De Campo’s gem of a drive in Seaside Magic’s win

Aiden de Campo showed why he is regarded as one of the State’s best reinsman when he guided Seaside Magic (Downbytheseasside) to a perfectly timed burst to win the $50,000 Group 3 Team Bond 3YO Pearl Classic Final at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

In his Heat Seaside Magic led and appeared to have every chance but was clearly outpointed by Paint The Pallette however in the Final De Campo adopted different tactics to take the trail from his pole position.

The race was marred when second favourite Elite Stride who had shown dazzling speed to lead early broke up and went back through the field to be tailed off last. Seaside Magic was slightly inconvenienced when trying to avoid Elite Stride but he was able to get around him and take the trail behind I’m Massimo who took up the running in the scramble.

SEASIDE MAGIC MAY 23 REPLAY

Meanwhile favourite Belly Up caught three wide early and driver Deni Roberts had no option but to go back to the rear of the field.

I’m Massimo looked to be travelling well in the back straight but he was joined by Captain Stirling who had to race one off the fence. At this stage De Campo extricated Seaside Magic off the rails and he quickly gathered in the leader to record a comfortable win by just over three metres from a gallant Captain Stirling with Major Disco one of De Campo’s other two runners storming home for third.

Commenting on his decision to give up the lead De Campo stated:

“I do hand up when I think I should.”

“It was a good run. In the Heat he felt he was stargazing in front and I couldn’t find anything wrong with him. I was disappointed in the run.”

“He was travelling really good. I was more kind of seeing how Junior (Gary Hall on I’m Massimo) was travelling in front of me.”

“I thought he would kick away and we’d run home into second but half way down the back he looked like he was under the pump. I just popped off the rail, he hit a flat spot for about 50 metres. I had to get the plugs out but after that he got going and got the job done.”

Seaside Magic rated 1.57 for the 2130 metres and the bay gelding has now won three of his 11 appearances with four placings and just under $52,000 in prizemoney.

While he looks as if he will continue to improve with racing it is hard to see whether he or for that matter any other three year old can match Cyclone Jordy who at this stage must be a short priced favourite for the Group 1 $200,000 West Australia Derby on 31 October later this year.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink