De Campo’s Group 1 feature race haul continues

Having been on a Group 1 feature race haul West Australian trainer Aiden De Campo now has his sights set on harness racing’s $125,000 Golden Slipper.

The two-year-old Group 1 will be held at Gloucester Park on July 9 and that track has been a happy hunting ground for De Campo of late.

Just last night the 29-year-old won another Group 1 at that venue when claiming the $100,000 Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Westbred Classic with Rock On Top.

Despite racing “erratically” and stood down one trial, the son of A Rocknroll Dance produced a tough display posted outside the leader to secure his fourth win in eight starts. Watch the replay here.

“He’s a nice little horse but is a bit of a handful and still has a lot to learn,” said De Campo.

“He was very erratic and wasn’t tractable but that failure in tractability he definitely makes up in ability.

“I’ll aim him at the Golden Slipper in two weeks’ and then he will go to the paddock.”

Rock On Top was one of three starters De Campo had in the race.

It was in the $100,000 Pearl Classic a fortnight ago that De Campo trained the trifecta in the Group 1 with those same three horses with The Miki Taker winning, Floewriter in second and Rock On Top finishing third.

Meanwhile, De Campo walked away from Gloucester Park last night with a driving double after also guiding Shockwave to victory.

The five-year-old Mach Three gelding has now won his two starts this preparation and last night rated 1:54.0 after racing outside the leader. Watch the replay here.

“He felt as good as he’s ever felt,” claimed De Campo.

“He won quite softly in the end and has comeback better than ever.

“He had a bleed in the Fremantle Cup last preparation which they discovered was brought on by a virus and he doesn’t seem to have taken any ill affects from it.

“Connections have been wanting to travel with him for some time and will jump at the opportunity if they can pending what is happening with COVID at the time.

“The Victoria Cup is still on the cards at this stage.”

These wins gave De Campo 855 victories as a driver since his debut season in 2008/09.

As a trainer he has notched up 164 wins.

Meanwhile, Fly Like An Eagle filly Wonderful To Fly won the Two-Year-Old Fillies’ Westbred Classic last night for trainer-driver Shane Young.

It was her sixth win in 11 starts making her the most successful two-year-old in Australia so far this season. Watch the replay here.

by Amanda Rando for Harnesslink