Blue Moon Rising: He's One In A Million

IT'S highly unlikely we'll see another stayer that embodies both the longevity and versatility of Blue Moon Rising anytime soon.

On Saturday night at Wentworth Park, the two-time group 1 winning son of Fernando Bale and Chica Destacada secured his 40th win with a come-from-behind Masters offering over 520 metres.

It was a typical Blue Moon Rising performance – he just found a way when victory seemed unlikely, barging rivals out of the way in the process.

The old blue marvel is versatility personified. He can win group 1 staying races tearing along in front, or quite comfortably drop back in 520m sprints and power home from last.

The one constant is that he's more often than not in the finish no matter what the task at hand.

The efforts have, seemingly, been replicated week-in, week-out during a dazzling 128-start career which on Saturday night saw his prize money earnings eclipse $500,000.

Not bad for a chaser that was largely considered the "drinks carrier" for his more illustrious siblings early on.

Yes, it seems like a lifetime ago now but, at the start of Blue Moon Rising's career, back in late 2017, he largely raced in the shadow of star littermates Poco Dorado, Veloce Nero and Two Times Twice.

He trailed the trio home in races more than once before slowly beginning to even the ledger. And how the pendulum has swung.

While Poco Dorado and Veloce Nero now enjoy retirement, Poco Dorado with a litter to Collision less than a month old and Veloce Nero in pup to the same sire, Blue Moon Rising still flies the flag admirably for the family which have now won in excess of $1.3 million.

And that continues on Saturday night when the April 2016 whelp tackles the $10,000 to-the-winner Thankyou Ladbrokes Stayers Stake (720m).

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Eyeing a 25th Wentworth Park victory, Blue Moon Rising, giving away no less than 12 months of age to his nearest rival including half-sister Really Unreal, can go one step closer to Bessy Boo's Wenty 34-race wins record with a triumphant return over the staying trip.

Where Blue Moon Rising sits among the all-time best stayers is a topic for debate.

In the twilight of his career, the sleek blue chaser has so far contested a remarkable 15 group race finals and while his deeds have been well publicised, still perhaps not well enough.

Seven group 1s, three group 2s and five group 3s to be precise – a remarkable achievement.

At group 1 level, he's secured victories in the Super Stayers (‘19) and Topgun Stayers (‘19) at The Meadows.

The remainder of his group racing career has seen a flurry of stellar performances, including a narrow second to Tornado Tears in the Group 1 Zoom Top at The Meadows last year.

And who could forget when he split his sisters Poco Dorado and Veloce Nero in the 2018 Group 3 Summer Cup Final at headquarters, handing the litter the trifecta.

And while much of the plaudits go to Blue Moon Rising and his iron constitution, plenty of praise goes the way of trainers Minnie and John Finn for keeping the grand chaser at the top of his game.

Blue Moon Rising's Masters success at the weekend took prize money earnings of Chica Destacada's progeny past $1.77 million.

And with her superstar daughters Poco Dorado and Veloce Nero already doing their bit in the breeding barn, family traditions appear more than taken care of.

20 minutes before Blue Moon Rising takes his place at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, Vamos Penny lines up in the Ladbrokes Magic Maiden Final (520m).

Trained by Kerry Drynan, Vamos Penny is a full younger sister to Blue Moon Rising, from Chica Destacada's repeat mating to Fernando Bale in October 2018.

Last year, Drynan secured the 2019 Magic Maiden at Easter time with the pair's half-sister Timeless Moment, a race that Chica Destacada offspring to Barcia Bale were represented in by six finalists.

The amazing ride for connections continues with Blue Moon Rising showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

And if it comes to be that there's a NSW Greyhound Of The Year for 2019, he'll get my vote … a few times over.