Win turns fortunes around

Andrew Campbell admitted to a huge feeling of relief after Padraig turned the stable’s fortunes around.

The Cambridge trainer has endured a frustrating year with a virus affecting the majority of his runners.

“We’ve had a very bad run, it’s great to get the monkey off my back,” said Campbell.

He was referring to Padraig’s Tauranga success in the Seeka Premier Handicap (1600m) against the older horses.

“He won well, he was running out of his grade so it was a tough effort.”

Padraig, who won in Victoria during a stint with Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, had been beaten over 1200m when resuming, but a subsequent trial win provided Campbell with encouragement.

“He didn’t do much fresh-up and I was scratching my head, but I think he just needed more ground,” he said.

Padraig settled behind the pace and when rider Trudy Thornton asked him for an effort in the straight he was a willing companion to get the better of the pacemaker Waipipi Lad.

Meanwhile, stablemate Longchamp’s future is in doubt after disappointing in both runs this campaign.

“He’s fine, but he might have had enough,” said Campbell.

“His work has been good, he’s just not finishing off. I might give him one more on a looser track.

“He’s been a great horse to us with two Opunake Cups and he was Tavistock’s first winner. He’s been special so we’re going to look after him.”