Sydney Cup Fav Proving A ‘Gem' For Finn

IF Blue Moon Rising shows half the fight and determination currently being displayed by his trainer John Finn, punters can expect him to come out on top in Friday night's Group 1 Sydney Cup Final (720m) at Wentworth Park.

In recent months, 77 year-old Finn has been confined to a hospital bed after suffering a life threatening triple bypass.

"A CT scan showed he'd suffered a stroke after that which left a lot of swelling around the brain," explained John's wife Melinda.

"The word from the doctors a few weeks back was that it didn't look good but we'd just have to wait and see how John responded as the swelling went down. But there wasn't much the doctors could do, it was all up to him.

"He's definitely a fighter John … he's breathing by himself now and is slowly improving. He still can't walk but we'll know more in the next few weeks – there's still a long way to go."

Finn was reduced to tears watching Blue Moon Rising storm away with his Sydney Cup heat at Wentworth Park last Friday night, setting the time standard for this week's final with a 7 ¼ length 41.65 victory.

"My son took the ipad into the hospital on Friday so John could watch the race … he had a tear in his eye when Blue Moon Rising won," Melinda added.

From the famed Fernando Bale x Chica Destacada litter, the quartet winning over 100 races and $1.1 million in prize money, Blue Moon Rising will exit box one as favourite for Friday night's $100,000 to-the-winner final, chasing a second group 1 victory.

"He's one of the best chasers we've had – just gives his all every start," Melinda added.

"He's drawn the right box so if he holds the lead you'd think he'll be very hard to beat … he's ready to go.

"With (9) Gem broadcasting the big races John will be able to watch it on television in hospital. There'll definitely be a big cheer squad for him at Nepean Hospital. Fingers crossed he can get home."