Tough mare Zouperb ready to fire at Doomben despite wasted trip to Sydney
The Gold Coast trainer said he would not attempt the feat with any other horse, but feels Zouperb won't be worried by having travel trips to Sydney and back to Queensland in quick succession.
Zouperb was set to contest the Ranvet Handicap at Randwick last Saturday, but headed back to Brisbane after the races were washed out.
On Saturday, she will contest the BM85 Handicap (1110m) at Doomben where last season's Brisbane premiership-winning jockey Angela Jones will partner her for the first time.
'In the back of my head, I am thinking about the big travels she has done, going to Sydney and then coming back here,' Campton said.
'But, honestly, she is as tough as nails and she thrives on it.
'There is no way I would do this with any other horse.
'But I think she is nearly the toughest horse I have ever trained.
'She continues to show up all the time, that's just how she is.
'Her first run this preparation was early January and I believe she has got better and better into her preparation.'
Sometimes in life, you have to be careful what you wish for.
At one stage last week, Campton was doing a rain dance because the wetter the better for Zouperb.
Then he started doing a reverse rain dance when the races looked in danger of being called off with the big wet.
For her new Doomben assignment on Saturday, Zouperb opened as an $8 chance but has been backed into $6.50.
Campton said Jones could suit the six-year-old mare perfectly.
'Angela hasn't ridden her before, but we want to try something new,' Campton said.
'She is a horse that you have to leave alone in her races and I think she would appreciate someone like Angela relaxing her and giving her one last crack at them.
'With these type of horses, Angela doesn't panic at any stage.
'The mare is going to have to bring her A-game on Saturday to run over the top of them, but she can win if she gets the right run.'
Meanwhile, Campton's veteran sprinter Deepour faces 'D-Day' when he lines up in the Noosa Cup (1000m) on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
Deepour has been a strong performer for Campton's stable, but didn't fire when relocating to Victoria for a stint when trained by Nick Ryan.
Deepour finished seventh of eight at Eagle Farm earlier this month when returning to Campton's stable.
'Sunday is more or less D-Day for him,' Campton said.
'I actually thought he was pretty good when first-up at Eagle Farm, because he went for an inside run and got held up.
'He is a horse who needs momentum.
'He hasn't had much luck in recent times, but Sunday will tell us more about where he is at.'
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