Hoop Grant Buckley hoping to orchestrate Moruya Cup victory on O’Reilly’s Revenge for trainer

TOP jockey Grant Buckley concedes it will be emotionally satisfying if he can guide O’Reilly’s Revenge to success in the $30,000 Moruya Cup (1650m) on Monday.

Jockey Grant Buckley during Randwick Races. pic Jenny Evans

TOP jockey Grant Buckley concedes it will be emotionally satisfying if he can guide O’Reilly’s Revenge to success in the $30,000 Moruya Cup (1650m) on Monday.

O’Reilly’s Revenge is trained by Bede Murray, a legendary NSW racing identity who has been suffering poor health in recent weeks.

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Buckley has had a long and successful association with the Murray stable and all his five rides at Moruya today are for the trainer.

“Bede has been a great supporter of mine for many years,’’ Buckley said.

“He is so well respected by me and everyone in racing — I would just like to wish him the best with his health problems.

“To be honest, I’d like nothing more than to win the Cup on O’Reilly’s Revenge for Bede.’’

O’Reilly’s Revenge does look one of the hardest to beat in today’s feature race after a string of consistent efforts in stronger grade.

Trainer Bede Murray. Pic: Jenny Evans

He ran third at Doomben back in late November and has since been freshened since a close fourth to Get On The Grange at Canterbury nearly a month ago.

“The horse has really good form leading into this race,’’ Buckley continued.

“He hasn’t finished far away form some nice horses in his recent starts and I’m sure Bede has freshened him up nicely for the (Moruya) Cup. This does looks a great race for him.’’

Buckley’s other rides all look winning chances at Moruya including the consistent Fastnet Flyer (race 4) and Count Dekroner (race 5).

Fastnet Flyer doesn’t win often — two wins from 28 starts — but he is never far away in this grade and Murray seems to have found the right race for him today.

Count Dekroner is in top form with two wins at Wagga Wagga in his last four starts, plus placings at Kembla Grange and Nowra.

Buckley’s other rides are Grizabella (race 1) and War Prodigy (race 8).