John Thompson keen to test $101 debut winner Clear Proof in Rosebud

A field of eight contenders have been revealed for the $200,000 Rosebud this Saturday and John Thompson is hopeful his unbeaten colt can make a name for himself.

Clear Proof snuck under the radar of punters on debut but his trainer John Thompson has always been convinced he’s got a nice horse and is now ready to test the unbeaten colt at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.

The son of Justify was a $101 outsider when he won at Randwick Kensington on July 17 but defied those odds to salute in convincing fashion in his maiden start.

• Queensland rocket set to fire in Sydney for Joe Pride

The performance was less of a surprise to Thompson, who has always held Clear Proof in high regard and is eager to challenge his promising youngster this spring.

It’s why he will feature in a small but select field of eight contenders for the Listed $200,000 Rosebud (1100m) this weekend.

“From day one he has shown us he’s had a touch of class,” Thompson said.

“He’s a quality horse but there is not hiding at this level.”

Clear Proof was an excellent winner on debut at Randwick Kensington last month. Picture: Bradley Photos

The strength of Clear Proof’s debut win has only been enhanced since the midweek event with placegetters Axius and Dawn Service both winning their next starts at Canterbury and Hawkesbury respectively.

“The second and the third horse have definitely franked the form and he’s come out of it really good,” Thompson said.

“He had a week out at the farm to freshen up but he is going good.

“I just hope we don’t get too much rain.”

• ‘Real deal’: Black Caviar relation dominates on debut

Rosehill was rated in the soft range on Wednesday with patchy showers forecast in the lead up to race day.

In-form jockey Chad Schofield will continue his partnership with Clear Proof.

Clear Proof opened as an $11 chance for the Rosebud but had drifted out to $19 in the early hours of TAB betting.

The Chris Waller-trained Gatsby’s ($2.80 to $3.50) was an easing favourite for the feature event, which will also feature the likes of Tarpaulin ($3.90), Brave One ($5.50), High Octane ($6.50) and Golden Gift winner Shangri La Express ($7).

Originally published as John Thompson keen to test $101 debut winner Clear Proof in Rosebud