By Tayler Strong
Jamie Campbell had something to tell his fellow teachers and pupils this morning (Thursday) after driving his first winner at Forbury Park the previous night.
Campbell (25) drove trotter Armori to win the race for junior drivers at his 42nd drive. He gave the 15-to once chance the run of race behind the pacemaker and the 8-year-old mare came along the inner to win by a half a neck.
Campbell is a teacher at Central Southland College, Winton, his teaches physical education and agriculture. He also assists his long time friend Craig Ferguson with stable chores at nearby Lorneville in his spare time.
“I guess with six weeks school holidays coming up I will be doing a lot more work around the stables,’’ said Campbell.
He took up his teaching position this year. He is in his second season as a junior driver. He previously worked three years for trainers Colin and Julie De Filippi when attending the University of Canterbury.
Armori, trained at Brighton by part-owner, Graeme McLay, has gained her four wins at Forbury Park.
Bakari was an impressive winner in his first start from the Westwood stable of Graeme Anderson. Bakari, a 3-year-old by Gotta Go Cullect – Jacaranda, had three placings in six starts when trained at Amberley by part-owner, Kevin Chapman. He joined the Anderson stable at the beach three weeks ago. “ I like him. He is a big horse. I told John (Dunn, the driver) to let him roll as he has pulled a bit,” said Anderson.
The jaw-breaker bit was removed from Bakari prior to the start according to the stewards’ report. Bakari then hung in and paced roughly in the score up and activated the removable ear plugs.
Bakari was soon clear in the lead, opened up a break of six lengths from the 900m and won by two and a quarter from Royal Bengal, who ran on well from back in the field. Bakari ran the 2200m (mobile) in a 2.41.1, a 1.57.8 mile rate, the fastest time of the evening and a smart effort in cool conditions. Bakari is the first foal of Jacaranda, an unraced half sister by Falcon Seelster to useful winners, Huey Hewett and Amboseli.
Sagwitch, a 3-year-old half brother by Lis Mara to the big winner Washakie, was having his second start and first since April when he led over 2200m (mobile). He is trained at Waimumu, near Gore by Wayne(Syd) Breen for Paul and Nancy Matheson, of Mataura. Sagwitch qualified in April and finished fourth in his lone start as a 2-year-old.
“Wayne considered he was the nicest horse he had broken in so I bought him from Lester Paisley(breeder),” said Paul. He is in the ownership of Flashing On, who has won twice at Invercargill for Breen in the past two months. The three wins, the best in a season for Breen, have coincided with a shift of stable from Gore to the nearby property formerly used by Billy Heads. He has four horses in work. He also works for Matheson, a hotel manager.
Sagwitch is the last foal of Shoshoni Sunrise. Washakie, foaled in 2003, was her first and won 53 races and $1.8 million, mainly in Australia.
Trainer Jonny Cox again produced Franco Saxon for a fresh up win for the 150 strong goHarness Staxofun syndicate. Franco Saxon, who had not raced for close on four months, had won his first start at Addington in May.
Jema Jet, a newcomer to the Temuka stable of Brent White, outfinished Tortured Genius to clear maiden ranks.
Omakau owner-trainer Bryan Woodhouse produced Lucky Pat’s Son to win a C0 trot in his first race for four and a half months.
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