De Campo’s classic drive the winning factor

Harness racing patrons were treated to a master class tactical drive by Aiden De Campo when he guided Patched (Skyvalley) to an exciting win in the $50,000  Group 2 Gloucester Park Trotters Cup at Perth’s premier venue last night.

Starting co backmarker from 30 metres Patched commenced well and not long after the start, secured a decent trail one out. However De Campo made his move with one and a half laps to travel and he moved up alongside leader Uptown Lad.

Favourite Sunny’s Little Rose stepped cleanly with Gary Hall Junior taking a trail behind the leader. Patched always looked like he had the measure of the leader in the final lap but De Campo instead of going for home seemed more intent on keeping Sunny’s Little Rose pocketed.

Nicky’s Son was making a run out wide and all the way down the home straight Sunny’s Little Rose was trying to secure a clear run. However Patched was driven out in the final stages and he held off Nicky’s Son and Sunny’s Little Rose who looked desperately unlucky in third place.

PATCHED REPLAY

De Campo reflected on the event.

“He begins really quick from the stand this guy and he’s a pretty good trotter. There was a fair bit going on and I just kind of found that moving line and just kept punching through.”

“We got through to a great position early and the horse in the breeze wasn’t quite taking us there. I was happy to pop around and the leader got a bit keen but to this horse’s credit he was good enough on the night.”

“I had Chris (Lewis) on my back and Junior (Gary Hall on the leader’s back so from there onwards was just kind of concentrating on these although Line The Starzz gave us a bit of a fright around the corner but held him in and got us the job done in the end.”

“This was one of his better runs for a while. Trainer David Young was pretty confident he was back on the right track. He’s probably not one of those horses that likes to do the work like that but I think his class showed through tonight.”

Patched has a great record in the Trotters Cup. He won the event in 2023 from the 20 metre mark and last year finished a gallant third from the formidable 40 metre barrier. The eight year old gelding was prepared by Victorian trainer Alison Alford early in his career but has now a winning record of 22 races for just under $270,000 in prize money.

Therefore last night’s win was especially significant and will be remembered as one of the finest winning drives in a class feature.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink