23 March 2021 | Ashleigh Paikos
Bridgetown proved to be a successful day out for Aiden De Campo, as the trainer/driver managed to drive four winners of the seven races on the card.
De Campo, who is based out of Capel walked away with training honours, with the 29-year-old training a double on the day, including taking out the feature, the 2021 Ray White Bridgetown Cup with Tellmetoattack.
“I have always like driving at Bridgetown, I normally have some family from Pemberton come up for the meeting as well. My family has won the cup before, but this is my first win after a fair few placings in the race.” De Campo said.
The Double Westbred gelding started from barrier eight in the cup and managed to settle around midfield throughout the 2597m journey. Driven to perfection, De Campo managed to work his way to the lead and win narrowly over Ignite the Passion in an impressive 1:59:8 around the country track.
The five-year-old gelding by local stallion Advance Attack NZ, is raced by a large array of owners and was bred by Mal Hancock, Tracy Massimini and Tanya Hancock who stand the stallion in Burekup. The cup success brings his total wins up to 10 races from 49 starts and his total earnings to just over $69,000.
“Any race win is a thrill and a lot of the time it isn’t about the stake money, its more about the thrill you can give the owners, trainers and spectators.” He said.
De Campo teamed up with Busselton trainer Chris Beckett in race three, where they rewarded favourite punters with an armchair drive on Torpedo Rock.
Kristy Sheehy and Chase The Feeling made it two in a row, with the gelding backing up his winning form from last week. The $1.45 favourite was confidently driven by Shannon Suvaljko for an all the way victory in the first.
Reddington Reactor who has been knocking on the door claimed his first victory in the maiden race for trainer Errol Ashcroft and driver Deni Roberts.
The rivalry between Reece Keptein and Kayla Trewenack kicked off again in the last, but this time bragging rights were with Trewenack and her mare Adda Girl, driven by Aiden De Campo; Trewenack notching up her first win in five years.
“We watched the race about ten metres apart. Once my horse lead, the nerves kicked in and I walked away. I did think she could lead but I was a bit sceptical as she was still ODS”
Both mares are currently in good form, with Major Michelle and Adda Girl running first and second against each other two weeks ago at Collie.
“I’m not complaining, it’s good to have horses that are consistent.” She said.
The car trip home was far from a quiet one, with Kayla Trewenack commenting that she was on the UDL’s for the drive home, celebrating their success with their small team. Horse racing is a family affair for the couple, with Reece’s daughter Amelia often accompanying them.
“Sunday night is family dinner night, which we seem to keep missing lately, but I must admit racing the horses wouldn’t be possible without Nanny, who will have dinner waiting for us at the stables when we get home.”
Adding to the local flavour, race five was taken out by the Awcock owned Disco Demon, putting Ross Ashby and Chris Voak in the winner’s circle for the last meeting at Bridgetown for the season.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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