SPREYTON trainer Barry Campbell will try to find an easy path to the AAMI Hobart Cup for his promising stayer Okuma following the gelding’s impressive win in the benchmark 68 handicap over 2100 metres in Launceston last night.
Okuma was having only his second start in the state since transferring from the David Hayes stable in Victoria.
At his first try the gelded son of Jeune produced an eye-catching sixth of 10 in a 0-75 ratings race in Launceston three weeks ago.
“The horse had improved quite dramatically since his first start for me and I expected him to do what he did tonight,” Campbell said.
“There’s a lot to like about this horse and now that he’s proven he can run a strong 2100 metres I might just send him around in the Brighton Cup in Hobart on Sunday week and try and get him into the Hobart Cup that way,” he said.
The winner of the Brighton Cup (2080m) gains ballot-free entry into the AAMI Hobart Cup to be run over 2200m on February 13.
Okuma is owned by Barry and Enid Larter in partnership with their son David who manages the Woodlawn Park Stud syndicate .