Trainer Brett Thompson has weight of numbers on his side with five of the seven runners in the opening race at Wellington on Saturday.
However, with a large of number of owners to keep happy, the Mudgee-based Thompson has been forced to put on his diplomatic hat when trying to sort the hay from the chaff.
And for punters, attempting to figure out the best of Thompson’s quintet, there are other problems particularly as they are all two-year-olds, two of which are having their first start.
The McCarroll Family Maiden over the 900m scamper will answer a lot of questions for Thompson.
And it could provide the top horseman with his first ever trifecta.
“I didn’t want to start all of them in the one race but they need a run before going out and being brought back after Christmas,” Thompson said.
“And if I didn’t put them all in, there wouldn’t be a race.
“The owners fortunately, have been pretty understanding. It’s not easy getting runs for two-year-olds in the country.
“The owners understand the best horse on the day will win. Hopefully it’s one of ours.
“I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t.”
Thompson said trying to pick the best of his runners was difficult but if pressed he would nominate Domuar Miss to be ridden by Greg Ryan.
His other runners are No More Honey (Michael Travers), Slate On Edge (Kody Nestor), Saturlina (Ken Dunbar) and Benny’s Babe who may not start.
Ryan partnered No More Honey and Domuar Miss in winning trials at Warren and Mudgee.
“Greg wasn’t overly enthusiastic about No More Honeys trial (November 5),” Thompson said.
“It was against older horses and he got tired the last bit because he’d never been over 1000 metres in his life.
“But I can tell you the trial has helped him.
“Domuar Miss won her trial (October 22) by nearly five lengths and Greg was of the opinion she could have won by 10 or 15 lengths if he let her go.
“She’s got great gate speed.”
Domuar Miss is raced by her breeders Mike and Anita Crompton.
And if there is to be an unwanted spanner in the works?
“If Bindi Cheers brings Who Wee it could upset the applecart,” Thompson said.
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