Thursday, 14th May 2026
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Back in the training saddle after a stint as a bloodstock agent, Andrew Campbell might have found the perfect project in Croupier – a quirky but talented 3YO with eyes on the Queensland winter carnival. The colt, a son of Ace High, is far from straightforward but rewarded Campbell’s faith with a narrow 1400m win at Trentham on Saturday, backing up from a luckless debut behind Super Photon at the same track. “It was a tough watch, but he was good in the last 50m. He’s come through the race super, he hasn’t left an oat,” said Campbell, who resumed training from his new base in Otaki after years in Cambridge. “He’s got plenty of tricks up his sleeve and you have to go with the flow with him. You wouldn’t beat him even if you tried. His nickname’s Bully and just does what he wants. He’s a grouse horse though and when the penny really drops, he’s going to be pretty good.” Croupier now faces a crucial test at Ellerslie this weekend, where a win in a Rating 65 mile would all but book his flight to Australia. “I’m going to back him up at Auckland on Saturday and Michael McNab is booked to ride him again, which is great,” Campbell said. “He’d have to win, or be really unlucky, to go over.” Should things go according to script, the campaign will continue in Brisbane with lead-ups into the Gr1 Queensland Derby on May 31, including the Queensland Guineas (Gr2, 1600m) and the Rough Habit Plate (Gr3, 2000m). “I think he’ll stay all day,” Campbell opined. “He’s by Ace High and he relaxes and drops the bit, we’re all pretty excited.” Croupier, who was purchased for $160,000 at Karaka by Campbell and long-time ally Tommy Heptinstall, is out of Lady Zafira, a five-time winner and black-type performer. Now training a small team of ten, Campbell is enjoying the hands-on rhythm of his return. “We’ve got six being broken in, a couple spelling, and three in work. It’s so enjoyable with a small team like that – it’s great!”
