![Adrian Bott is hoping the removal of blinkers and a change in routine can help Brisbane Cup winner Campaldino return to form in the Sydney Gold Cup at Randwick. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2263480.jpg)
Stakes performer Campaldino has been below his best this spring, but his trainers haven’t given up on coaxing him back to form, starting in the Sydney Gold Cup at Randwick.
Along with making some changes to his regular routine, co-trainer Adrian Bott has taken the gelding’s blinkers off, and is hoping it results in a much more competitive showing on Saturday.
The 2025 Brisbane Cup victor boasts a Listed victory over Metropolitan and Moonee Valley Cup winner Juja Kibo in the autumn, but has been unplaced in four runs this time in, the latest when finishing down the track in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 10.
“He was very consistent at that point (in the autumn), and he hasn’t brought that consistency this ‘prep’, so just trying to rejuvenate that, that’s the challenge,” Bott said.
“We’ve tried to freshen him up and reset.
“We took the blinkers off, and we’ve changed a few things around with him the last few weeks.
“That said, it’s probably not the best set-up for him coming back to 2000, but it does lead him into a nice race in a few weeks’ time where he should be most effective.”
That race is The Beauford (2300m) at Newcastle on November 14, but Bott is keen to see a positive run on Saturday first, and he’s quietly optimistic he will.
While the stable will have two Group 1 runners at Flemington – Cold Shower in the Victoria Derby (2500m) and Surfin’ Bird in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) – Metallic Cat will be their only other Sydney representative in the E Security Group Handicap (1300m), and she is expected to be hard to beat.
After going down in a head-bobbing finish first-up, the mare was beaten as favourite last start when Bott felt she may have been a victim of ‘second-up syndrome’.
“Whether she just bounced off that tough first-up run because she wasn’t as effective as she could have been and raced a bit flat,” Bott said.
“She looks really well within herself and she’s doing a good job.”
Tim Clark will partner both Tulloch Lodge runners at Randwick.
