Campton sets sights on higher honours

By Jordan Gerrans

Having claimed the Gold Coast premiership in the infancy of his training career, the rising Adam Campton has set his sights on higher honours as the prized Magic Millions carnival looms.

At just 36 years of age, Campton is one of the shining young conditioners in the Sunshine State, boasting a big team of gallopers in work at Aquis Park.

He nabbed the local premiership last campaign in just his third season training.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Campton has declared he wants to learn more about the caper and improve himself while also shooting for more city and feature honours.

He heads to Eagle Farm on Saturday with stable newcomer Maid To Fit on a path back to Magic Millions day early next year.

The team had also nominated Sujeed in a black-type event but they opted not to accept. 

“We set ourselves goals each and every season,” Campton said.

“I want to be better now – I enjoy learning – and hopefully after winning the premiership, it gives the team a good kick to be better again this season, as well.

“We want to be in the bigger races, compete against bigger trainers and have runners in races like the Magic Millions – that is what you want to do, that is the dream. “

Campton has lived a diverse life within the racing industry before taking out his own licence on the Gold Coast, working in a number of different roles around Australia and across to Hong Kong.

The trainer has gained an abundance of knowledge from different roles working for Darley, Unibet and the Hong Kong Jockey Club before settling on the Gold Coast.

The emerging trainer comes from excellent stock in the racing game, being the son of Golden Slipper-winning jockey Neil and grandson of Melbourne Cup winner Les Coles.

Leading Sydney-based trainer Gerald Ryan is also an uncle of Campton’s.

As winning the premiership on the Gold Coast suggests, the Campton team have been prolific on their home deck in recent times.

The Polytrack at the Gold Coast has delivered the stable 46 of their 113 career victories.

In comparison, Doomben (five winners) and Eagle Farm (three) rank seventh and ninth respectively when it comes to most winners in Campton’s time training.

He has trained runners to place in a handful of black-type races but he is yet to break through at the higher level. 

That is where he wants to boost his numbers on the city circuit in the coming years to establish himself as one of the leading yard’s in the state.

Campton was also quick to praise his team of staff and trackwork riders for all their efforts as well as his partner Tayla Whalley.

“It is good to do it so early in my career, but we have got bigger fish to fry now,” Campton said of his premiership title.

“It meant a lot to myself, it probably proved that I might have the ability to train horses as you get plenty of people early in your career knocking you.”

Sujeed is a two-time winner from just four attempts and holds a nomination for the rich Guineas on Magic Millions day.

The son of Sooboog went around on the grass of his home track last Saturday. 

While Sujeed only has an Ipswich and Polytrack victory to his name, Campton believes the gelding can aim up at a higher level.

He was set to head to the Listed Gold Edition Plate on Saturday before the stable did not accept in the race. 

Regardless of the decision around Saturday's event, Campton believes Sujeed has a bright future. 

“He is really nice horse, he is still green and raw,” the trainer said.

“He is a bit of a cheeky bugger but he is a talented horse.

“I am going to try and take him through his grades with an eye to the three-year-old Magic Millions.

“He is obviously a women's syndication horse, where we would obviously get the bonus for that as well. He is a nice horse but the penny is still waiting to drop for him.”

Snitzel mare Maid To Fit will be having her first start for the stable on Saturday after previously being prepared in Brisbane by Kelly Schweida.

The five-year-old has trialled twice ahead of Saturday's contest, with Campton noting he is keen to see the galloper run for his team.

Maid To Fit finished third in the fillies and mares race on Magic Millions day last year. 

Looking ahead to Magic Millions day, the stable also holds a nomination for gelding Upturn in the three-year-old feature.

The Rosemont Stud-owned Upturn was set to have his second career start this Saturday after an impressive recent trial.

The stable have since opted not to accept with Upturn at Clifford Park. 

“I have got a few nice young horses,” he said.

“I had a number of smart ones from my team that trialed at the Gold Coast late last week. I am excited to see how they go.

“We have got a number of nice young horses coming through the scene and it will be about if they can stand up. It is a big time of year for them, it is a big preparation they have had.

“I have a nice Spirit Of Boom filly that is unnamed who I think can go places, as well.”