Thompson’s heroics land Newmarket ride
BEN Thompson may have lost the ride on Uncommon James, but the in-form hoop believes his maiden Group 1 victory in the Oakleigh Plate last month landed him the ride on Newmarket Handicap featherweight Beunos Noches on Saturday.
In a case of racing’s sliding doors, Thompson received a late call up to ride the Matthew Smith-trained speedster in the time-honoured sprint as he looks to land his second Group 1 in as many weeks.
As late as last week, Thompson expected to be riding in Brisbane on Saturday, but that quickly changed after a phone call from Smith, asking if he could ride the colt at 50.5kg. A classy Thompson said he would be “forever grateful” to Uncommon James and his connections after their Oakleigh Plate heroics, and says the win put his name up in lights to compete at the top level.
“You can be winning plenty of races in your own back yard, but until you’re winning at the top level, you are unproven,” Thompson said. “To win a race at the top level, I presume that is what has given the owners confidence to put me on in a Newmarket.
“Hopefully Uncommon James goes to The Galaxy and runs super, hopefully I get my turn back on him again, but I will be forever grateful to the horse and the connections for that opportunity on him.”
Thompson made a flying visit to Sydney earlier this week to get a feel of Buenos Noches and says he will have no issues wasting down to 50.5kg for the ride on Saturday.
“The last month has been a whirlwind – with Uncommon James I have always had my finger on the pulse with what he is doing because of our history together, but this horse just came from nowhere,” he said. “It came to light on Friday with the horse looking like he’d get a light weight, it was all confirmed a few days later on the Sunday.
“I flew to Sydney on Monday night and galloped him on Tuesday, it is good to get a feel of any horse whether it is going to a BM 58 or a Group 1, so you know what is under the hood.
Buenos Noches is a $12 chance with TAB after drawing the ideal barrier nine.