Dave's perfect namesake

MANY cultures believe a person has a spirit animal - one that reflects their personality and traits.

At Cranbourne last Sunday night, one such animal came to prominence by emerging triumphant for trainer Taylor Ford.

Purchased as a yearling, the son of Lincoln Royal was named in honour of Ford's late cousin, Dave Medhurst, and appears to possess the same mischievous ways as his namesake.

Racing as Justlikedave , the pacer "knows how to be a menace, just like Dave did", including sustaining several injuries before making his debut.

"He has been like Dave in so many way...a real Denis the menace," Ford said. "It started with a bone chip in his nearside front fetlock, which we had removed, then he got kicked by a colt on his offside front, which resulted in a chip in his knee which had to be removed.

"Then when he was finally back in work, he kicked the jogger and chipped the bone in his offside back leg.

"Thankfully that didn't require surgery, just eight weeks off.

"Dave could always find a way to get himself in strife as well, so this bloke is just like him."

With Ford in the cart, Justlikedave led throughout from the pole to cruise to an 18-metre win from Blazin By.

Five Cent was a metre-and-a-half away third in 1:57.5 over a mile.

"I couldn't have been happier with him," Ford said. "To finally have him win a race was so emotional, it's a win I will never forget.

"I've gone through a lot with him and Jodi (Quinlan) has been an amazing help all the way."

Co-owned by Ford and Quinlan, the three-year-old has another similarity to Medhurst according to the Tasmanian-bred horsewoman.

"Dave could be a bit of a mummy's boy at times and Charlie is a big sook," Ford said. "There was a time when he was crook that he wouldn't eat unless I held the bucket for him.

"He comes when I call his name and pretty much gets separation anxiety when I'm not around!

"At times I will just sit in his yard and he'll come and put his head in my lap and won't move."