, showing belief in his mount which was duly repaid. With experience in the bag, Dodgy Bob jumped a lot quicker and thanks to a decent draw was quickly into his stride and grabbed the rail. Ripon is a course that is like very few other with the downhill straight track also consisting of many undulations that can catch plenty of horses off guard. Bob had no such trouble through the early stages and this allowed him into a lovely rhythm and he led the field of 9 down the Garden Track. Despite there being a mixture of experience in the line up the pace was strong enough with plenty of the newcomers knowing their job and forcing the pace. Shane had a lovely position up the rail and after the early hustle and bustle had settled just on the leader’s girth. There was little change throughout the first half of the race and it looked as though the winner could any one of the field. Bob was showing a greater amount of maturity this time and travelled beautifully. As they moved inside the final 3f the early pace just began to show and one or two of the field began to struggle,especially the newcomers. As the leader began to weaken Dodgy Bob was left out in front, but with just over 2f to run Shane decided that he wasn’t going to disappoint his mount. Shane asked Bob to quicken and that’s exactly what he did, kicking a length clear but the race was not done yet as the odds on favourite Sahreej was full of running and looming menacingly on the outside. The favourite came alongside Bob with ease and now it looked as though it was a case of when not if he would quicken past. The only problem was that Bob was having any of it and when he saw the challenger come alongside he quickened again. Within a couple of strides the favourite went from cruising to being hard at it and ha was making no impression on Bob. Dodgy Bob easily saw off the challenge and pulled a length clear well inside the final furlong. The favourite was a beaten horse and Bob was kept up to his work by Shane to strike by 1 1/2 lengths.

Shane was impressed with the attitude shown by Dodgy Bob and felt he had won with quite a bit in hand as he needed some help when out in front. Obviously there was delight for Mr and Mrs Berry as well as Mr John Nixon who also has a share with his old friend and trainer. Dodgy Bob has certainly improved or his debut run and knew a lot more about the game this time around. The step up to 6f was just what he needed and he looks like a nice prospect when it comes time for the nurseries.