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Rough Habit next for Kiwi raider
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • May 8th, 2025 1:00 pm
Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
It may have not been the result he was after, but Andrew Campbell was pleased with Croupier’s run at Eagle Farm last Saturday, and will press on towards his intended feature targets.
Following two wins in New Zealand, Croupier made his Australian debut over a mile at the Brisbane track last weekend where he finished fourth in the hands of former New Zealand-based jockey Mark Du Plessis.
“I thought it was a good run, maybe he (Du Plessis) should have hooked him out wide instead of going to the rail,” Campbell said. “I don’t think a horse won on the rail all day except for the last, so it probably wasn’t the best place to be. The big horse he is, he got held up at a vital stage too.
“He has only been beaten three-quarters of a length, so we are over the moon, and that is why we are still here.”
The three-year-old son of Ace High has pleased Campbell with the way he has come through the run, and he is now looking forward to heading to Doomben next Saturday to contest the Gr.3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) before returning to Eagle Farm later this month to tackle the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m).
“Croupier came through his run extra well,” Campbell said. “I gave him a little gallop this (Thursday) morning and he galloped really nice. We are hoping to go to the Rough Habit Plate next Saturday, providing he makes the field. I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Meanwhile, stablemate Hayworth is set to make her debut at Trentham on Saturday in the Ladies Man 2YO (1200m).
Bought out of Highline Thoroughbreds’ New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft last year for $30,000, the daughter of Ace High will race in the colours of stable stalwart Tommy Heptinstall.
“We had sold her brother Caracas overseas, and he went really well. Unfortunately, he broke down, but he’s still Group Two placed,” Campbell said.
“We bought her as insurance. She was a nice, big, strong filly by Ace High that was going to take a bit of time, as they do.”
Hayworth is on the fourth line of betting for the opening race of the eight-race card at $6, and while hopeful of a positive result, Campbell is realistic about her chances and said it is more of an educational run before heading for a spell.
“She is going well, she’s not really a two-year-old though, we are just going to give her one run, and to lob into the money would be good,” he said.
“She’s a capable horse and she is going to make a really nice three-year-old. Win, lose or draw, we’ll give her a nice six weeks out and get her ready for the spring.”
