Robert Thompson knows where the winning post is on racetracks around the country but when it comes to his illustrious career in the saddle there is no finishing line in sight.
The man who has ridden more winners than any other jockey in Australian racing history still loves his job as much as ever and will be out to snare more feature race success in his own backyard at Scone on Friday and Saturday.
“That’s my job and I really love it,” Thompson said.
“I love the horses and I just like riding. That’s what keeps me going.
“As I keep saying, if I gave up this job I would have to find another one and I don’t want to find another one. I love this one too much.”
A Scone Cup winner aboard Drogheda in 1997, 54-year-old Thompson, who hails from Cessnock in the Hunter Valley, is hopeful of adding another aboard Star Of Octagonal on Friday.
“It definitely is something I look forward to,” he said of the two-day Scone Cup carnival.
“You could says it’s in my own backyard.
“I generally can ride a winner or two and I’ve won a Scone Cup before for Les Bridge, but it’s very hard racing and this year will be even harder with the terrific prizemoney on offer.
“It will be pretty hard to win a race but I’ll be giving it my best.”
Thompson, who notched his first race victory in 1973, says his number of winners currently sits at 3754 and he has 15 rides over the two-day carnival, headlined by Star Of Octagonal in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m).
“He won well at Hawkesbury last start and he has trained on well,” Thompson said.
“I’m sure he’ll run a very good race.”
Star Of Octagonal, who has topweight of 58kg, took out the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury last start with Thompson aboard.
Star Of Octagonal has had mixed fortunes at the Scone Cup carnival.
He won the inaugural Inglis 3YO Guineas in 2010 but finished last in the Cup 12 months ago.
The Todd Howlett-trained gelding is second favourite with TAB Sportsbet at $4.40 behind last start Randwick winner Lightinthenite ($2.90).
Thompson bagged a winning double on Scone Cup day last year including a victory for Port Macquarie trainer Jenny Graham.
He will again team with her in two races on Saturday’s program including the 3YO Fillies Handicap in which he partners Leviosa.
Thompson’s other rides include local filly Flying Fuji for trainer Greg Bennett in the $500,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas and Gold Coast-based mare Femina Fashion in the Listed Dark Jewel Classic.
