Campbell back on familiar turf

MAURICE Campbell was back in familiar territory when Delmonico powered home to win at the Gold Coast this afternoon.
Delmonico is trained on the Gold Coast by Campbell’s wife Paula. The Campbells moved back to the Gold Coast earlier this year after being based in Brisbane.
Maurice trained at the Gold Coast for several seasons back from the mid-1990s after a successful career as a jockey in New Zealand. His riding career reached its zenith in the 1970s when he partnered the great NZ stayer Balmerino.
He also tasted Group One success as a trainer when based at the Gold Coast, taking Vita Man to Sydney in 1999 to win the Metropolitan Hcp at Randwick. Vita Man also won the Colin Stephens Hcp and Kingston Town Stakes at Group Three level in the lead-up to the Metrop.
“Vita Man was a very good horse to me and was raced by Bruce Dell and Michael Thompson, who also race this horse Delmonico,’’ said Campbell.
Delmonico today won his first race in eight starts in Queensland since arriving from New Zealand earlier this year. He had won a New Plymouth Maiden at his second start in a race in NZ last January.
“He’s been a bit unlucky recently,’’ said Campbell. “He should have won here at the Coast a couple of starts back, but missed the start by four lengths. He was only beat a length into second.’’
Sent out a $10 chance in today’s Kaye Tinsley Class 1 Hcp (1800m), Delmonico settled near the tail of the field but finished strongly for an impressive win. He raced clear to beat Peppseelon ($5.50) by 2-3/4 lengths with General Explorer ($3.50 eq fav) a long head away third.
 Story: Neil Archer
Photo: Trackside Photography Pty Ltd