Bob May
IT seemed like a spring day at Gawler on Friday, with 400m track specialist Black Kruger keeping his perfect winning record intact with another convincing win, to make it nine wins from nine starts.
In the free-for-all event, superstar Black Kruger jumped from box-eight on even terms with Long Gully Boy (box-seven), but went to a handy break over the field, hitting the line unchallenged with a margin of four-and-a-half lengths.
Running a smart 22.55 secs for the race, Black Kruger equalled his best time and made the task difficult for the others, including Long Gully Boy, which finished second for Paula Hearnden of Angaston and Emerley Hummer, third for Vadim Roz of Moppa. Black Kruger is trained by Paul Bodsworth at Rhynie in the Clare Valley, for Mildura owner Bronwyn Welsh.
With COVID-19 restrictions affecting Bronwyn’s ability to be at the track in SA, she has had to watch via digital means, but Bodsworth said she was “over the moon” with the dog’s record.
Bred in Mildura, Black Kruger originally raced in Victoria, and after early success there, he sustained an injury. The breeder put Bronwyn in touch with Paul, and Black Kruger was then placed in his care.
The move paid off, and the dog had its first start after a five-month break to win first up at Gawler on December 19.
While he has won at other SA tracks, it is at Gawler over the 400m trip that Black Kruger has excelled. Bodsworth said that he is an excitable type of dog, and so the shorter travelling time to Gawler is a positive factor, and the dog feels comfortable there.
Bodsworth said he is a strong believer that a “happy dog will perform”, and he and the family spend a considerable time with Black Kruger and their other dogs to achieve that aim.
With nine pups ranging from young, to ready to be educated pups, plus a retiree, he said he is grateful for the help he receives from other family members.
As for Black Kruger, he will have a couple of weeks off, with Paul looking to step him up to the 500m distance. Racing continues at Gawler on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.