Rob Potter hopes to win race named in great friend’s honour
A great friend of the late Tony Campbell, Canberra Trainer Rob Potter has never had a runner in the Cup named in his honour. That is until new stable addition Milamoo lines up in the 16th Tony Campbell Memorial Cup (1400m) this Friday at Thoroughbred Park.
“Tony was a good mate of mine” Potter said. “I still remember the days after a race meeting here, a lot of us Trainers would head to the El Dorado and Tony would get on the piano, he was very good. Those are good memories.”
“It’s great to have a runner in his race for the first time and I think I’ve got one that will be competitive.”
Milamoo joins Potter’s stable from Mick Miladinvoic who has taken a break from training. The mare by Zariz is first up off a long break but Potter is happy with her fitness levels heading into this assignment.
“She’s had 6-months off but we gave her a jump out and she had a nice blow. It’s funny, she’s an eight-year-old but it doesn’t take her too long to get close to top fitness. Potter said. “While she’ll definitely improve off this, she’s in lovely order.” Potter said.
“She really loves racing in Canberra and has a great record in TAB Federals. She’s drawn well and has stable rider Damon Budler, who is back from injury, on-board. It’s a really strong race, I think she’ll run a great race.”
Milamoo boasts three wins and five minor placings from her 11 starts at Thoroughbred Park to date.
She will face a full field on Friday with a host of quality gallopers engaged. Nick Olive’s Ready To Humble was recently the first country-trained horse home in the $2m Big Dance, while Keith Dryden will line up the in-form duo Sky Diamonds and Wichita Warrior.
The 16th running of the TAB Tony Campbell Memorial Cup is joined by the Sky Racing Race Callers Cup (1000m) which will feature a small but competitive field.
Matthew Dale holds a strong hand in the race, with Pretty Woman and Blitzar making up part of a typically strong Dale-trained team that will compete on the day.
The TAB Tony Campbell Memorial Cup is Race Eight on Friday’s program and is due to jump at 5:44pm.