Geelong training duo Andrew & Don Campbell are looking for another ace run from their undefeated gelding Stick On when they make their big city debut at Flemington on Saturday.
It’s an important run too as it could see them set for an upcoming Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
The rising four-year-old son of Pins has won all three of their career starts to date.
They will look to keep the winning streak going this weekend when they step up in class for the $100,000 Coolalinga Handicap (1100m).
It is a race Andrew, who co-trains with his father Don, has been eagerly awaiting too with Stick On having shown all the right signs ahead of their major metropolitan maiden.
“This race certainly was always on our agenda,” Campbell said.
“There were a couple of Saturday races (we considered) and one didn’t work out.
“We sat and waited for this one and it can’t come quickly enough as far as we’re concerned.”
Stick On ran straight into the spotlight in their official debut back in April with a five length win on the all weather track at Geelong in a 0-68 grade sprint and has done nothing wrong since.
They went from that run to Sandown in May and held on to take out another 1000m event before heading back to the Geelong Synthetic on June 21 they retained their unbeaten record with a two length effort after overcoming gate 11 of 12.
“He pulled up from Geelong probably better than he pulled up from any other race, which generally means that you’ve still got one run in the tank,” Campbell said.
“I thought he’s got better each start and we don’t think he can be going much better, to be honest.”
On Saturday Stick On has barrier nine of 10 to overcome and will be ridden by big race specialist Glen Boss for the first time carrying 57.5kg.
They trail only the Russell Cameron-trained Impulse Buy (60kg) in the weights who comes off a handicap win at Moonee Valley.
Should all go to plan Campbell will send Stick On out for a two to three week break after Saturday before taking them up to black type company towards the end of the spring carnival.
The Coolalinga Handicap is one of two $100,000 features on the Flemington race card for Saturday along with the Gala Supreme Handicap (2000m) where Tassie expat The Cleaner debuts for new trainer Robert Smerdon.
The Cleaner is equal top-weight on 60kg with former Group 1 SA Derby winner Zabeelionaire in a crack 17-horse field that also includes the likes of multiple Group performer Exceptionally, last start Flemington winner Zuma Roc and Smerdon’s smart hurdler Westsouthwest.
