Tasmanian Hall of Fame trainer Barry Campbell has a stranglehold on the Tasmanian Wakeful Club 2YO Autumn Classic at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart on Sunday with his stable star Admiral and quiet achiever Calavera set to battle for supremacy in what is the penultimate feature juvenile race of the season.
Admiral is the clear favourite to be named 2YO of the year following wins in the $100,000 Elwick Stakes and $100,000 Gold Sovereign Stakes as well as the prestigious Alfa Bowl.
Calavera has taken all before him winning a maiden at his first run back this time in and he followed up with two more impressive victories in Hobart, the latest in the $30,000 Autumn Plate over 1100 metres.
All things being equal and provided there is no heavy rain leading up to race day Admiral should extend his winning run and prove too strong for his stablemate and most others in the small field of six.
Should the rain eventuate and the track deteriorates to anything worse than a slow 6 then Calavera becomes a serious contender.
Geegees Goldengirl finished second to Admiral in the Elwick Stakes in her first preparation and she was freshened up for a tilt at the last three feature races of the season that culminates in the $50,000 Sires Produce Stakes over 1400 metres in Launceston.
The Stuart Gandy-trained filly was second to Calavera in the Autumn Plate over 1100m two weeks ago and is a likely improver at the 1200-metre trip.
Flying Flo Jo is again likely to lead the field and she is not without a chance but Admiral would have to have a bad day to finish behind that filly.
Campbell also will saddle up his star mare Arenzano in the $20,000 Fillies and Mares Open handicap over 1200 metres.
Arenzano was awesome in wining first-up in Hobart two weeks ago defeating archrival Isibaeva that capped her season with a brilliant win in the $150,000 Group 3 Bow Mistress in Hobart in February.
Isibaeva ran home strongly for second to Arenzano two weeks ago and she will take great benefit from that run and she will appreciate stepping up to the 1200m.
It would be a surprise if this duo did not fight out the finish.
Tasmania’s favourite galloper Geegees Blackflash will tackle the National Jockeys Trust Open handicap over 2100 metres in which he was allotted top weight of 68 kilograms with apprentice Hayley McCarthy to reduce that impost to 64kg which is still a massive advantage to give away to a couple of rising stars.
The balance of the field is on the minimum of 54kg and that 10kg advantage given to Am I There Yet could be too great for John Luttrell’s stable star to overcome.
Am I There Yet is racing in great form and should he emerge triumphant on Sunday he will head to the St Leger (32400m) in Launceston in a fortnight at the top of his game.
The race should be run at an honest tempo with last season’s Tasmanian Derby winner Ollie’s Gold the likely leader.
Ollie’s Gold is getting better with each run for Brighton trainer Gary White.
It was Ollie’s courage and strength that won him the Derby so he must be considered a great each-way chance.