Toffee Tongue's Brother a Jumping Star

Media Release - Monday May 25

A full brother to this season's G1 SAJC Schweppes Oaks winner Toffee Tongue, Gobstopper has given his Kiwi owners plenty of excitement over the COVID-19 enforced lockdown period, and he continued that on Sunday when taking out the Australian Hurdle (3900m) at Sandown.

“I thought he was really professional this time, he didn’t over-race he got a nice trail and was ridden amazingly,” part-owner and former trainer Andrew Campbell said.

“He has got some good form around him at the moment.”

Gobstopper is a star over the jumps - image Brett Holburt Racing PhotosGobstopper has won three of his last four hurdle assignments, including a last-start win in the Galleywood Hurdle (3200m), and Campbell said it has given his Kiwi connections plenty to look forward to over the last couple of months.

“We got a bit of criticism for leaving him over there when we did, but in hindsight it was probably the best thing we did,” Campbell said.

“It has been our highlight over lockdown, it has been a hell of a thrill.

“It’s not just us, but everyone is getting a buzz out of it. Probably because he is a Kiwi horse and he is well known up here (Cambridge).”

Gobstopper won the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) prior to his jumping career, and Campbell said the change in discipline has done wonders for the seven-year-old gelding.

“We did all the educating here and he turned his form around.

“I remember he just got beaten in a Rotorua Cup (Gr.3, 2200m). We had been schooling him up and it brought him a new lease on life.”

Advertisement

With Gobstopper thriving over hurdles, Campbell hasn’t dismissed the possibility of trying other horses over hurdles if they show ability.

“It’s (jumps racing) definitely worthwhile,” he said. “If you have got a half decent flat performer and they run out of zest, if they can jump there is certainly a future for them.”

Gobstopper is a favourite of Campbell’s and he said he is looking forward to the son of Tavistock furthering his jumping career in Australia under the care of trainer Eric Musgrove.

“He has been a great horse to us, he has given us some great thrills and a lot of heartbreaks,” Campbell said.

“Eric is unsure at this stage (what his next target will be), but there are plenty of races coming up.”

Back in Cambridge, Campbell has been pleased with the progress of his eight-strong team.

“We are just ticking away,” he said. “We have got eight in work and they are all having their first run along on Saturday.

“We have got a nice bunch of rising three-year-olds. It’s a nice team around us and I am very happy with them.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Closer Look at Written Tycoon – The Golden Crop Delivers
The sun might be setting on the stud career of Written Tycoon, but he’s not going into the twilight years quietly and is set to be crowned Champion Australian 3YO Sire this season, which is probably something predicted by many when he got the opportunity of a lifetime to cover at Arrowfield Stud for one season in 2020.
Stallion Shares in Cool Aza Beel Offer Rare Opportunity via Magic Millions Virtual Sale
Breeders will have a timely chance to invest in one of Australia’s most exciting young stallions next week, with two individual stallion shares in Cool Aza Beel to be offered via the Magic Millions Virtual Sale on Tuesday, August 5.
Carrazzo Melbourne 'Sport of Kings' Tax Talk
It gives Baumgartners great pleasure to announce that the Paul Carrazzo’s “Sport of Kings” horse tax talk returns to Inglis Melbourne on Wednesday 13 August.
Tenth Winner for Kings Legacy
King’s Legacy has had a promising start to his stud career with his tenth winner arriving on Tuesday while at the Rosehill trials one of his unraced youngsters produced a slick trial win to hold out Group performing colts Skyhook and West of Swindon.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 28
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Savabeel Stakes-Winner in the Making
A patient approach with Force Of Nature is being rewarded in spades, with the son of Savabeel winning his way toward black-type assignments.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Steve Davis Awarded NZTBA Personality of the Year
Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry.
Fifth Winner For Hanseatic As Audio Pop Cam Wins
With four jumpouts under her belt, winning the last three, Tony and Calvin McEvoy's Hanseatic filly Audio Pop Cam was too good for her rivals, starting favourite to win the Unox Casa Maiden Plate (1100m) at Pakenham with ease.
Consecutive Wins For Lucky Vega’s I’m Lucky Two
Off the back of an impressive two length victory over 1000m at Toowoomba at the end of June, the month between runs didn’t pose any issues as the Michael Nolan trained Lucky Vega (IRE) gelding I’m Lucky Two stepped out over 870m to win once again.