'The Hulk' and Campton overdue for city success

By Glenn Davis

The aptly named Hulkamania will be out to prove he’s not just a Polytrack performer when he attempts to give trainer Adam Campton an overdue city winner at Doomben on Wednesday.

Hulkamania - a Jag Guthmann-Chester mount - steps out for the first time at Doomben in the Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1600 metres.

His last five appearances have all be on the Polytrack at the Gold Coast which have resulted in two wins and three placings.

A son of Star Witness, Hulkamania is the biggest horse Campton has trained and notched up his fifth win in 27 starts last outing when he won a 1540 metre Benchmark race on May 17.

“He’s well-named and is easily the biggest horses I’ve ever trained,” Campton said.

“He’s been racing on the Gold Coast Polytrack lately because he doesn’t like the choppy tracks we’ve been getting.

“I think he’s up to winning in town now and he’s always shown he’s got the ability.”

Although Hulkamania is having his first start at Doomben, Campton doesn’t see it as a drawback.

“Doomben won’t worry him and hopefully he’ll take a sit behind the speed,” Campton said.

“He’s better off chasing and the way he came off the track bouncing around and squealing on Monday, he’s fit and ready to go.”

Campton claimed the Gold Coast trainer’s premiership in just his third year of training last season and now has a stable of 46 in work.

He admits the influx of new trainers with satellite stables at the Gold Coast such as Tony Gollan as well as Tony and Maddysen Sears, among others, is making it harder for local trainers, but he welcomes the challenge.

“It’s getting tougher at the Gold Coast but that’s a good thing as you have to get better yourself,” Campton said.

Campton currently has a 9.5% winning strike-rate this season with 30 winners from 315 starters.

Campton gained valuable experience in the racing industry working for Darley, Unibet and the Hong Kong Jockey Club before moving to the Gold Coast to train.

He is the son of Golden Slipper-winning jockey Neil and grandson of Melbourne Cup-winner Les Coles while leading Sydney-based trainer Gerald Ryan is his uncle.