Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell saw potential in Cocobill as a yearling, and two and a half years later the ex-Victorian galloper will make his Kiwi debut for his stable at Woodville on Sunday.
After stepping away from training for a couple of years in 2021, Campbell went down the path of becoming a bloodstock agent, and Cocobill was among the yearlings he sourced for clients out of the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales at Karaka.
The son of Vadamos was secured for just $18,000 by Campbell, client Tommy Heptinstall and expat Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, and under their guidance Cocobill won three races and more than A$80,000 in nine starts across Victoria.
The most recent of those victories came at his last start at Bendigo last month, and following that effort his connections decided the heavy track specialist would be better placed in his homeland, being trained by Campbell.
“He’s really just a bush horse in Aussie, but he likes a heavy track, so we thought why not bring him back,” Campbell said. “You don’t get really heavy tracks over there like you do here.
“It’s quite expensive training a horse in Australia to be running around midweek, so we thought we’d bring him back and hopefully have a bit of fun with him. All of the owners live here too.
“He was a nice tidy horse (as a yearling) and had all the ticks of approval that we were looking for, he was a good, cheap buy. I think he’s won about 80 grand now.”
The gelding has settled into Campbell’s Otaki base over the last couple of weeks, preparing to contest the Dannevirke Carriers (1400m) on his preferred rain-affected surface.
“He’s been back here for about three weeks, he’s a big, weak horse that’ll probably be at his peak next year,” Campbell said.
“I’ve only given him two gallops but he’s galloped up pretty well, so hopefully we’ll see a good showing on Sunday.”
Campbell’s other representative at the meeting will be Perfect Pete, who is aiming to break maiden status after weighing in at each start this campaign, having been out with injury for most of last season.
“He had 11 months off due to an injury and in his first run back he blew out, then was a touch unlucky last start,” he said. “He’s another horse by Fabulous that will love the wet track, and at his next start he’ll be up to 2000m, which will be right up his alley.
“He’ll go well again on Sunday, he should be in the money. He’s a good, honest horse.”
The five-year-old will be ridden by southern-based hoop Rohan Mudhoo when contesting the Kevin Jennings Jewellers (1600m).
