Gobstopper sweet
Cambridge trainer Andrew Campbell will again derive great pleasure out of watching his former Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner Gobstopper chase Australian riches today.
The talented stayer turned jumper has been a revelation since switching vocation and is one of a number of Kiwi gallopers towards the top of the market in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown today.
Fellow New Zealand jumper Tallyho Twinkletoe will have to create a modern-day weight-carrying record if he is to record a second win in the Grand National Hurdle, lumped with a 73.5kg impost, 3kg more than Gobstopper, who chased him home into third last start.
Campbell retains a share in Gobstopper, having prepared him to win last year’s Brendan Drechsler Hurdle (3500m) before failing in the Grand National Hurdle and subsequently leaving him with Victorian jumps trainer Eric Musgrove.
The son of Tavistock has won three feature hurdles this winter, with wins in the Galleywood Hurdle
(3200m), Australian Hurdle (3900m) and Kevin Lafferty Hurdle (3200m).
“Eric seems happy enough with him and he ran well last start,” Campbell said.
“It was a good field and he went a nice race but his main aim all along has been the Grand National.
“I’m hoping there’s a little bit of petrol left in the tank. He was new at the game this time last year when he failed in the Grand National and
he has some ringcraft now so it will be interesting to see how he goes.”
Gobstopper has won $500,000 in career prizemoney and Campbell’s decision to leave the horse across the Tasman would be further vindicated should he land the lion’s share of the A$250,000 purse today.
“I got bagged for leaving him there but it’s the best thing we ever did,” Campbell said. “He has won three $100,000 races.” — NZ Racing Desk