Wolf Chases Gold in Memory of ‘Moorey’

The spirit of popular publican and racing identity Dave Moore will be riding with grand old galloper Bullion Wolf when he makes an emotional return to racing at Cluden Park tomorrow. 

Bullion Wolf, who was part owned by ‘Moorey’, resumes in the race named in memory of his much-loved owner who passed away earlier this month.

Moore’s son Matt said family, friends and co-owners would be at Cluden to cheer on Bullion Wolf in the Dave Moore Memorial Open Hcp (1400m).

“We’ll all be there for dad. Hopefully Bullion Wolf can run really well for him,” he said. 

“Racing was a big part of dad’s life. He had horses back over the years to when he was at the Oonoonba (Hotel) with Bevo (Brian Bevan).

“They had a syndicate called the Magnificent Seven. I can’t remember all of them but they had a few very good ones including Roseneath Jester and Maggee’s Dancer who won a Cleveland Bay Hcp (2001).

“Bullion Wolf has been a good horse for us too and it should be a big day.”

Bullion Wolf hasn’t started since his brilliant run of form at the far north annuals where he finished third in the Cairns Newmarket and the Cup before claiming the $150,000 Amateur Cup.

The Cup winner’s rug is proudly on display in the Moores’ Enterprise Hotel in Charters Towers.

And Wulguru trainer Les Gordy is confident eight-year-old Bullion Wolf can add to his impressive record despite his rising years.

Gordy has engaged in-form Rockhampton apprentice Tahlia Fenlon to reduce Bullion Wolf’s weight from 62kg to 59kg for tomorrow’s first up assignment.

“I’m very happy with him and pretty optimistic about his chances. He’s come up much better this time-in after all the dramas we had with him last prep,” Gordy said.

“We had terrible trouble with him when he came out of the paddock last year and it took a long time to get him right.

“This time he’s fitter than he’s ever been and he’ll go well first up. It would be terrific if he could get up for Dave’s family and all the owners. 

“He’s got the high rating and big weights now which make it hard and that’s why we’ve gone with the claimer.

“Depending on how he goes I’m hoping to send him to Kelly Schweida in Brisbane for a few runs and then bring him back for the annual carnivals up here.

“At his age we might not get another chance but I’ll see how he goes Tuesday and then have discussion with the ownership group and we’ll go from there.”

Bullion Wolf was a cheap buy for his connections after a failed campaign in Darwin.

But earlier in his career in South Australia he was being aimed at the very top.

A half-brother to Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss, Bullion Wolf won his first two starts in Adelaide before running fifth in a Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield behind Flying Artie and second in the South Australia Magic Millions 2yo.

Under Gordy’s care Bullion Wolf has won 10 races from 1000m to 2100m and earned almost $250,000 in the north.

Gordy’s faith in the gelding to get a mile and further paid off when he won the $50,000 Coral Coast Cup (1609m) at Cluden in November 2020, before going on to claim the Cairns Amateur Cup over 2100m in the Winter.

Pictured: Bullion Wolf winning the Coral Coast Cup on 28 November, 2020. 

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