Heavenly Victory Has Country King Aiming To Topple Oaks
Sun Herald
Sunday April 20, 2008
NO JOCKEY in the country has ridden more thoroughbred winners than Robert Thompson and now the "Country King" is chasing the AJC Australian Oaks.
Taking Thompson to Wednesday week's fillies classic at Randwick is Heavenly Glow, which blitzed rivals when tearing away with yesterday's group 1 Arrowfield Stud Stakes at Rosehill."I've ridden nearly 3300 winners," Thompson said yesterday before adding, "I'm closing in on 50 years of age.""I love it, I still enjoy riding and when you get to ride one late it is even better," he said. "How wouldn't it be?"And the choice of rider for Heavenly Glow has special significance for Taree-based trainer Ross Stitt, who shares in the ownership of the filly.He has been a major Thompson supporter."I've been riding for Ross Stitt for 25 years," Thompson said. "We are still close friends, we've never had an argument in our lives, he is a champion bloke."Thompson revealed Stitt paid $10,000 for Heavenly Glow at a Dubbo sale and said the horse immediately produced the goods. He said "she was getting weighted out of races up there" after five wins and Stitt unselfishly sent the horse to Rosehill trainer Allan Denham."You couldn't have got a better stable," Thompson said.Shortly after weighing in Thompson sidled up to Denham's father, Jack, and said: "Thanks boss, it was a steering job."From a wide barrier yesterday Thompson dropped to the rear and hugged the rail before peeling out around fancied runners at the 200m. Heavenly Glow ($5) then raced away to score by 33/4 lengths.Heavenly Glow easily accounted for Galileo's Daughter ($61) with a further long neck to the New Zealand filly Pentura ($5.50).Favourite Bernicia ($4.40), which had won all three of its starts, was ridden perfectly by Hugh Bowman but could manage only fifth.
© 2008 Sun Herald