HALL of fame trainer Barry Campbell has earned a reputation as a master trainer of two-year-olds with his success rate higher than any other mentor in the state in recent years.
He produced Alfa to win multiple feature races in the 1990s before he ventured interstate to win Group races in the care of the late Bart Cummings.
In more recent times his success with Grand Tycoon and Admiral who were the state’s best two-year-olds of their time is testament to Campbell’s ability to deliver top performers early in the season.
At UBET Park Hobart today Campbell will saddle up two juveniles in the opening 2YO race of the season (race 3) in Immortal Charm and Sameron.
Immortal Charm won her only trial at Longford two weeks ago and Sameron finished second beaten two lengths.
It was an impressive trial as the Exceed and Excel filly covered the 70 metres in 40.50 seconds which was over a second quicker than the other 2YO trial winner Bonjour Belle that cocked 41.60 but was not pushed right out to win.
Brighton trainer Leon Wells produced Gee Gee Double Dee to win a trial in Hobart over 900m on October 13 and she won by almost eight lengths for what was an extraordinary hit-out.
Campbell has already indicated Immortal Charm could be the best 2YO he has prepared but having to ravel down from Spreyton and tackle the Hobart track first-up is not an easy task so a win for that filly today under those circumstances would make the win special.
But there also is an air of confidence surrounding the chances of Gee Gee Double Dee winning on debut.
The presence of two highly promising youngsters and a capacity field should make for an interesting first 2YO race of the season.
Sameron is by West Quest and is owned by Charlie and Wendy Langmaid who have enjoyed amazing success with youngsters in recent years with Grand Tycoon their best.
Gee Gee Pureblonde also is expected to make an impact on the 2YO features and while he finished second in his only trial at Longford on October 20 the gelded son of Wordsmith has come on since that trial and could cause an upset today.