Cummings foreman moves to uphold family tradition
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday August 21, 2009
MASTER trainer Bart Cummings's Sydney lieutenant John Thompson finishes up with the "Cups King" on Saturday after eight years as foreman.Thompson is set to become a third generation trainer after signing on with Nathan Tinkler's Patinack Farm operation.He begins on Monday but will be at Randwick on Saturday where Cummings has his AJC Australian Derby winner Roman Emperor returning from a spell in the Show County Quality."He is going super," Thompson said. "He's a derby winner which can be expected to sprint well fresh."Thompson expects an improved showing from stablemate Javasea in the MTA Pre Purchase Inspections Handicap."He won well and then went terrible but he did end up with two black eyes that day when racing on a heavy track," Thompson said. "He has barrier trialled and had an exhibition gallop since and the blinkers go on."Cummings-owned and bred filly Sunday Rose lines up in the Silver Shadow Stakes after finishing fourth first-up behind Shellscrape in the San Domenico Stakes."She was supposed to be ridden a bit quieter, she ran through to do something but knocked up," Thompson said.The Silver Shadow sees the return of Gai Waterhouse's boom filly More Joyous and Silver Slipper conqueror Melito. "I saw More Joyous work on Tuesday morning and I don't think anything will beat her," Thompson said. "She has come back bigger, stronger and better."Thompson's father, Vic, who used to train for Jack and Bob Ingham's Woodlands Stud, saddles up Lions Den in the Wave FM Nights With Alice Cooper Handicap at Kembla Grange on Saturday.Waterhouse plans partyGai Waterhouse will not hear of More Joyous being beaten, but racing's first lady is more interested in the coming birthday party.Waterhouse is staging a bash at the Randwick meeting on September 2 and has declared it "Gai's Mad Hatter Birthday Party".Waterhouse, who would not divulge her age, has invited members of the Roosters league team along with the Swans and a host of others."There will be show day bags," Waterhouse said. "David Jones is going to give away gift vouchers, I've even got Robbie [husband] giving away free betting vouchers."It is the Ovarian Council's auction day and I want everyone, families, the kids to come along and enjoy the party. Everyone has to wear a hat."Waterhouse's horse of the year Theseo is back in full work at Randwick after a set back. Theseo is bound for the Cox Plate.Brown's hopes highCorey Brown is looking forward to riding Melito for the first time in Saturday's Silver Shadow at Randwick and the Gerald Ryan-trained filly is set to clash again with More Joyous."Melito has trialled good without overdoing it, and I hope she comes back a little better than last preparation," Brown said."She mixed it with the best two-year-olds last season and did win a Silver Slipper. If she finds that form she is going to be right in it."Brown has rides in seven of the eight races including Racing To Win in the Warwick Stakes and the Anne-Marie Ruttley-trained Bryannbo's Gift in the Show County Quality."We all know what Racing To Win is capable of while Anne-Marie's small team is winning plenty of races of late," Brown said.First raider arrivesThe first of the international runners for the Melbourne Cup carnival is due to arrive in Melbourne on Saturday.Singapore mare Jolie's Shinju, a winner of the Singapore Derby and Patron's Bowl, both at group 1 level, is due to start in the Dato Tan Chim Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 12. Jolie's Shinju has been nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne cups and the Cox Plate.Meanwhile, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Changingoftheguard blew the start and came from last when second as favourite in the Ebor, Europe's richest handicap, on Wednesday night. The four-year-old is $17 in the Melbourne Cup.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
