Camilleri Breezes Into Bathurst For Cup Tilt

IN form Victorian trainer Rob Camilleri rolls into Bathurst this Monday confident Slingshot Hammer and Shima Breeze will acquit themselves well in their heats of the Ladbrokes Bathurst Gold Cup (520m).

Click here for Monday's Bathurst Cup form

And on the strength of their outstanding recent form, it's hard to suggest otherwise.

"We've had the Bathurst Cup in the back of our minds for a few weeks now," explained Camilleri.

"The dates for Bathurst fitted in well with the big races coming up at The Meadows (February 15). We've accepted with Slingshot Hammer for the Temlee (525m) and Rajasthan (600m) for the Rookie Rebel. We had considered the Zoom Top (725m) for Rajasthan but he's racing so well over 600 at the moment we thought that if it ain't broke don't fix it."

When it comes to the heroics of grand campaigner Slingshot Hammer,  a 10-time group race finalist, Camilleri struggles to put into words the admiration he has for the rising four year old.

Winner at 33 of his 81 career starts and $197,000 in prize money, the son of Fernando Bale has been in Camilleri's care since last year's midfield finish to Deliver in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel.

"He's just a warhorse – gives his all every start," Camilleri proudly declared.

"I remember last May he won a heat of the Bob Payne at Wentworth Park in 29.60 – the best of the heats. In the final he got smashed at the first turn and fell doing about three somersaults. We got him home the next day and I said to Deb (Coleman) to put him in the runs so I could have a look at him. He was bouncing around like there wasn't a problem.

"That Thursday night he came out at Sandown and won a heat of the Harrison-Dawson in 29.32. That's the kind of dog he is."

At Sandown on Thursday night, Slingshot Hammer capped off his Bathurst Cup preparations by scoring a gritty middle distance win in 34.30.

"He did it the hard way – but that's what he does, he just gives his all every start which is all you can ask," Camilleri said. "I expect him to begin better at Bathurst on Monday."

The grand campaigner will exit box six for the second Bathurst Cup heat on Monday, while Shima Breeze, an electrifying 29.16 Sandown winner recently, has drawn box one in heat three of the $25,000 to-the-winner series.

A daughter of Fernando Bale and Shimaguni, Shima Breeze has had six runs back from a nine-month injury lay-off suffered when qualifying for the Group 1 Australian Cup Final last March.

Before being run down late in fast time at The Meadows on Wednesday, the 18-time winner strung three best of meeting wins together, included in those that flying 29.16 Sandown Park success.

"Box one is a big plus for her with her early speed; she hasn't been to Bathurst so hopefully from one it's like a trial for her going into the final," Camilleri added.

Shima Breeze is owned by Tim Aloisi, with Camilleri full of praise for the leading SA owner whom he's struck up a strong rapport with.

"I can't speak highly enough of him," Camilleri said.

"The prize money he earns from the dogs he buys gets reinvested back into the industry. He's re-homed over 30 dogs off his own bat; he's a terrific owner to have on board."

On paper, the Bathurst Cup, set down for decision next Friday night, looks at the mercy of Million Dollar Chase winner Good Odds Harada.

Last year, the Frank Hurst-trained son of Collision qualified for the Million Dollar Chase via the Bathurst series, running a near record 29.30 in an astonishing display of sustained speed.

Aided by box one in the opening heat on Monday, the brindle flyer's spot in next Friday's final looks almost assured.