Hoop’s quarantine quandary
ABOUT to embark on a new riding career in Queensland and reunite with his partner and fellow jockey, Stephanie Thornton, ex-Victorian hoop Ben Thompson has only one problem – too much food.
Thompson drove up to Queensland last week and, after successfully obtaining several COVID-19-related permits, he is in mandatory quarantine in a Surfers Paradise hotel until August 20.
Boredom isn’t a problem.
Not yet, anyway.
But there is another issue. Newcomers to Queensland must pay for their own hotel quarantine stay, which was fine by Thompson.
But the package has come with some unexpected and regular surprises that probably aren’t ideal for a jockey.
“I’m surrounded by the same four walls 24-7, but breakfast, lunch and dinner is all included, and to be honest I probably should make them aware that I’m a jockey because I get given that much food I can’t eat it, it’s ridiculous,” Thompson laughed.
“The food has been very good but there’s just too much of it.
“It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind. I crossed the border on Thursday afternoon and got directed straight to hotel quarantine in Surfers Paradise.
“I don’t have much exercise gear; I’ve got my own skipping rope but that’s about it.
“Fellow jockey Patrick Moloney had to hotel quarantine when he returned from Singapore and he gave me some tips.
“He got me onto doing some workout videos.”
Young gun Thompson rode with success in Victoria before a 12-month riding stint in Singapore, returning to Victoria this year.
But separation from Thornton, who has been kicking some goals since relocating to the Sunshine State to ride, was the driving force in Thompson’s move north.
Thompson has also watched as other former Victorian-based riders have enjoyed success in Brisbane.