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By Tony Megahey

Multiple regional premiership trainer Brett Thompson is close to riding again after a broken leg and is primed to continue his dominance in the traditional Narromine Digger’s Cup at Monday’s booming TAB meeting.

Thompson has big numbers and form throughout Narromine’s seven-race TAB meeting and also at the Merriwa Cup meeting on Saturday.

Brett rode trackwork with his sons Ben and Kurt until a young horse reared and fell on him in early February, and he’s only been mobile for a short time as they share the workload at Narromine and Merriwa.

Attalea (Jacke Pracey-Holmes): "You’ve almost got to ride him like a cowboy." Image by Bradley Photographers

The 2DU/ZOOFM Narromine Cup is worth $22,000 at 1300m and the Morgan’s Merriwa Cup $17,000 (1350m).

“We’ve some real nice chances both days, I might get greedy and have a crack at both Cups, they’ve been good to me over the years,” Brett quipped.

“From memory, Iwilldoit won the Narromine Cup twice and He Went Whoosh and Dark Mojo also won it. It’s top country prize-money.

“I’ve got Sugar Dance with Greg Ryan and Attalea in at Narromine. I’ve also accepted with Attalea for Merriwa. It looks an easier race, so I’ll work that one out with the owner.

“We love it this time of the year, best racing days you can get in the bush. Top fields big crowds - those great people who support the Cups every season.

“And mate, especially if you get to celebrate winning a Cup at the town pubs.”

Thompson a former publican and sheep and cattle farmer, assessed the Narromine Cup form.

“As strong as I’ve seen it. The top trainers, stack of open company and winning form.

“Sugar Dance is at the top of his game, he’s drawn wide but he’s still fresh from a nice run at ‘1000’ first-up.

“We’ll go forward there and nobody rides Narromine like Greg. And Attalea, you’ve almost got to ride him like a cowboy.

“Dig him up and keep pressuring him and he’ll keep grinding at the one pace. No change of gears him. But I’ve never had anything tougher.

“He’s drawn OK but wherever we go, he’ll run us a race.”

Brett considers his best value at good odds is lightly-raced Beau Zariz in the opening maiden, but with caution.

“Greg wanted to ride him off a really nice trial but was booked for one of Rod Northam’s (Shesafan) so that could be a leg up there.  And one of Cameron Crockett’s won the trial we were in.”

Thompson fancies the chances of Tropicana Lass in a follow-up maiden.

“She’s a consistent on-pacer, she’s drawn OK and she’ll be strong at ‘1600’ because she’ll run ‘2000’."

At present Narromine is rated a good 3 track rating with fine weather predicted.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Narromine here