Fitness test awaits Campaldino for Sydney Cup entry

Prospective Sydney Cup runner Campaldino requires clearance from a fitness assessment to join the two-mile event at Randwick, after routine vet checks detected cardiac arrhythmia.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott mentioned the absence of any such concern post his second place in the Chairman's Handicap (2600m) on Saturday, with the gelding showing no previous instances of it.

"He presented with cardiac arrhythmia in the tests this morning," Bott said.

"He'll go through the ECG process. He was checked immediately following the race (on Saturday) and all the vital signs, everything was all in order.

"It's a bit of an unusual case. He's never had any history. It's something that has just popped up.

"He hasn't done any strenuous exercise, but the stewards did their Sydney Cup inspections (on Tuesday) morning and that's when it was detected."

Blood tests have been conducted on Campaldino, requiring him to perform a gallop for officials on Thursday to earn racing approval.

According to Bott, their main concern is the welfare of the horse, and he will only start in the Sydney Cup (3200m) if deemed fully sound.

In the event of a pass, expectations are high for a bold effort from the Brisbane Cup (3200m) winner from last year.

"It's the program and campaign build-up we have used successfully before to win the Cup with Knights Order and The Offer, so he has followed that path and seems to be peaking at the right time," Bott said.

"It was an excellent run on Saturday. He is proven at the two-miles. Bit of an awkward draw but he's got tactical speed to offset that."

With odds of $8, Campaldino pulled gate 14 at the Tuesday barrier draw, Tim Clark in the saddle.

Favourite Mr Monaco at $5 got the extreme outside post among 16 starters, despite covering extra ground en route to victory in the Manion Cup (2400m) recently, as River Of Stars and Soul Of Spain drew six and 12.

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