Lieutenant salute is Campbell’s favourite

HALL of Fame trainer Barry Campbell dominated the meeting in Devonport on Sunday, preparing four winners that included his highlypromising sprinter Julius.

But while Julius made an impression by blitzing a quality field in a benchmark 76 handicap over 1150m, it was his gawky two-year-old Lieutenant Lewis having his first start that had the wily trainer walking on air.

Lieutenant Lewis was sent out a $6 chance in a fourhorse field and settled second behind race leader Star Note, while the odds-on favourite Muscle Up ($1.90) raced last on the rail inside of the outsider Cora the Explorer ($10).

When the rider eased the favourite three-wide to challenge he looked certain to claim the main prize, but Lieutenant Lewis put in the big bounds late to score an impressive win.

Lieutenant Lewis (Zululand-Vivacious) was bred by the trainer’s daughter Jess Campbell and when he returned to the unsaddling enclosure with Codi Jordan aboard, the trainer had a smile from ear to ear.

“He still doesn’t know what he’s doing, but he can gallop,” Campbell said.

“I’ll tip him out for a spell because he still has a bit of growing to do and he’s already a big unit. If he progresses as I hope, he could have a bright future.”

Julius made it three wins in succession when he defied a wide barrier (10) to cross into the lead. When rider Anthony Darmanin asked for an effort at the top of the straight, the Time for War gelding left his rivals in his wake, going on to score by over three lengths, from Lesnar and Dark Intruder.

“I think he (Julius) is a real good horse because he’s continued to improve at every run this time in and he has a history of issues that kept him off the scene for quite a while,” Campbell said.

“We’ve persevered and looked after him and now we are going to reap the rewards.

“I’m not sure where we go from here, but I’ll make that decision after I see how he comes through this run.

“I see him as a potential Newmarket horse and maybe the shorter weight-for-age races around Christmas and New Year.”

Darmanin was thrilled with the gelding’s effort.

“I wasn’t worried about the wide barrier at all, and we were able to go forward and find the lead and he dictated the race,” Darmanin said.

“I think today he proved beyond doubt he is a very serious horse.”

It was one of three wins for Darmanin, who also teamed up with Campbell’s mare Zeva Royale, which made it two wins in succession in the Carlton Draught Class 1 handicap over 1350m, and he ended the day with an all-theway win aboard the Brad Franklin-trained Tidal

Campbell’s other winner was Fife and Drum, which rattled home with Dravid Pires aboard to win the Kevin Sharkie Maiden over 1350m.

Fife and Drum was sent to Campbell about three months ago, to give the gelding a change of environment and it obviously worked.