Bunbury trainer Peter Giadresco loves nothing more than a challenge-and he has certainly found that with seasoned eight-year-old gelding, Kaptain Kaos.
A son of Demerit, Kaptain Kaos has been around the block a few times and displayed his best form under the direction of former trainer, Michael Grantham.
Kaptain Kaos struck it rich when he claimed his first major victory in the 2021 Listed Northam Cup (1600m), a breakthrough moment that marked his arrival on the big stage.
Eight months later he went on to reach Group 3 level, delivering a career-best performance to win the Hyperion Stakes (1600m), upsetting hot favourite, God Has Chosen.
Following an interstate campaign in Melbourne that netted no wins, Giadresco took a punt, purchasing him for $40,000, but unfortunately the results haven’t gone his way.
Underwhelming performances in 10 starts had Giadresco seriously thinking about throwing in the towel, but a spark last-start in the Jockey Celebration Day Stakes (1400m) at Pinjarra revived hopes.
Showing big signs of improvement, Kaptain Kaos finished a strong third behind Sensessional, beaten 1.6 lengths, his best effort since joining Giadresco’s stable.
Giadresco hopes it’s a sign of better things to come-commencing as soon as Saturday when Kaptain Kaos goes up against six rivals in the Blue Spec Stakes (1600m) at Belmont.
“He was almost headed for retirement but he showed me something last-start,” Giadresco said to 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 ridden by Troy Turner.
Giadresco has been to the top of the mountain as a trainer, having prepared a Group 1 winner: Early Express in the 2005 Fruit ‘N’ Veg Stakes (1800m), renamed the Northerly Stakes.
In recent years he has scaled back his operation significantly, his stable now consists of Kaptain Kaos, a project horse he’s been working on patiently and Speak To Me.
Tabtouch has Kaptain Kaos at $15 for the Blue Spec Stakes.
Sensessional is all the rage at $1.85.
