John Thompson came away from the midweek Sydney meeting boasting a perfect strikerate and he hopes to parlay that into Saturday metropolitan success at Rosehill.
The Randwick trainer had two runners at Randwick’s Kensington card on Wednesday with juvenile Clear Proof ($101) landing a boilover win in the Castelvecchio At Arrowfield Plate (1100m) before Bundeena ($3.70 fav) backed it up in the James Squire Handicap (1100m).
Despite the starting price, Thompson wasn’t shocked to see Clear Proof score on debut saying the Justify youngster had shown talent at home and the addition of blinkers on race day had focused his energy.
“He has just been a bit colty and a bit silly and trialling on heavy tracks every trial, which he hates,” Thompson said.
“Back on better ground and the blinkers made him switch on.
“He has needed the time. I thought he’d get to the races last prep but he didn’t, he went a bit ‘shiny’ (shine sore) but he’s a nice colt.”
Thompson is also banking on blinkers to bring out the best in stablemate Jojo Was A Man when he contests Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge (1500m).
The six-year-old has been a lesson in patience this preparation, Thompson adding the shades to his gear last start when he finished sixth to Saturday’s rival Tamerlane on a heavy track in the Winter Stakes (1400m).
Thompson saw positive signs in that effort and with an improving Rosehill surface on Saturday, he is hoping Reece Jones can get the best out of JoJo Was A Man.
“I’m very happy to have Reece back on him because he has been doing some work on him and I think the horse is on that upward spiral,” Thompson said.
“He’s had one run in the blinkers, and I think he’ll go better the second time in them.
“He goes better on top of the ground too, so a better track will really help.”
JoJo Was A man will be one of two Rosehill runners for the stable, alongside With Your Blessing in the TAB Handicap (1300m).
The latter is also part of Thompson’s blinker brigade, the shades going back on the sprinter last start when he ran an improved race for third behind Contemporary.
With Your Blessing will be partnered by Chad Schofield, who combined with Thompson for Wednesday’s Kensington track double.
