Fresh from wins with Eastender in the Devonport and Hobart Cups, Campbell will saddle up promising filly Deroche in the $150,000 Gold Sovereign Stakes.

A runaway 4-¼ length winner at the same track a fortnight ago, Deroche will take on unbeaten local rival Mystical Pursuit and four Victorian-trained raiders.

Campbell is cautious but optimistic about her chances.

“I don’t know much about the mainland horses,” he admitted.

“I’ve been told they’re keen on the filly that ran a place at Moonee Valley (Sayumi) and she might be too good for ours – who knows?

“A couple of the others have been placed on country tracks but I think Deroche and Mystical Pursuit could manage that without any problem.”

Sticking to what he does know, Campbell said that Deroche was a smart filly and would continue to improve.

“Her second run was much better than her first. – she won good,” he said.

“She didn’t quite get as lost as she did at her first start.

“And, she’s gone ahead since then.

“I don’t think there is much between her and Mystical Pursuit so it should be a good race.”

Campbell has a great record in the Gold Sovereign. His multiple past winners include four of his best-ever horses – Alfa, Vetyvere, Grand Tycoon and Admiral.

The first meeting of the Launceston Cup carnival also features the $30,000 Sydeston Night Cup where the winner is exempt from the ballot for the Launceston Cup on February 27.

Barry Campbell’s win with Eastender in the Hobart Cup ended a drought stretching almost 45 years.

“I was starting to think I’d die without winning it,” Campbell said.

“I’ve had quite a few placegetters starting with Spirit Lover back in the mid-1970s.

“It’s been the same story with the Launceston Cup.

“I’ve won all the other major races, the two and three-year-olds, the weight-for-age races, the big sprints but the two main cups have always eluded me.”

That said, Campbell still doesn’t rate his Hobart Cup success ahead of his Devonport Cup wins with Dream Quest and Eastender.

“For me, personally, it’s not better than winning the Devonport Cup. There’s just something about winning your home-town cup, isn’t there?” he said.

“You’ve got all your family there and that’s what makes it special.

“My daughter Jess was at Elwick on Sunday but my son Martin couldn’t be there – that’s the difference.”