Trainer Jason Thompson on verge of claiming the top four Victorian sprint titles in The Phoenix

Trainer Jason Thompson will be out to put an exclamation mark on a record breaking year when Explicit and Excavation take their place in the $1.65m The Phoenix on Saturday night.

Adam Dobbin

2 min read

December 18, 2024 - 12:37PM

Seona, Sophie and Jason Thompson at The Phoenix box draw where Explicit will exit box eight Picture: Clint Anderson

CHAMPION trainer Jason Thompson will be in pursuit of a clean sweep of Victoria’s four major sprint titles when Explicit and Excavation launch into action in The Sportsbet Phoenix (525m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.

In a remarkable year, and one that is set to go down unrivalled, Thompson has won an amazing 11 group events, including the first three elite Victorian Group 1 races courtesy of Tim Zoo in the Australian Cup, Excavation in the Topgun and Explicit in the Melbourne Cup.

With The Phoenix now boasting Group 1 status, all that remains for Thompson to claim a historic ‘grand slam’ is victory on Saturday night, with the premier conditioner hoping either Explicit (box 8) or Excavation (box 3) can go one better than Postman Pat’s runner-up heroics in 2023.

RUNNER BY RUNNER GUIDE: GROUP 1 THE PHOENIX

Win, lose or draw, The Phoenix will serve as Explicit’s farewell to racing, with stud duties pressing large for the dual group 1 winning son of Bernardo.

“The preparation for both dogs has been faultless,” Thompson declared.

“Usually I’d be a bit worried going three weeks in between runs but both dogs have been up for a long time and are rock hard fit.

Explicit winning the Group 1 Melbourne Cup Picture: Clint Anderson

“Box eight for Explicit is perfect and the three for Excavation is ideal as well. He’s not a hard railer but wants to be down near the fence.

“We’ve had runners in The Phoenix each of the three years and finished second with Postman Pat last year but this lead up is as happy as I’ve been.

“There’s two group 1 winners in the field and they are our two and they’ve won two each.

“Just proper race dogs that step up and get the job done on the big occasion and I’m confident they can do that again on Saturday night.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if either of the two won; as long as one of them do.”

Explicit will race under the Awesome Lodge banner in The Phoenix while Excavation will fly the flag for another first timeslot holder in Aaron Bain Racing & Summit Bloodstock.

Victory in Saturday night’s showpiece would see Thompson’s 2024 prize money tally soar to an eye-watering $4.4m which would set a new Australasian record, surpassing the $4.3m banked by Tom and George Dailly in 2015.

The looming stakes record has been reached by triumph in some of the country’s biggest races, with the three Victorian majors going alongside wins in the G1 Temlee (Explicit), G1 Brisbane Cup (Flying Zulu) and G1 Adelaide Cup (Excavation).

“Looking back now on the year it’s hard not to say it’s the best crop of dogs we’ve had,” Thompson said.

Slot holder Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock will be represented by the Jason Thompson trained Excavation

“To win the races we have is great but The Phoenix is the one we’ve had our sights set on and to have two dogs of this caliber, at the peak of their form, gives you that confidence.

“If Explicit could go out a winner that would be great but after he won the Melbourne Cup this race now almost feels like a free swing.

“The pressure is off a bit. Not that he had anything to prove anyway.”

Superstar Explicit is the $3.30 favourite to annex The Phoenix from his box eight draw ahead of defending champion Schillaci at $4.40 from box one.

Topgun hero Excavation is on the next line at $6 from his box three draw.

***************************

GROUP 1 SPORTSBET THE PHOENIX

THE MEADOWS, SATURDAY NIGHT

1. Schillaci $4.40

2. Big Energy $7

3. Excavation $4.60

4. Sunset Frazier $7

5. Daysea’s Rory $51