Murwillumbah preview, tips and inside mail for Sunday, February 2, 2025

Trainer Adam Campton has made a few gear changes to get the best out of his runners when they line up against each at Murwillumbah on Sunday. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Adam Campton is sending two runners to Murwillumbah on Sunday. Picture: Trackside Photography

Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton heads south for Sunday’s meeting at Murwillumbah with a team of two and he’s hoping a few gear changes can lead to success.

That duo in question is Cordorzar and Reign Of Power, who will line up alongside each other in the Archer Park Racing Benchmark 58 over 1100m.

Reign Of Power, a four-year-old son of Power, is on the back-up following an eighth placed finish at Ipswich last weekend where Campton described the ride as “fair at best”.

Having his fourth start for the stable after starting his career as a racehorse with Jack Bruce, Campton has applied the blinkers and hopes it can switch Reign Of Power on in the early stages of the race.

• MURWILLUMBAH FIELDS AND FORM

Prior to that race, Reign Of Power was an eye catcher when flashing late to run second at Ballina behind Boom Master.

“I thought it was a fair ride at best last start at Ipswich,” Campton said.

“I’ve chucked blinkers on him to sharpen him up so hopefully he’s not spotting them a big start again.

“But he’s a horse that can reel off some strong late sectionals and you still saw that last week at Ipswich despite where he finished in the run.”

The sixth race on Murwillumbah’s card will be Reign Of Power’s first run outside of Queensland and he’s set to jump from barrier six with jockey Elione Chaves jumping on board for the first time.

Stablemate Cordorzar will step from the barrier outside Reign Of Power in gate seven.

Campton has also tinkered with Cordorzar’s gear, taking the winkers off in hopes of some better race manners.

A former Victorian having started his career with Liam Howley, Campton is sure there’s talent under the hood but is just hoping the four-year-old galloper can put it all together.

He was last seen going under as favourite at the Gold Coast in August last year and has had one trial in preparation for his return.

“He’s been a bit of a head case for me,” Campton said.

“When I first got him I thought he would be a horse that we would win a few races with but sometimes he just can’t keep it together.

“The winkers do go off for this so hopefully the race manners are a bit better but we will know more after race day.”

Cordorzar is likely to appreciate further ground than the 1100m he is contesting but Campton is just hoping to see him run well.

“He should only improve off whatever he does there but hopefully he’s hitting the line and we can get him out over more ground later in the preparation,” Campton said.

“I’ve only given him the one trial off his break but he has run well first-up in the past so hopefully he can do so again.”

MURWILLUMBAH TIPS

BEST BET

Race 5 No.6: Hell March

Comes out of the Magic Millions Maiden Plate when fourth to Heavenly Impact. Top jockey Ryan Maloney is only riding one and it’s this horse.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No.1: Hardley Grey

Carries the top weight but finds a weak race. Comes here off two solid showings and with it looking like he’ll get the run of the race, Hardly Gray is the horse to be with.

VALUE BET

Race 7 No.4: Showman

Drawn wide but there’s a lot of speed in this race and jockey Shae Wilkes can capitalise aboard this Stephen Lee-trained galloper. Gets here off two straight placings.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 4, 10

Race 5: 6

Race 6: 1, 2, 6

Race 7: 4, 6, 11

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

RYAN MALONEY

When a top jockey jumps in the car for just one ride at a country meeting, you’ve got to take note. He’s riding Hell March in the fifth race on the card.

MURWILLUMBAH INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

So Be Inspired was impressive on debut at Muswellbrook when leading and proving too strong. Big drifter ($8.50 – $17) in betting that day too. Not much went right at start two over the 1000m at Port Macquarie but she hit the line late in tight room. Finds a suitable race here and the extra 100m should suit. Pressalong as a lightly raced mare from the Stephen Lee stable. Strong winner first-up at Ballina and she should only improve off that. Backseat Promise does mix her form but is capable on her day.

Bet: So Be Inspired to win.

RACE 2

Their Finest Hour was made to do plenty of work from a wide barrier last time out at Ballina and dropped out of the race as a result. Drew barrier nine that day but he’s got gate two for this assignment. Can bounce back. Flame Tree Star gets here off the short back up having raced last Wednesday at Ipswich. Will appreciate the drop in grade and return to the home circuit. Pal’s Reign won two starts back at Taree and was good again last time out at Ballina. Expecting another honest run here.

Bet: Their Finest Hour to bounce back.

RACE 3

Former Victorian raider Moscow Circus is lining up for start No.1 with Matt Dunn. She’s only had one start and that was with the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable. Looked really sharp in a recent Beaudesert trial and it looks as though she’ll get every chance from gate six. Her stablemate Superstitious got too far back last time out in the Magic Millions Maiden. Will appreciate the drop in grade for this assignment. Barcelona Babe got lost on the turn last time out at her third start. She’s got a bit to learn but will likely know more about her craft this time.

Bet: Moscow Circus the one to beat.

RACE 4

French Empire has been in the blackbook since his first trial, given he was Champagne Cuddles’ first foal. Doesn’t have half the talent of his mum but is certainly good enough for a country maiden. Did plenty of work last time out at the Sunshine Coast and it told late. Drawn well here. Insinuate is a half sister to The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes. She’s been sent up to Chris Waller’s Gold Coast base after a disappointing run at Kembla. The master trainer has applied blinkers for the first time here. Miss Reilly is a 12 start maiden but has mostly been in city races.

Bet: French Empire to win.

RACE 5

Hell March comes out of the Magic Millions Maiden. Was well supported ($7 – $5) and finished fourth. Will enjoy the easier company here and it’s worth noting that Ryan Maloney makes the trip for just one horse at Murwillumbah and it’s this one. Chilled With Ice debuted in a hot maiden plate at Doomben midway through last year. Has had two trials in the lead up to his return and drawn the pole position. Barron is yet to win one in 27 starts but doesn’t mind running a place. Has finished in the top three in four of his last five runs.

Bet: Hell March is the lock of the day.

RACE 6

Hardley Grey has to carry the top weight but maps to get the run of the race in what looks to be an open affair. Gets here off two narrow placings but this looks to be an easier contest than what he’s faced at his last two. Cordorzar resumes from a break off one trial. All his best form is over further but he has sprinted well fresh in the past. Eagle’s Fire drawn off the track. Was game in defeat last start and if they go hard up front, he’s the one that can flash home. Rustic Tzar is coming off a maiden win a Listmore. This is harder but he can improve again.

Bet: Hardly Grey to win.

RACE 7

Showman has been knocking on the door for a win, coming here off two straight placings in handy races. The six-year-old son of Shocking is drawn poorly out in barrier 13 but there looks to be genuine speed in this race and jockey Shae Wilkes can capitalise. Kaiwi was met with a bit of support first-up and ran solidly, finishing fourth to Nails And Pride at Lismore. Should take plenty of benefit from the run and improve into today’s contest. Lady Nikster is the Waller representative in this race. She was a strong winner two back at Ipswich before performing well below her best last time out at the Sunshine Coast.

Bet: Showman each-way.