Bunbury trainer Peter Giadresco thrives on a challenge, and he has certainly found one in seasoned eight-year-old Kaptain Kaos.
The son of Demerit first made his mark under former trainer Michael Grantham, claiming the 2021 Listed Northam Cup (1600m) in a breakthrough performance that announced his arrival on the big stage.
Eight months later, Kaptain Kaos stepped up to Group 3 level to win the Hyperion Stakes (1600m), upsetting hot favourite God Has Chosen in a career-best display.
After an unproductive stint in Melbourne, Giadresco purchased him for $40,000. However, the results were slow to come, with 10 starts producing little to cheer about—until a resurgence in the Jockey Celebration Day Stakes (1400m) at Pinjarra. There, Kaptain Kaos ran a strong third behind Sensessional, just 1.6 lengths from the winner, his best showing since joining the stable.
Giadresco hopes that performance signals a return to form ahead of Saturday’s Blue Spec Stakes (1600m) at Belmont.
“He was almost headed for retirement but he showed me something last-start,” Giadresco told Racing WA. “He was showing good signs working at home, but wasn’t bringing it to the race track. That last run showed me he is trying again, he ran the fastest last 600m and wasn’t far from the winner. If the race was a bit further who knows what might have happened. We knew the horse used to be able to run and I knew I had him well, but he’s starting to try. He’s not going to be too far away and if he gets up, it won’t be a major shock. I think he’s getting close and it wouldn’t surprise me if he can win again.”
Kaptain Kaos has drawn barrier four and will be partnered by jockey Troy Turner. Giadresco, who once trained Group 1 winner Early Express in the 2005 Fruit ‘N’ Veg Stakes (now the Northerly Stakes), has since scaled back his operation and now focuses on just a few horses, including Kaptain Kaos and Speak To Me.
Current markets have Kaptain Kaos at $15 for the Blue Spec Stakes, with Sensessional the short-priced favourite at $1.85.
If you’re looking to have a wager on the Blue Spec Stakes, check out Australia’s most trusted betting sites for the latest odds and offers.
