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It has been almost 30 years since jockey Scott Galloway last wore the red and white silks of the Thompson family and at Grafton on Thursday he has the opportunity to do it again when Fabry starts in the John Carlton Cup.

Galloway was an apprentice jockey for the late Arthur Thompson for four years at Cessnock before he relocated to the Gold Coast. His red and white colours were worn to victory many times by Galloway, but until now he hasn’t had the chance to reconnect in a race ride with the Thompson family.

“It has been 28 years since I wore those colours. I won a lot of races in them as an apprentice and I’m really looking forward to riding for the family again,” he said.

So much has changed for all concerned since then, but even though time has gone fast the connection is still there from when Galloway was a youngster and the Thompson family were like family for him growing up.

Galloway said he recalled Robert Thompson riding many winners in Sydney and as an apprentice he would win races in the red and white silks at Newcastle and other tracks.

“Robert’s mother, his wife, sister and son all have a share in Fabry so it’s a nice connection,” he said. As for a return victory after so many years, Galloway said Fabry isn’t without a chance in one of the feature races at the carnival.

“I have watched his last couple of runs and his run the other day was good over 900 metres which is short of his best,” Galloway said. “He has a bit of a habit of being slow away so hopefully he begins well from a nice gate.”

Fabry has the statistics to add to his career record of seven wins and 13 placings from 28 starts. In 13 starts over 1200 metres, he has won five times and been placed as many times while he has a win and two seconds from five starts at Grafton.

The winner of the Carlton Cup will be exempt from the ballot for next Wednesday’s Ramornie Handicap which is a huge incentive for horses who may have otherwise failed to gain a start. The same opportunity will also be available for the winner of the Grafton Cup (2215m) where Galloway will ride last start Gold Coast placegetter Qabla.

“He was a bit unlucky last start. If he can run up to that run he has a great chance.”

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