With top Melbourne jockey Craig Williams riding one of his two juvenile fillies at Randwick, country trainer Brett Thompson’s confidence has grown.
The Gulgong trainer was ringing around to find a jockey for Press Week when owner and breeder Tony Muollo sent a video of the filly’s trial to premier Melbourne jockey Williams.
“He jumped right on her. It’s great to have a good jockey,” Thompson said.
Thompson will be cheering on both two-year-olds, Press Week and Deviate, at Randwick on Saturday in the 1000 metre Gimcrack Stakes.
Deviate, owned Sandra and John Harding, was bought at the Magic Millions for $200,000 with hopes she could qualify for the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January.
“I’m feeling confident they will run good races. You never know what’s going to happen. A lot of them a very green,” Thompson said.
Both fillies were ridden by Winona Costin to win their respective trials at Newcastle last week, with Deviate improving from her first trial at Rosehill.
Thompson has a passion for working with two-year-olds.
“It’s the most exciting time of the year working with them and seeing if they show ability,” he said.
A shearer and publican in a former life, Thompson works his horses at Gulgong Racecourse with his family a large part of his operation.
Thompson believes the three fillies from the Peter and Paul Snowden stable – Catch Me, Mayaaseh and Satin Socks – will be hard to beat, but if his fillies win?
“We’ll be partying all night.”
