FATHER and daughter combination Tony and Ashleigh Camilleri hope to make the most of their long interstate trip tomorrow night
Based in Broken Hill, the duo will undertake a four-hour journey to Port Pirie with three members of their team.
“It’s a fair drive, but we don’t mind heading to Port Pirie,” Tony said. “We are hoping it will be worthwhile, but we’re also realistic given they’re all first-up for quite some time.”
Ashleigh will be the first in action via Itz Blackjack in the opening event on the card.
Returning from a seven-month spell, Itz Blackjack was successful in Port Pirie three starts ago.
The son of Modern Art appears to enjoy racing at the provincial circuit, having registered a pair of wins and a second from his three outings at the venue last season.
To be driven by Corey Johnson, Itz Blackjack is listed among the outsiders at $21 from barrier four over 2050 metres.
“He’s a little one dimensional, and can be very hit-and-miss, but he does go well fresh, so he has that in his favour,” Tony said. “He also likes Port Pirie, so with a bit of luck he can do alright.”
Tony will then be represented by Burning Love, which is also having his first outing since last November.
Respected reinsman Greg Rogers will partner the son of Sunshine Beach from barrier eight.
“Burning Love is a lovely old horse in the twilight of career, but he has been working well,” Tony said. “He wasn’t really racing as well as he should have last time, and it had been a while since he had a really long spell, so I gave him plenty of time.
“At his best he’s a chance, but the draw will level him up a little.”
Poised to make his debut for Tony, I Need Agirlfriend will round out the trio in what is his first run since last June.
Also to be driven by Rogers, I Need Agirlfriend has drawn to gain a perfect passage from the pole.
“I’ve had him for a year, but he got quite ill after he got here, so I gave him plenty of time off,” Tony said. “He’s only had a handful of starts as a two and three-year-old, so he’s still a little green, but I do like him.
“He has been working really well and seems to be very strong… I reckon he is worth a speck each way.”
- story Paul Courts