Campaldino’s Sydney Cup hopes clouded by heart irregularity

Uncertainty surrounds Sydney Cup fancy Campaldino lining up in the $2 million race.

During a routine veterinary inspection ahead of Saturday’s staying test at Randwick, Campaldino was found to have a cardiac arrhythmia.

Further tests, including bloodwork to measure cardiac troponin levels, have been ordered to assess the severity of the heart irregularity.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott has been instructed that the horse must comply with Racing Australia’s protocols for first-time cases of arrhythmia in racehorses.

If the results from the blood tests and resting ECG meet veterinary standards, Campaldino will be required to complete a supervised 1000m gallop on Thursday morning under official observation.

Campaldino, runner-up in the Chairman’s Handicap at Randwick on Saturday, occupies the third line of betting as an $8 chance.