'I couldn't have expected this in a million years' - Racing Blogger blown away by reaction after taking Melbourne by storm

Social media star Stephen Power has admitted to being overwhelmed by the hugely positive response to his work during a trip to Melbourne in which he has been enthusiastically embraced by Australian racing fans, punters and professionals.

Power, whose Racing Blogger X account has over 223,000 followers, has been a massive success while enjoying the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate carnivals as a guest of governing body Racing Victoria.

A flurry of videos at racecourses and elsewhere, including with leading racing figures such as Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller and James McDonald, have made Power a household name, much to his own surprise.

"I couldn't have expected this in a million years," said Power.

• WATCH: The Front Page - what’s your take on 'Racing Blogger' Stephen Power?

"I came over with the intention of just being 'Bloggsy', regardless of whether they hated or loved me. I was always going to do the same content I do in Britain, Ireland and all over the world. I just wanted to be me but after only three days of being here people seemed to be genuinely over the moon. I've been overwhelmed. They almost seemed shocked someone could do what I've been doing."

Power added: "I've always tried to be positive but it has been tough for me back home. I feel like I've been pigeon-holed as a dog left in a kennel. It's like I've been locked up, with the keys thrown away.

"At times that has made me feel isolated and lonely. I've had some dark battles in British and Irish racing, so coming here has felt like a breath of fresh air. I live and breathe the sport and what I do seems to have gone down a storm here."

Former trainer Simon Morrish was responsible for recommending Power to Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison after meeting the vlogger in Deauville this year.

"I told Aaron he would reach areas they couldn't get to, which is what has happened," said Morrish. 

"He's very relatable to the demographic the sport is trying to target, people aged between 18 and 40 who want to party, drink and bet. He's hitting the target with those people. They relate to him because he loves a bet, a beer and a party. When people see him, they all start shouting out, 'Hey, Bloggsy!' People have been asking for selfies all the time.

"He also knows his horses and does his homework. After Gai Waterhouse invited him to go on a trip with her in her helicopter, he did two and a half hours of homework that night."

'Racing Blogger' Stephen Power has gone down a storm during his time in MelbourneCredit: racingpost.com/photos

Power has received numerous invitations during his time in Melbourne and on Monday heads to New Zealand for another work trip.

He said: "I've learned in this game to never count your chickens, and it has been a tough ten years, but we've been well received Down Under. They're calling me Bloggsy Dundee! Long may it continue."

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