‘He means a lot to us’: Trainer John Price dares to dream of another William Thomas success

Trainer John Price is daring to dream of another win with William Thomas on Saturday at Sandown.

William Thomas backers know the sequence.

Miss the start. Settle last or next to. Run on hard. Hope for the best.

More often than most, earn a decent cheque.

Character-building style aside, William Thomas has netted $699,150 prizemoney for trainer John Price and his sister, owner Shirley Prosser, with seven wins from 61 starts.

The nine-year-old gelding, named after the siblings’ late father, William Thomas, has been runner-up twice, placed third 16 times and finished fourth or fifth on 13 occasions.

“He’s been feeding most of the other buggers (horses in the stable) for years,” Price laughed.

“We have enjoyed this horse, my sister owns him, I train him, he’s named after my father … so he means a hell of a lot to us.”

William Thomas upheld the reputation last start at Sandown, charging from last to third and extended a winless streak to 41 starts, since the 2020 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes.

“I gave up being frustrated about him probably three preparations ago,” Price said.

“There’s no monkey on our back because he’s been a bloody good horse … we want to get him over $700,000 (prizemoney) and that might happen this week.

“Then we’ll look at winding him up over the next couple months … he’s in his twilight, I doubt very much you’ll see him once he turns 10, which is not far away.”

William Thomas at Flemington.

William Thomas is a $10 chance with TAB on Saturday in the 1000m Benchmark 78 behind Fasuto ($4.60), Port Albert ($5), Mrs Chrissie ($6), Bifrost ($7) and Perilous Fighter ($8.50).

“We’re looking forward to Saturday, he’s ready to go again,” Price said.

“He could just as easily win on Saturday as run another of his usual good races, we’ll accept whatever he does … he’s been a great old horse, sure he’s frustrating but we have learned to accept that because that’s how he is.”

Price would love to get another win with William Thomas, not only for his sister but the band of omen followers.

“I’ve had some marvellous phone calls, out of the blue, I would’ve had a dozen people say my (family member) was William Thomas and we always follow him,” Price said.

“The main one, and I’ve forgotten the gentleman’s name, but he lost a son, William Thomas, at about three months of age and (the family) always get together and watch this horse race, to me, that’s special in its own right.

“I’ve lost my contact details to him unfortunately, he’s from South Australia I think, I said to him if he’s ever in Victoria I’d appreciate it if he called in.”

William Thomas has thrived between runs on a tailored less is more program.

“He does lots of exercise, not a lot of hard work,” Price said.

Price trains only a small team of horses these days, more focused on buying and trading for clients.

“I’ve got a cruise pencilled in next week, after William Thomas runs, it will be about my third holiday in 60 years, I think I’ve earned it,” Price said.

“I’m not trying to wind up, I’m trying to wind down, so I’m in the same boat as William!”

Originally published as ‘He means a lot to us’: Trainer John Price dares to dream of another William Thomas success