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Hall of Fame trainer Barry Campbell plays a dominant hand in Wednesday night’s $150,000 Jacksons Security Newmarket Handicap over 1200 metres with four of his sprinters set to contest the state’s most prestigious sprint.
Barry Campbell saddles up Tasmania's horse of the year two seasons back Newhart, Julius his rising star sprinter, Le Cadeau and Alpine Wolf that appears to have returned from a blood disorder better than ever given recent trial performances.
His quartet represents almost 30 per cent of the field of 14 and in most years any one of his candidates would vie for favouritism but so deep is this year's event that the shortest price being offered for one of Campbell's mob is $9.50 about Newhart that is first-up from a five-month spell and he has had only one start for a fifth in June since being diagnosed with bone chips in a knee over a year ago.
"I had to give hm a run back in June to see how his leg stood up and it was fine and he's had two trials going to the Newmarket and both have been excellent," Campbell said.
Julius arrived last preparation to deliver outstanding performances in graded sprints on all tracks up until August when he was sent for a spell but after two trials, he was sent out one of the favourites in the Goodwood handicap but finished last of 13.
But jockey Mehmet Ulucinar said the gelding was all at sea on the shifting surface.
He contested a trial on his home track in Devonport last week but was beaten by Alpine Wolf with Newhart a close-up third.
"I didn't know what to make of the trial at Devonport, but he ate up and has been fine since so we'll just have to wait and see.
"Newhart is a class horse and can never be left out of a race like this even though his best has been over longer trips and Le Cadeau deserves his place in the race because his 1200m form is outstanding.
"Alpine Wolf has had his share of issues that have been well documented, but this is the first prep that he's been great in the coat and his bloodwork has come back spot-on each time, but this is a race that could all come down to the one that gets the best run in the race will win."
