Rangiora trainer Kenny Moore is looking for a fairytale ending with his evergreen galloper Bluey’s Chance when he heads to Trentham on Saturday.
The 10-year-old gelding nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) history when the $130.20 outsider beat all but Waisake in the 2021 edition of the NZ Campus Of Innovation & sport-sponsored two-miler, giving Moore his most memorable moment in racing.
“It was one of the best days of my life, it was so unexpected, so brave, and something we will remember forever,” he said.
Moore is looking forward to tackling the Wellington Cup once more with Bluey’s Chance this weekend, where he will be met by Waisake once more.
“It is a great thrill and an honour to be there again,” Moore said. “We are going to do our very best to turn the tables on him (Waisake), but they are a couple of geriatrics now, 10 and nine respectively.”
Bluey’s Chance takes a last start Greymouth Cup (2000m) placing into Saturday, and Moore said he couldn’t be happier with his charge.
“He is finding the line really well and running home beautifully in his races, everything is as good as I can get it,” he said.
“This whole prep has been aimed at getting him ready for two miles this Saturday, this is his grand final.”
Bluey’s Chance has drawn barrier 17, and while not conducive to his front-running racing pattern, Moore isn’t overly perturbed by the draw and expects his gelding to find a handy position regardless.
“He drew the outside last time when he got second to Waisake, so it’s not so critical over two miles,” he said.
“All his best races he has been close to the front on the turn, so that will be the aim. Where he settles in the running will depend on how he jumps and how the field pans out. We will certainly want to be handy by the home turn.”
Bluey’s Chance will head north later this week and has enjoyed some time at the beach ahead of his trip across the Cook Strait.
“We just spent the morning at the beach and he had a whale of a time swimming in the sea,” Moore said.
“He is as fit as I can get him, so today was just a play day at the beach and he really enjoyed that. It is something different mentally for him before he embarks on the journey.”
Moore will also be seeking Group One glory with stablemate Lady Telena at Trentham this weekend in the Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m).
The daughter of Vespa finished sixth in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m), and Moore believes she deserves her shot at elite-level.
“It’s not very often little trainers like me get to go for the big time,” Moore said. “She went well on Saturday with no luck in the running. We are up there and she deserves a crack at it."