Bunbury Cup 'special' for unwanted horse

From the horse that "nobody else wanted" to a six-time Gloucester Park winner, Smokey The Bandit has given Busselton trainer Michael Callegari an unexpected journey.

Another chapter could be written in the six-year-old grey gelding's racing career, which has already yielded more than $200,000 in prize money and 17 wins from 75 starts, when he runs in Saturday night's Bunbury Pacing Cup.

Callegari, who has less than 10 horses at his Busselton stable, described Smokey The Bandit, who is his only horse racing at the moment, as "the best horse I've ever had".

Bought for just $2000, the trainer and half-owner said the purchase was "fate" and he did not even dream of the success the horse had brought him.

"Nobody else wanted him, we put in a bid and got him," he said.

"There was nothing special about him other than being grey."

With Bunbury driver Ash Markham on board, the horse's last preparation earlier this year was highlighted by five wins and three second placings during a nine-race block.

Other highlights include a second-placing in the 2013 Golden Nugget and victory in the Nights of Thunder just a month later, which led to combined winnings of about $65,000.

Smokey The Bandit will go into Saturday's Cup, run over 2569m, sixth-up from a spell.

While those five races have only produced two placings, Callegari believes his horse is in good enough form to give the race a shake.

"We always planned to go in the Bunbury Cup," he said.

"He's been going good, it's harder now that he's gone up into a higher class.

"He's been unlucky in a few races but he's always been around the place and didn't get a run in his last start.

"Because we're local, it would be a pretty special race to win."

The Cup will be the highlight of an eight-race card to be held at Bunbury Trotting Club.

Last year's race was won by New Zealand horse Bettors Fire.