Campton looking forward to more Gold Coast grass racing

By Glenn Davis

Leading Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton is looking forward to a return to grass racing on his home track on Saturday and is hopeful of increasing his lead in the local trainers’ premiership.

Grass track racing returned to the Gold Coast last month after a long lay-off following major renovations.

Campton is only in his fourth season of training and showed why he is regarded as one of the state’s up and coming young trainers when he claimed the Gold Coast trainers’ premiership last season.

He currently has eight wins in this season’s local battle for training honours, three wins clear of the training partnership of Toby Edmonds and Stephen McLean.

Campton has 12 entries for the eight-event program which attracted a massive 198 nominations.

Genetic Freak in the Class 5 Handicap, Hidden Melody in the Benchmark 65 Handicap and Hydroelectric in the Class 3 Handicap are likely to spearhead Campton’s team.

The five-year-old Genetic Freak began his career with champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller before being sold at an Inglis online auction and joining Campton’s stable.

He is coming off a well beaten eighth behind Flashing Steel in the Lismore Cup which was transferred to Grafton on October 1.

The son of Shalaa was an impressive winner in Class 5 grade at his previous start at Ipswich on September 19.

“It was a bog track at Grafton and a stop-start affair which he doesn’t like,” Campton said.

“He’s also entered for Eagle Farm but I’m leaning to starting him at the Gold Coast.

“He’s one of my better chances at the Gold Coast but I’ve got some other good chances including Hydroelectric and Hidden Melody.”

Hydroelectric is one of three Campton nominations in the Class 3 event and was an impressive winner over 1200 metres for apprentice Jace McMurray at the Gold Coast on October 5.

“Hydroelectric was a huge winner last start and he beat home Barassi who won the big maiden at the Gold Coast on Magic Millions day,” Campton said.

Hidden Melody made her comeback following a break with a strong second behind Battle Of Vienna on her home track on October 5.

“Hidden Melody went well first-up but she needed the run and had a good blow after it,” Campton said.

“She’ll strip a lot fitter for Saturday’s race.”