De Campo makes the right call on American Machine

Leading trainer driver Aiden De Campo made the right choice when he guided American Machine (American Ideal) to a narrow win over stablemate Amalfi Knight in a thrilling Team Bond three year old colts and geldings Pearl Classic Final at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

The $50,000 Group 3 event was always going to be a tough call for De Campo as Amalfi Knight also possesses a heap of ability but in the end American Machine’s more favourable barrier was the main factor that influenced him.

American Machine was expected to lead from barrier 3, but surprisingly he was beaten out by Chugach who showed dazzling speed from out wide to cross the field. More worryingly American Machine was inclined to race a bit roughly coming to the first corner.

However Amalfi Knight went up to race outside Chugach which enabled American Machine to obtain the coveted one out and one back position.

AMERICAN MACHINE 22 MAY REPLAY

American Machine pulled out three wide going into the back straight and it was a line of three with Chugach and Amalfi Knight still boxing away in the centre.

American Machine and Amalfi Knight drew clear on straightening. In an epic battle down the home straight Amalfi Knight refused to give in and it was only right on the line that American Machine poked his head in front of Amalfi Knight to prevail with Ideal An Ace running on for third.

A relieved De Campo commented after the race.

I was a bit concerned, this horse is still learning how to race a little bit. He’s quite raw, he’s got a heap of high speed and can pull and rip and tear at times. But a huge engine so a little bit concerned we fired him out of the gate. He went quite rough on that first bend as well, but picked himself up. The second horse (Amalfi Knight) was huge in defeat.

I thought wasn’t going to go over him, he probably deserved to win. That horse (Amalfi Knight) went huge.

The Westral Three Year old Diamond Classic final for fillies was taken out in superb style by classy filly Miss Leopatra (Bettors Delight) who gave a dashing display of front running to lead all of the way.

MISS LEOPATRA 22 MAY REPLAY

It was a two horse race with punters expecting Miss Leopatra to lead and Sovereign Jewel from the pole draw considered the only real danger.

But showing plenty of early pace Miss Leopatra crossed to the lead and Dylan Egerton Green on Sovereign Jewel was content to take the trail.

Jocelyn Young on Miss Leopatra steadied the pace and it was quite clear that she would be able to run a fast last half. Sovereign Jewel was clear in plenty of time as she eased out to issue a challenge on straightening. To her credit, she kept grinding away and in the end she was only beaten by a neck. Shezabeca who was well back in the run finished strongly just ahead of Crunchnsip for third placing.

Miss Leopatra’s mile rate of 1.55.1 was only marginally faster than that of American Machine who recorded 1.55.3.

Miss Leopatra now has to be considered one of State’s leading three year old fillies currently racing. She’s already defeated star filly Wishing Belle twice earlier on albeit narrowly so these two fillies are set to dominate the classics and their clash in the West Australian Oaks later on this season will be eagerly anticipated.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink