Bunbury horseman Peter Giadresco relishes a challenge, and none has been bigger lately than seasoned campaigner Kaptain Kaos.

The son of Demerit first rose to prominence under the care of Michael Grantham, capturing the 2021 Listed Northam Cup (1600m) in a breakthrough performance.

Eight months on, he delivered a career highlight in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m), defeating hot favourite God Has Chosen.

After an unproductive Melbourne stint, Giadresco bought him for $40,000, but 10 starts without success tested the trainer’s patience. A recent third in the Jockey Celebration Day Stakes (1400m) at Pinjarra — just 1.6 lengths behind Sensessional — has reignited optimism.

Giadresco hopes that effort sparks a turnaround as Kaptain Kaos lines up in Saturday’s Blue Spec Stakes (1600m) at Belmont.

“He was almost headed for retirement but he showed me something last-start,” Giadresco told 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.”

Barrier four awaits him, with Troy Turner in the saddle. Giadresco, who prepared Group 1 winner Early Express in the 2005 Fruit ‘N’ Veg Stakes (now the Northerly Stakes), now runs a smaller team centred on Kaptain Kaos and Speak To Me.

Tabtouch has him at $15 for the Blue Spec Stakes, with Sensessional favourite at $1.85.

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