He's been very immature and has needed a lot of time
- Trainer Barry Campbell
In July 2015, Duperrey ran third to Rageese in a barrier trial at Rosehill.
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There wasn’t much between them that day but they were never to get close again.
Rageese went on to win stakes races at Flemington and Morphettville over the next two years while Duperrey never even made it to the races.
The Star Witness gelding, then trained by Chris Waller, was so unruly he either ran off the track or got barred in all his subsequent trials.
He eventually found his way to Melbourne, where he was no better and, finally, to Tasmania where Spreyton trainer Barry Campbell took delivery about a year ago.
“He’s been very immature and has needed a lot of time,” Campbell said after Duperrey, ridden by Daniel Ganderton, made a winning debut at Spreyton on Sunday.
Backed from $2.80 to $1.30, Duperrey justified the support when he shook off the speedy Woohoo on the home turn and went on to score by three lengths in a 1000m maiden.
”Daniel reckons he’ll be better over 1200m because it will take the early pressure off,” Campbell said.
“And, he’s as strong as an ox.”
Duperrey is still raced by Sydney owner Kathryn Wood.
Launceston businessman Bruno Calabro and his wife Jac also have a share.