Jimmie, STAR Racing Writer

CAMPESINO needed just one run to dust off the cobwebs gathered over eight months, but was nailed by THE GUV when stealing home at 1100 metres on August 2. The four-year-old gelding grabbed the lead from STREET DANCER entering the lane and was a length and a half clear, a furlong out, before THE GUV came calling with his usual late burst.

That was a good effort from CAMPESINO, considering it was his second run off an eight-month lay-up. In his comeback race a week earlier, July 26, the Philip Feanny-trained runner just wasn't sharp enough to figure in the 57.3 SUNLIGHT EXPRESS posted at 1000 metres straight.

However, with two runs under his girth, CAMPESINO has looked really sharp at exercise and should put rivals to the sword at 1000 metres round in tomorrow's overnight allowance.

He is well drawn at post-position eight in the 10-horse field and can't complain at 51.0 kilos with Percy Williams aboard.

Feanny galloped the gelding with speedy two-year-old TURN ME LOOSE on August 10, and watched him clock 34.1 for the last three furlongs after cantering from the winning post.

The many-time champion trainer tightened the screws Sunday morning by putting his runner through a five-furlong round spin in 1:01.0, his final speed gallop for tomorrow's race.

FRANKENSTORM, RUNJOHNNY RUN, STREET DANCER and RIO COBRE are strong speed horses, who will all be vying for the lead. CAMPESINO, however, is a stalker-sprinter with a good turn of foot, which will be crucial coming off the home turn.

Having been sharpened by Feanny since his narrow loss, CAMPESINO won't be beaten for speed. However, he does have a tardy gate habit and needs a clean break to keep the leaders honest. If he gets a sluggish start, his outside draw should ensure he doesn't get crowded and pinched back at the gate.

It will be a mad rush on the lead, which Williams doesn't have to engage. CAMPESINO is perfectly drawn and is light enough to pick off rivals one at a time.