“He’ll probably have to run a track record to win,” they are the thoughts of trainer Barry Campbell when assessing the chances of his star galloper Alpine Wolf who resumes in what is a hot field for a midwinter handicap in Devonport on Sunday.
Alpine Wolf holds the current track record, clocking 58.17 seconds for the 1009m when resuming in this race 12 months ago, and Campbell thinks he may have to repeat that effort if he is to beat what is a cracking field.
That was the last of his five wins from 21 starts. His form tapered off after that first-up effort but Campbell thinks he is well prepared to run well on Sunday.
“He seems really good; he’s had a nice prep, nothing has gone wrong, he hasn’t missed a day’s work, his gallops have been really good, and the signs are good,” Campbell said.
“On the track and distance, he’s three from three. He’s really good fresh. He will race handy and finish off, you would think. He likes the synthetic, and he likes being fresh, so we are hoping.
“He will only have three runs. There’s a race for him in Hobart in three weeks over 1200m. A fortnight after that there’s a 1400m, and he’ll go the paddock after that.
Veteran jockey Kelvin Sanderson will have his first ride on Alpine Wolf in Sunday’s race.
Campbell will take a two-pronged attack into the Open Hcp with promising mare Aruma resuming. A winner of five of her 11 starts. The 3YO filly has drawn gate one and will be ridden by Craig Newitt.
“Adam’s horse (Seydoux) is absolutely flying; you’ve got the Turk (Turk Warrior) in it, Tony Nicconi. It’s a really good field probably should be a summer field, not winter.”
Campbell has seven horses entered for the meeting including a couple of emergencies. Lightly raced Ensign Eagle will be one of the favourites in the 1150m maiden coming off a close second at his third race start two weeks ago.
“His run the other day was good; he lays in fairly bad, that’s just a habit he’s got, a stride less and he wins, and I think the winner (Rubick’s Affair) is a nice horse.”
Campbell will also saddle up Carneros in the 1880m BM68. The 5YO is jumping from 1350m last start four weeks ago but has had an easy trial since.
“He’s honest and does his best. He’s got a bit of weight but he likes Devonport. When he won two starts ago he beat a nice field, he was good that day, I don’t think the distance will worry him, and the synthetic won’t worry him.”
There are some very good races on the nine-race card for a winter meeting. My best bet is Geegees Legacy in race 2, a sound effort when resuming two weeks ago and deserves to chalk up a win. I also like Barmaid Girl at odds in race 6. She had excuses last start from a wide draw and has since trialled well behind Turk Warrior.
The first race is set for 11.39. Jacob Bevis will be trackside, and all the action will be live on TasracingTV.
