Strike Team defies the odds

Strike Team (Mach Three) defied all odds when he survived not one but two colic surgeries, but a bowed tendon ultimately saw the well performed then five-year-old head to the paddock and this Friday he makes his return for harness racing trainer/driver Aiden De Campo in the Remembering Brodie Kane Young Pace (Race 3) over the 1730m trip at 5.48pm.

“I’m happy with him, he’s obviously first up for 18 months, he will need a few runs to get to his top, he’s quite a gross horse, but he seems to have come back good.”

“He showed a lot of potential, so hopefully all of his injuries and that are in his past.”

Owner and breeder Mike Howie did the majority of his rehab work before sending him to De Campo who’s had the gelding for just shy of four weeks to progress with his training, but so far everything is going to plan.

With a hard draw over the mile this week, Stike Team starts from barrier seven and De Campo isn’t expecting a whole lot from the rising seven-year-old gelding.

“I think he’s up to it in ability and work of late, but it’s a difficult draw.”

“Things would have to go his way (for the win).” Aiden De Campo said.

Strike Team is a half brother to The Miki Taker, who was also retained by Mike Howie after a storm the night before the yearling sales saw the then youngster injure himself, forcing Howie to withdraw him from the Sales, a twist of fate that’s proven very fruitful for his connections.

Strike Team is the first foal out of Topless Beach Girl who has been a good broodmare for the Howie family, with three named foals currently, all winners on the track.

“He was going good when I sent him back to Aiden a few weeks back and he’s just tuned him up with his good ones,

“He would be one of my favourite horses, when you spend $12,000 on colic surgery and then four weeks later you have to do it again,

“With what we’ve been through with him, he will have a home for life with us.”

Hopeful he will now go through the grades, Howie mentioned he lacks nothing in ability, but he’s still got some work to do to catch up to his half-brother, The Miki Taker.

“No doubt Strike Team, if he stays sound, will make it to fast class, he’s a nice tough horse.”

De Campo is still in the process of relocating to his new property in Hopelands, with hopes to be up and running from the new establishment at the end September.

“I’m just waiting for my tracks to be built, but everything else is pretty much done.”

Fluctuating between 25 to 40 in work at any time, De Campo currently has a team of 31 in work, with the ideal number of 40 horses in training his aim when he moves.

Two of De Campo’s staff have committed to the move with the stable, and De Campo is hopeful that his family will sell up in Capel and make the move as well.

“I reckon Dad will eventually sell his place and move up,

“It’s a great set up.”

De Campo heads to Gloucester Park with five horses in tow, with Menemsha looking his best hope, drawing barrier one in the Open 3YO event, looking the likely favourite in the eight-horse field.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA