Brad Davidson previews the NSW meeting at Goulburn on Thursday

JOHN Thompson’s attention will turn to Goulburn on Thursday but it will soon shift back to his stable star First Seal as her build up to the spring carnival continues next week.

John Thompson will send a strong team to Goulburn on Thursday. Picture: Mark Evans

JOHN Thompson’s attention will turn to Goulburn on Thursday but it will soon shift back to his stable star First Seal as her build up to the spring carnival continues next week.

The Randwick trainer will saddle-up as many as 10 runners across seven races at Goulburn and singled out three for punters to follow on Thursday.

“Fabvier (race 3) is probably the best of them and she is a really nice filly,” Thompson said. “She has drawn wide but she will go forward and make her own luck.

WALLER WON’T LET RAIN DAMPEN WINX’S PARADE

IRISH DUO HEAD WEIGHTS FOR CAULFIELD CUP

“Imperator Augustus (race 8) is dropping back in grade and he always improves a lot with a run under his belt. He was out in the worst part of track (at Newcastle Beaumont first-up) and the fence was like lightning.

“Bridle Lane (Race 2) is up to the mile for the first time and she is looking for that desperately.”

Thompson is hopeful of landing a few winners at Goulburn before his focus returns to First Seal, who is set to trial at Randwick on Monday.

The Group 1 winning-mare has stacks of ability but two “weird” injuries have restricted her to just four starts in the past 16 months.

Thompson revealed First Seal would be retired to stud if she suffers another proper setback this spring but he is hopeful she will hold up this campaign.

“The good side of it is the injuries she has had are a bit weird and the first one (growth in foot) was cut out and the last one (shattered splint bone) was cut out as well, so, technically, she should be fine,” he said. “It’s not like a tendon that is still there and has a weak point.

“We will just judge it each run but she looks fantastic and her work has been good and she is sound. She will resume in the Golden Pendant and her main goal is the Myer Classic.”

Top mare First Seal will trial at Randwick on Monday. Picture: Simon Bullard

Thompson might have lost Honesta (stud) and Hooked to Victorian trainer Wez Hunter but he still has a few bullets to fire this spring.

Along with First Seal, he has nominated three horses for the Melbourne Cup in Orbec, Sir John Hawkwood and Danjeu. He also has Zanbagh and promising filly Blowing Kisses heading towards the spring carnival.

“She is a nice filly (Blowing Kisses) who has had one start for a win and she seems to have taken the next step,” Thompson said. “She will probably trial on Monday as well and we will target some fillies races with her and hopefully give her a stakes run or two and see how she measures up.

“Sir John Hawkwood and Orbec are in good shape. Danjeu is probably not up to their level but he can stay.”

Imperator Augustus (white cap) will be hard to beat at Goulburn. Picture: Mark Evans

BRAD DAVIDSON’S BEST BETS

BEST BET: IMPERATOR AUGUSTUS (Race 8, No. 1)

Hit a brick wall at the 200m mark first-up but he never excels fresh and his second-up record is much better. Drawn to get a lovely run here and looks well suited in this grade.

NEXT BEST: FABVIER (Race 3, No. 2)

Lightly-raced filly who has finished in the minor placings at both runs this campaign. She only just missed at Newcastle’s Beaumont track second-up and John Thompson did label her as the best of his 10 runners on Thursday.

OTHER BET: ESSENCE PREVAIL (Race 1, No. 6)

Didn’t seem to get around Gosford last start but he won two on the trot before that at this track. Drawn the inside here and he represents some value around the $5.50 mark with TAB.

THE EXOTICS

ALL UP: Race 1, No. 6 ESSENCE PREVAIL (place) into Race 2, No. 10 ONLY IN RED (place).

JOCKEY TO WATCH: TYE ANGLAND

Angland has made a strong start to the new season and has booted home 11 winners from his past 50 rides. Angland has six rides Thursday, including favourite She Brings in race 1.