Thompson aiming to cap off outstanding season with bang at Randwick on Saturday

Trainer John Thompson is looking to head into the new season full of momentum after a successful past 12 months with some strong chances at Randwick on Saturday.

Local trainer John Thompson is set to launch one of his spring hopefuls at Sydney’s last Saturday meeting of the 2024/25 racing season at Royal Randwick.

The concluding season has been fruitful for the popular, softly spoken trainer, his 55 winners has been his best haul of winners since 2019/20.

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“Looking back I’m happy with how things have gone,” Thompson said.

“The results in the past 12 months have been good.

“I think we are heading into the new season with a solid team of young two and three-year-olds.”

One of the stable’s best prospects will return from a spell on Saturday in the Keeneland September Yearling Sale 2YO Open Handicap (1100m).

Open Secret mixed it with some of the best of her generation during her only racing campaign.

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After winning on her home track on debut, the juvenile daughter of King’s Legacy, finished within two lengths of Rivellino and Within The Law in consecutive starts.

“She’s a talented filly and I’m really happy with how she’s coming up,” Thompson said.

“I always thought she’d develop into a nice three-year-old and I hasn’t seen anything to make me change my mind.

“She’s trialled up well and I’m looking forward to seeing how she performs.

“She’ll improve out of the run but I’m expecting her to be competitive.

“If she can win on Saturday, we’ll chase the three-year-old fillies races, probably starting with the Silver Shadow on Winx Stakes day.”

Open Secret has big things ahead this prep if she can live up to her trainer’s expectations starting on Saturday at Royal Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Thompson will then saddle up two runners in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m).

The stable’s leading chance is last year’s Four Pillars winner Kingston Charm which goes in off an unlucky second in a similar race two weeks ago.

“She’s a horse that tends to get back a bit and those types of horses always need a bit of luck,” he said.

“She’s going well and third up she’s pretty close to her peak now.

“It looks a nice race for her.”

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The stablemate Starphistocated has had three starts for Thompson for a win and two thirds in easier grade, but the trainer said the filly deserves a shot in Saturday company.

“She’s honest and done well,” he said.

“I think she’s been looking for the mile on a bigger track and that’s what she gets on Saturday.

“She’s at her peak so she sets up to run as well as she can and as I said she’s honest.”

Kingston Charm is well placed in the Midway on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

According to Thompson, Bundeena is one of his better chances in the ATC Thank You Trainers Benchmark 88 Handicap (1100m).

The Spirit Of Boom gelding was an impressive first-up winner at Royal Randwick 14 days ago when running away to score easily in Benchmark 78 grade.

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“Everything fell into place for him first-up but he was really good,” he said.

“I’m happy with how he’s going this prep and on Saturday he’s drawn perfectly again and a bit of moisture in the track won’t hurt his chances.

“This race is a bit stronger, but I do think he’s got upside so it’s going to be interesting to see how he lines up against them.

“I couldn’t be happier with how he’s going into the race.”

Rounding out Thompson’s team on Saturday are the lightly raced four-year-olds Opal Fields and Zouripper in the ATC Thank You Owners Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m).

Opal Fields steps up from midweek grade while Zouripper has had a short let-up since his last start in a Midway on June 5.

Bundeena is aiming up for back-to-back Randwick wins this weekend. Picture: Getty Images

“Opal Fields is going well enough at home to run well in a race like this so don’t underestimate her,” Thompson said.

“Zouripper is a horse that goes really well fresh. His first-up win at Kembla was a bloody good win.

“He had 10 days in the paddock since his last run, so he’s been freshened as that’s when he’s most effective.”

Heading into the new season Thompson nominated With Your Blessing and Open Secret as horses to follow out of his stable.

“With Your Blessing is a horse that is on the rise and not far away,” he said.

“He’s going well this prep and I’m hoping he can step up.

“I also looking forward to seeing how Open Secret runs on Saturday.

“She’s a filly that the best is still ahead of, and I like her a lot.”

Originally published as Thompson aiming to cap off outstanding season with bang at Randwick on Saturday