In-form Thompson sets sights on Brisbane
09 May, 2008
Fresh from his Group One AJC Oaks victory aboard Heavenly Glow, jockey Robert Thompson will test the Queensland Derby credentials of promising stayer Dalzar at Doomben on Saturday.
The well-travelled hoop partnered the Douglas Duryea-trained three-year-old for the first time in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes last start and the pair combined for an impressive victory.
However, it was only through the deeds of Heavenly Glow during the Sydney autumn carnival that Thompson came to be offered the mount on Dalzar.
"The owners said they heard an interview with me after Heavenly Glow won the Arrowfield (Stud Stakes) and decided to give me a call as I was already going up to Brisbane to ride The Jackal," Thompson said.
"Dalzar's got a turn of foot about him and he hit the line strongly last start.
"If he keeps improving, which you hope they do, he hits the line well enough to suggest he'll enjoy a bit of a trip."
Duryea is aiming Dalzar towards the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June and Thompson has made it clear he is happy to stick with the colt throughout his winter carnival campaign.
Dalzar has won two of his nine starts, with his other victory coming at the Sunshine Coast three runs back, and Thompson says the colt is still learning.
"The trainer said to me before I rode him the other day, `I know he's only won one race but he goes alright and he hasn't had a lot of luck'," Thompson said.
"He's quite highly strung, even the other day he got a bit upset and sweated up but the trainer says he can do that a bit.
"He can be his own worst enemy."
Thompson will also be aboard the Paul St Vincent-trained The Jackal for his clash with striking gelding Apache Cat in the BTC Cup (1200m).
Apache Cat is the dominant $1.40 favourite to claim his fourth successive Group One victory and while Thompson isn't predicting an upset, he warns anything can happen on race day.
"There is that old saying in racing that if you're not in it, you can't win it so you never know," he said.
"My horse is race fit now and so long as the weather stays fine - he's a duffer in the wet - he will run a good race.
"It's D-day for him tomorrow.
"If he runs well Paul will keep him going against the really good horses, if he doesn't run well he'll probably drop him back against the B-graders."
The Jackal is a $21 chance for the BTC Cup while Dalzar was at $9 with TAB Sportsbet to win the Group Three Doomben Classic (1615m).
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