Australian Racing Hall of Fame jockey Robert Thompson could have had six rides at Newcastle but instead has headed to Sydney to ride Lasszou for his close friend, trainer Jeremy Sylvester.
The five-year-old gelding ($11) won the Highway Handicap by half a length on the heavy 8 track at Canterbury on Saturday.
Thompson has ridden more winners than any other Australian jockey and Lasszou’s victory was No.4222 for the durable 58-year-old.
Sylvester was so confident in Lasszou he had no trouble convincing the Group One-winning jockey to go to Sydney to ride him on Saturday.
“He could have had half-a-dozen rides in Newcastle but he said he wanted to come here and ride him,” Sylvester said.
The trainer said the wet track was a plus for the gelding.
“He loves the wet. He’s a swimmer for sure,” Sylvester said.
The Cessnock-based trainer took on Lasszou in April 2015 and the gelding secured his maiden win the following month.
“He was a bit of a non-winner earlier on when I got him but he’s sort of settled in my environment,” Sylvester said.
“His last prep was good. This prep he’s really come on in leaps and bounds.”
Lasszou settled in the second half of the field before Thompson found a gap at the 300m.
The gelding has now won four races, all with Thompson, so he is ineligible for any more Highway Handicaps.
His next stop will be Brisbane.
“I am taking a few up there to race in the warmer weather,” Sylvester said.
