2014 TAB Melbourne Cup finalist Luca Neveelk has been voted October’s People’s Choice for Most Popular Greyhound after winning 50 per cent of votes.

The blue sprinter received a nomination for winning the SITA Geelong Cup last month.

“I think the fact he’s trained by a little guy from country Victoria is one reason he’s quite popular,” said owner Paul Kleeven, son of trainer Gerry Kleeven.

“And another reason is that he is trained in Gippsland, and Gippsland boasts a strong band of sports minded people who are fairly parochial.”

“You look at Gippsland greyhounds in recent years like El Grand Senor and Cintiarna, they all had a strong following, so I’m not surprised Luca Neveelk did well in voting.”

Paul said he is quietly confident about Luca Neveelk’s Melbourne Cup chances on Friday night despite the fact he is rated a $16 chance with TAB fixed odds.

“He’s as quick as any other greyhound in the race and at 36kg he has several kilograms on a lot of the other greyhounds. I think he’ll go well,” Kleeven said.

Congratulations to Mel Weeda, Chelsea Kleeven, Robert Wills, Stephen McPhee and Michelle Jones, who each receive a double movie pass simply by voting in the People’s Choice Greyhound of the Month.