Trainer Aiden De Campo has been no stranger to feature race success over the past month, but few would be as significant as Wishing Belle winning Friday’s $50,000 Champagne Classic (1730m) at Gloucester Park.
One of De Campo’s main owners Darren Kinninmont tragically passed away early last week.
While De Campo trained the Kinninmont-owned Wishing Belle to an emotional win last Friday’s Gold Bracelet, the popular owner will be recognised this Friday with the Vale Darren Kinninmont Free-For-All (2130m).
De Campo said Kinninmont would be sorely missed.
“It’s probably one of those things that hasn’t quite hit me just yet,” De Campo told Racing WA Harness.
“Our families came quite good friends over the last five years and Darren was really good friends with dad.
“He was really good for my business, and he’d have shares in 14 or 15 horses with me.
“When I setup my new property he would often come around help with things like the fencing.
“He made friends with all the other owners too and I know a lot of my owners will miss him.”
De Campo said Kinninmont was the type of owner every trainer dreamed of.
“He never questioned me,” he said.
“He was the type of person that was just happy to be at the trots.
“If he had a horse go badly, he would move straight on to worrying about the next one.
“His wife Michelle and his family said they’re keen to continue his legacy in owning horses, so it would be special if they can keep winning.”
Wishing Belle has made an encouraging start to her racing career, winning a heat of the Sales Classic last month and the Gold Bracelet.
A gallant second to Ma Petite Dame was sandwiched between the wins.
The filly will get another opportunity to continue the bright start to her career in Friday’s Group 3 event, where she will face just five rivals.
Miss Red Velvet, who finished runner-up to Wishing Belle last week, is among her rivals again this week, as is the unbeaten Chugach from the Greg and Skye Bond stable.
De Campo said he was impressed by the filly’s professionalism to date.
“She’s nice to drive than any of the older horses,” he said.
“She’s a natural up and running two-year-old and is bombproof.
“Every time you ask for more, she just keeps on going.”
De Campo also has Copper Fine in the Champagne Classic and indicated he would be a “nice horse when the penny drops”.
De Campo will pin his hopes on The Miki Taker in the Vale Darren Kinninmont Pace, where he has drawn barrier one.
The Hopeland-based trainer said he would like to see his charge in front against the likes of Tenzing Bromac, Machnificent and Mighty Conqueror.
“We will come out as hard as we can,” he said.
“If he did lead then I reckon we’d look to hold it because he goes better with more pressure on.”
It’s Maa Time, also owned by Kinninmont, will be out to start De Campo’s night in winning fashion in the Catalanotrucks.com.au Pace (2130m).
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix