Racing is renowned for being a great leveller and it was that and more for trainer John Thompson, who endured a roller coaster of emotions at Randwick on Saturday.
Thompson’s afternoon started on a bright note when More Prophets scored a deserved win in the Gow Gates Handicap (1500m).
However, tragedy struck just 40 mins later when his promising filly and Prime Thoroughbreds syndication Xtremetime had to be euthanased after suffering a fatal leg injury when she fell heavily in the final furlong of the Silver Shadow Stakes.
The Randwick horseman collected himself to saddle up Chat and Le Lude, who both finished unplaced in the Show County Quality a race later, before Dreamforce led and finished eleventh in the Group 1 Winx Stakes.
But Thompson’s afternoon took another, happier turn when Fituese, also raced by Prime Thoroughbreds, overcame a wide draw to score a barnstorming first-up victory in the Toy Show Quality (1100m).
Thompson described his day as “character building”.
“I feel for the Prime Thoroughbreds owners. It’s the highs and lows, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,” Thompson said.
“No-one, obviously, wants to see that happen. Thank God the riders are OK, unfortunately the filly wasn’t.
“But they were able to bounce back here with this lovely mare.”
Fituese had shown good promise last spring before struggling on rain-affected tracks in the autumn and she appreciated a good surface on Saturday.
She came from the widest alley in 16 and was a late pick-up for apprentice Jean Van Overmeire after Rachel King was stood down following a tumble from Brandenburg a race earlier.
“I gave him a two-second run down before the race after picking up the ride,” Thompson said.
“Gee, it was 11 out of 10 for the ride. I thought it would be hard from that gate. He did very well.”
Fituese ($12) settled worse than midfield before unleashing her run to beat Great News ($9.50) by a neck with Tailleur ($5.50) another 1-1/4 lengths away.
