John Thompson won’t be surprised to see Primitivo defy his double-figure quote at Randwick on Saturday, despite the fact his main campaign target is still two weeks away.
The six-year-old will tackle the Keith Free OAM Handicap (1800m), en route to next month’s Listed Grafton Cup (2350m), but Thompson says the horse is in such good fettle, he expects him to give the Randwick race a shake.
Primitivo resumed with a fifth to Saturday’s rival Opacity over a mile at Randwick earlier this month and has continued to thrive between runs.
“He’s never been going better,” Thompson said.
“His two trials were great, his first-up run over a mile on a heavy track the other day was a good run. He just kept steadily making ground up the straight and for a 2400 metre horse, it was a good run.
“He’s come on from it. His work on Saturday and Tuesday was good work.
“It is a stepping stone to Grafton, that’s what he’s aimed at, but just on his work I know he’s going to run well and he looks amazing.”
Primitivo was a $23 chance with TAB fixed odds on Friday and with four placings from seven second-up runs, his record suggests he is capable of a cheeky performance.
Emerging Chris Waller-trained stayer Great House is an early $3 Neds favourite for the race, just ahead of Opacity ($3.40) who should again relish the rain-affected track conditions.
