Bluey’s Chance (NZ) (Remind) nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in last year’s Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation and Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) and trainer Kenny Moore is hoping he can do the same this year.
The son of Remind was a 130-1 outsider in last year’s staying feature and came up just half a length short of winner Waisake (NZ) (Zed).
“It was totally unexpected last year,” Moore said.
“We were just delighted to be in the field and anything that wasn’t last was going to be a bonus. To almost pull it off was the thrill of a lifetime.”
Bluey’s Chance once again sits towards the bottom of the market for Saturday’s Wellington Cup, with TAB bookmakers installing him as a $31 chance alongside Skyphta (NZ) (Pierro), Rose of Delgatie (NZ) (Darci Brahma), and Platinum Spirit (NZ) (Charm Spirit), with Because (NZ) (Savabeel) the only competitor at longer odds ($51).
His place in the market doesn’t worry Moore, who also shares in the ownership of the eight-year-old.
“It is very exciting, I am thrilled to be there,” he said.
“From January last year, everything that we have done has been aimed at being back here this year.
“Every start has been a step along the way and I couldn’t be happier with him.
“I believe he is better than he was this time last year.”
Bluey’s Chance will be ridden from barrier six by apprentice jockey Joe Kamaruddin and Moore believes his style of riding will benefit his charge.
“I chose Joe because I think his calm personality will suit the horse, I think they will gel nicely,” Moore said.
While confident of a good showing on Saturday, Moore said his chances will be dictated by whether Bluey’s Chance settles.
“Ideally we would love to get a nice sit in behind them and hopefully he settles. That is the big question with him. If he settles he is a huge chance, if he doesn’t he will be last,” he said.
“Until they jump we just don’t know what will happen. He has always been the same, that is just his little quirk.”
Bluey’s Chance has been in Moore’s care for several years and he said he has become a family pet.
“He came to the stable with one of the workers who was with me,” Moore said.
“He has been with us for five years now and he is part of the family. We absolutely love him, we would have him living in the house if we could. He is like one of my golden retrievers.”
The Wellington Cup will be Bluey’s Chance’s grand final for this preparation and he will head to the spelling paddock before returning for a winter campaign.
“He is going to go out for a breather because he has been up since the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m),” Moore said. “He quite likes the sting out of the tracks as well as the dry, so we will bring him back for some of the winter handicaps.”
