Admiral Primed for The Goodwood Campaign

Trainer Barry Campbell has revealed stable star Admiral will have one run on the mainland before taking his place in the 2016 The Goodwood field at Morphettville Racecourse on May 21st.

Black Heart Bart remains favourite to win The Goodwood at Morphettville. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Black Heart Bart remains favourite to win The Goodwood at Morphettville. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Admiral has undoubtedly been the standout in Tasmanian racing through the last twelve months and returns to competition this time with a particularly impressive record of fourteen wins and three minors through only nineteen career starts.

Campbell told Racing Ahead the Mossman gelding is a picture of health in the lead-up to his 2016 The Goodwood campaign.

“He’s really good,” Campbell said.

“He’s come back well and is absolutely thriving.

“He only had three weeks out because physically he didn’t need a spell, his condition was good and he looked terrific but he probably just needed the little mental break.”

Campbell noting his near-perfect record second-up, Campbell confirmed Admiral will take his place in The Goodwood 2016 following a run down the Flemington straight through the coming weeks.

“He’s really good second-up. I don’t know if he’s four from four or five from five second-up so The Goodwood second-up would be ideal for him,” Campbell said.

“All going to plan we’ll give him a run because it’s only 1000m.

“He’ll probably run in a 1000m race down the straight at Flemington but it will top him off nicely for The Goodwood.”

Tasmanian hoop Brendan McCoull has piloted Admiral to all fourteen of his race wins to date, but Campbell revealed he will allow connections to decide who will ride the horse in The Goodwood.

“From probably 12 months ago we thought it would probably be a really nice race for him. It probably won’t be this year, but it’s probably always one of the weaker Group 1s,” he said.

“Brendan is 14 from 18 on him, so he has a pretty damn good record on him.”

Admiral returned to racing in 2015 in slick form; winning the Listed Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) and finishing second in the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) before beating the likes of The Cleaner to the line in the Listed George Adams Plate (1600m).

Returning to the paddock after producing a gutsy effort to run on for fifth in the talent-rich Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) in March, Admiral resumed in November for fifth in the Listed Tasmanian Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on November 18th but responded in the best way possible with success in the Conquering WFA (1400m) on December 9th.

Continuing his winning form through the Listed Tasmanian Stakes (1600m), Admiral won the Ubet Stakes (1200m) and returned to the paddock after claiming success in each of the Thomas Lyons Stakes and George Adams Plate.

Ladbrokes Australia currently rate Admiral a $15 chance in early 2016 The Goodwood betting markets.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.