NSW's Blue Moon Rising wins Topgun Stayers' final

In a drama filled Group 1 TAB Top Gun Stayers event at The Meadows on Saturday night, it was an upset victory for NSW stayer Blue Moon Rising, with promising Chaser Just Terms completing a NSW quinella.

The John Finn-trained Blue Moon Rising, a close second in the Sydney Cup over the TAB Million Dollar Chase carnival last month, jumped moderately, and was fourth at the first turn, behind leader Rajasthan, smart Queenslander Bago Bye Bye, and the enigmatic local superstar Tornado Tears.

Heading out of the home straight the first time, Blue Moon Rising went for an rails’ run inside Tornado Tears and was badly chopped out, looking like his winning chances disappeared right there.

But there was plenty of trouble and drama still to unfold.

The three in front of him appeared to have the race between then heading to the top turn, Bago Bye Bye moved around Rajasthan, just as Tornado Tears went inside the leader. The trio jammed up, and Blue Moon Rising swooped around the outside, took the lead and raced away swinging for home.

Just Tears, having followed Blue Moon Rising around the leaders, then made a late charge but couldn’t quite grab the leader.

Boom Down, who won that Sydney Cup on October 18, ran home for third, with Tornado Tears getting going again to finish four, the winner posting 42.77s for the journey.

The win is a second Group 1 success for Blue Moon Rising who took out the Fanta Bale Stayers Final at The Meadows earlier this year.

In the night’s other feature the $150,00 to the winner Topgun Sprint, again there was major drama, this time on the first turn, when six of the eight runners were checked to varying degrees.

The two slowest out of the boxes, Get It Gizmo and Feral Franky, missed most of the trouble and railed through into first and second.

Get It Gizmo – who was third in the Million Dollar Chase when prepared by Hunter Valley trainer Jason Mackay – was able to open up a handy lead when Feral Franky was checked by Whiskey Riot turning into the back, and held off that pair to win in 30.08s, finishing two and half lengths ahead of The Feral.

Fourth and a great run after a severe first turn check, was Million Dollar Chase winner and fellow NSW greyhound, Good Odds Harada.