Campaldino, a horse with previous stakes success, has not been performing at his peak this spring. However, his trainers are optimistic about coaxing him back into winning form, with the Sydney Gold Cup at Randwick now on the radar.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott has introduced modifications to Campaldino’s training regimen, including the removal of blinkers. The aim is to achieve a more competitive performance this Saturday. The gelding, who triumphed in the 2025 Brisbane Cup, also boasts a Listed win in the autumn against Juja Kibo, a horse that has previously won the Metropolitan and Moonee Valley Cups. Despite these credentials, Campaldino has been unplaced in all four starts this preparation, most recently finishing poorly 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 further commented, “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.” The intended target race is The Beauford (2300m) at Newcastle on November 14. However, Bott is keen to see a positive run this Saturday and harbours quiet optimism.
The stable’s other runners include two Group 1 hopefuls at Flemington: Cold Shower in the Victoria Derby (2500m) and Surfin’ Bird in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). Metallic Cat is the stable’s sole representative in Sydney, contesting the E Security Group Handicap (1300m), and is expected to be a strong contender.
Reflecting on Metallic Cat’s recent form, Bott noted that after a close second-up finish, she was beaten as the favourite last start, suggesting she might have experienced ‘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 will ride both Tulloch Lodge entries at Randwick.
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