John Thompson confident import Jiayuguan will go the distance in Queensland Cup

A PREDICTION made by jockey Glyn Schofield is the reason imported mare Jiayuguan finds herself in Saturday’s 3200m Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm, having bypassed the Grafton Cup.

A PREDICTION made by experienced jockey Glyn Schofield is the reason imported mare Jiayuguan finds herself in Saturday’s 3200m Queensland Cup, having bypassed Thursday’s Grafton Cup.

Schofield was happy to cost himself a Grafton Cup mount as he recommended trainer John Thompson head further north with the dour staying mare.

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“Grafton was always my plan but Glyn Schofield rode her in a gallop last Saturday and told me she will excel when she gets to 3200m,” Thompson said.

“I knew the Queensland Cup was on so I threw in a nomination. I showed Glyn the nominations for this race and they looked pretty average and we both agreed she had to run in Brisbane.

“I asked Glyn to line her up with Murphy’s Delight, who I knew would be favourite and he just said ‘she’s got him covered.’ I hope he’s right.”

Jiayuguan races for the China Horse Club, who also race Group 1-winning mare First Seal with Thompson. Thompson said the goal has simply been to “win as many races as possible” with Jiayuguan and Saturday’s lacklustre-looking cup at Eagle Farm fits the bill.

“It took her six months to acclimatise,” he said. “She was just skin and bone when she arrived. She went through her grades really well last preparation and measured up against some pretty nice horses.

“She’s been a bit slow getting going this prep and I was a bit disappointed last start because I thought she was a real good chance. But there was no speed and they just walked, so it just didn’t pan out for her at all. Up to the 3200m, she might be a bit closer and get the right run this time.”

Jiayuguan should relish the step up to 3200m on Saturday. Picture: Jenny Evans

Backed by Schofield’s assessment, Thompson is confident of success on Saturday and shrugged off any suggestion the 57kg might anchor the mare.

Meanwhile, First Seal is about three weeks away from a trial after having surgery for a fractured splint bone following her autumn campaign. “It explained why she was ordinary at her last run,” Thompson said. “I don’t have a set plan for the spring. I will probably just go along the path of mares races and see how her form is.”

Thompson’s spring hopes have been boosted after inheriting classy stayer Sir John Hawkwood and stablemate Astronomos from the Queensland yard of David Vandyke.

“Sir John is certainly a nice horse to pick up and Astronomos has been gelded since his last run, so he’s probably got some upside too.”

Originally published as John Thompson confident import Jiayuguan will go the distance in Queensland Cup