Barry Campbell’s powerful midweek showing at Devonport on Wednesday was headlined by Hartman (Exceed And Excel), who shattered the 1150‑metre track record with a brilliant display of sustained speed. Stopping the clock at 1:07.09, Hartman eclipsed the long‑standing mark of 1:07.17 set by I’m Wesley (I Am Invincible) in 2016, delivering one of the standout performances of the season on the Tapeta.
Hartman travelled comfortably throughout before unleashing a sharp turn of foot in the straight, leaving no doubt about his dominance. Campbell was pleased with the gelding’s effort and already has the next target in mind.
“There’s an open race for him in a fortnight over the same trip, so we’ll keep him fresh and aim for that,” he told Tasracing.
The six‑year‑old continues to build an impressive record, now boasting seven wins from 28 starts and more than $220,000 in prizemoney.
But Hartman’s record‑breaking run was only part of Campbell’s outstanding day. The Spreyton trainer produced a treble, showcasing the depth and form of his stable.
His other winners included Houlihan ($2.25), who proved too sharp in a Class 1 over 1009 metres, and a commanding stable quinella in the Open Handicap (1350m), where Tuskegee ($3.60) narrowly held off his fast‑finishing stablemate Simply Deep.
Campbell’s trio of victories reinforced his reputation for precision placement and readiness on race day, turning the Devonport meeting into a showcase of Ensign Lodge’s momentum.
With Hartman heading toward another suitable assignment and the stable firing on multiple fronts, Campbell’s team looks set to continue its strong run into the coming weeks.
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