Bluey Delivers Millars Breakthrough Group Win

TERRY Millar and his family refused to contact their trainer John Thomas in the week leading up to Wednesday's Group 3 Taree Cup final (537m) for fear something may have gone wrong with the dog's preparation for the race.

They need not have worried.

Reel ‘Em Bluey (Worm Burner-Mini Cousin) got all the first turn luck and sped away to win the Cup by seven-and-a-half lengths as a $3.60 second favourite over $71 longshot Robell Magic with $5 chance Hurricane's Fury in third, three lengths back.

“I did not hear from them all week,” said trainer John Thomas. “But, this morning I sent them a text saying everything was fine with the dog and I'd see them at the track.”

It was the first Group finalist and then first Group winner for the family who were out in masses to celebrate the victory.

“Our daughter Chantel got a Reel ‘Em Bluey t-shirt made for everyone in the family and we all wore them with pride,” said Terry.

The pressure was on John Thomas and Reel 'em Bluey today, with fans in Reel 'em Bluey shirts – and they delivered, taking out the first group race run at Taree – the G3 Taree Cup!

Results: https://t.co/jHjOJo7HbP

#thedogs #greyhoundracing #greyhounds #tareecup pic.twitter.com/XUERJK8IKa

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) April 19, 2023

Terry admitted the Worm Burner-Mini Cousin litter is one of the first he and his family have bred, but at $3000 he could not sell any.

“The mother, Mini Cousin, was given to us by Brad Northfield and she is a mixture of all Brad's good lines,” said Terry.

“We trained her to win her first race start at Kempsey by seven and a half lengths, but she was a barker and we gave her to Karl Miller to train. He won 20 races with her.

“We had to breed a litter with her.”

Terry prepared Reel ‘Em Bluey until late in February.

“We would get him checked over by Johnny Thomas and asked him if he would take over the training of the dog,” said Terry.

“We thought he might be able to find a little extra in him.”

The Taree Cup series is the first two starts Reel ‘Em Bluey has had for Thomas who earlier in the year won the G3 Casino Cup with Take Two.

 

Thomas was ecstatic with the victory.

“It is good because of the owners,” said John.

“To see all their faces after he won … well that is something.”

Thomas said he would turn to next month's Grafton Cup next with Reel ‘Em Bluey.

“He's got another fifth grade at Wenty to win, but I did a bit of work at Grafton with him when I got him, so the Cup there will be next,” he said.

Terry Millar admitted work commitments also played a huge part in asking Thomas to take over the dog.

“I work for Akubra Hats and start at seven every morning,” he said. “I was getting up pretty early to get the dogs done and get to work.”

Mini Cousin has a second litter, five now seven month old by Flying Ricciardo.

“We've been in dogs for a while now and have always had a couple who could win races for us,” said Terry.

“Everyone was here today to see him win. It's a huge thrill.”