Stakes performer Campaldino has struggled to produce his best form this spring, but his trainers remain committed to guiding him back to peak performance. The gelding is set to contest the Sydney Gold Cup at Randwick.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott has implemented changes to Campaldino’s routine, including removing the blinkers, in the hope of eliciting a more competitive display on Saturday. The 2025 Brisbane Cup winner has a Listed victory over Juja Kibo, a Metropolitan and Moonee Valley Cup winner, to his name from the autumn. However, he has failed to place in four starts this campaign, most recently finishing unplaced in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 10.
“He was very consistent at that point (in the autumn), and he hasn’t brought that consistency this ‘prep’, so just trying to rejuvenate that, that’s the challenge,” Bott stated. “We’ve tried to freshen him up and reset. We took the blinkers off, and we’ve changed a few things around with him the last few weeks.”
Bott added, “That said, it’s probably not the best set-up for him coming back to 2000, but it does lead him into a nice race in a few weeks’ time where he should be most effective.” That target race is The Beauford (2300m) at Newcastle on November 14. Nevertheless, Bott is eager to witness a positive run on Saturday and holds quiet optimism about the gelding’s chances.
While the stable will field two Group 1 runners at Flemington – Cold Shower in the Victoria Derby (2500m) and Surfin’ Bird in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) – Metallic Cat will be their sole Sydney contender in the E Security Group Handicap (1300m) and is considered a strong chance.
Following a narrow defeat in a photo finish first-up, the mare was beaten as the favourite last start. Bott suspects she might have been affected by ‘second-up syndrome’. “Whether she just bounced off that tough first-up run because she wasn’t as effective as she could have been and raced a bit flat,” Bott mused. “She looks really well within herself and she’s doing a good job.” Tim Clark is scheduled to ride both Tulloch Lodge horses at Randwick.
For those keen to get involved, explore the latest Australian betting sites for competitive racing odds.