Underrated NSW greyhound Blue Moon Rising ($27.40) received the ultimate reward for consistency when creating a major upset in the Group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers Cup (725m) at The Meadows tonight, snaring a $100,000 first prize.
Entering the race with five wins and nine 2nds from his previous 14 starts – including three runner-up performances in group finals – the John Finn-trained stayer led for much of the race, eventually winning by a length over Double Gee and Boom Down, as the mighty Tornado Tears ($1.40Fav) finished fourth.
Having spent much of his career living in the shadows of his high-profile litter sister and kennelmate Poco Dorado (who finished fifth in the race), this was the first group win for Blue Moon Rising. It capped a sensational Australian Cup Carnival for the son of Fernando Bale and Chica Destacada after he ran second to Tornado Tears in the Group 1 Zoom Top (725m) two weeks ago before winning a heat of the Fanta Bale Super Stayers Cup last week.
John’s wife Minnie Finn said Blue Moon Rising was a better traveller than his superstar sister.
“I do have got a soft spot for Poco Dorado. I know she hasn’t really performed down here in Victoria but she is a different dog at Wentworth Park when she can get on the lure. On the other hand, Blue Moon Rising is pretty tough and nothing seems to worry him. Nothing phases him, whereas Poco is more dainty and needs things need to go her way,” Minnie said.
In clocking the time of 42.38sec, seven lengths faster than his heat win, Blue Moon Rising took his career record to 19 wins, 31 placings and $245,709 from 67 starts.
Earlier on Australian Cup night, the Phil Lenehan-bred, Andrea Dailly-trained Lektra Spring (Spring Gun – Lektra Scarlett) took out the GRV Vic Bred Maiden Final (525m), while Crimson Vixen (Norm McCullagh) won the inaugural Country Championship Final (525m).
Local greyhound Blue Striker (Peter Akathiotis) won the Cup Night Middle Distance (595m).
