15 July 2022 | Tim Walker
2017 WA Derby winner Handsandwheels is set for a surprise return to the track in tonight’s Call Garrards Horse & Hound For All Your Equine Needs (2536m).
Handsandwheels was last seen at Gloucester Park in August 2020, a campaign which saw some epic clashes with Chicago Bull.
The eight-year-old has overcome several setbacks since his last start, to the extent trainer-driver Aiden De Campo had all but retired the star pacer.
Two recent trials at Bunbury and Pinjarra on June 29 and July 6 respectively were enough for De Campo to give Handsandwheels another shot at racing.
De Campo said he was excited to have the son of Mach Three back racing.
“I’m really happy to have him back, but obviously we aren’t expecting too much first-up in two years,” he told The Trots WA.
“We just want him to do everything right and give us the impression he still wants to race and pull up sound.
“He loves being around the stable and loves being in work.
“His trials have been better than what his work has been.
“He will take a bit of time to build into his best work.”
He encounters a small but select field in tonight’s Free-For-All event, headlined by Chicago Bull and Magnificent Storm.
Handsandwheels has draw barrier four in the field of seven and De Campo said he would keep it simple from the draw.
“We will just go straight to the fence and look after him,” he said.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him first-up and I’m expecting him to take three or four runs to get to his best.”
De Campo has had the chance to drive Magnificent Storm and Shockwave since Handsandwheels last raced.
Both horses loom as key players for the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cup early next year and De Campo said it would be tough to split the trio if Handsandwheels returned to his best.
“At his best he probably lacks the brilliance of Magnificent Storm and Shockwave,” he said.
“What he lacks in brilliance he makes up for in heart.
“If I have that problem of having to pick who to drive, then it’s a good one to have.”
Tonight’s Gloucester Park meeting gets underway at 5.20 AWST.
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