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By Julieanne Horsman

Three last-start winners will fly the flag for John Thompson Racing at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.

Leading the charge for the Randwick trainer is Invincible Knight who will line up in the $150,000 Civic Stakes (1350m) – one of two Listed races on the day. The other is the 2400m Winter Cup. “He’s going from top weight to bottom weight but I am keen to see how he goes against a higher class of horses,” Thompson said.

Invincible Knight was impressive at his most recent outing on 17th June in a Rosehill Gardens Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1350m.

He was second last as they turned for home and jockey Hugh Bowman had no choice but to go to the extreme outside and hope he had enough juice left in the tank.

Despite the Heavy 8 track and 61kgs on his back, Invincible Knight powered home to snatch victory from Pick Me Up, Pakaya Prince and Darci’s Affair who all finished within .08L of each other.

“I was sure he’d run home but to get up and win under those conditions was pretty good for him to do,” Thompson said.

“He pulled up well after the race and is ready to go again on Saturday.”

Invincible Knight takes a significant step up in class in the Civic Stakes and will enjoy a significant drop in weight as a result. He’ll go from 61kg to 53kgs which will be a welcome relief on the Soft 6 track.

“He’ll get back, he always does, and hopefully he will hit the line again,” Thompson said.

“If he performs, the Winter Stakes in a fortnight’s time is the natural progression.” Thompson will also saddle up Reneged in the 4YO & Up Benchmark 77 Handicap over 1500m.

The Mossman gelding won his last start over 1550m at Canterbury and is out to make the transition from Wednesday to Saturday class.

“It was good to see him win third up as he had no luck in the first two races this prep,” Thompson said.

“He won and won well.”

Three-year-old Duke Of Marmalade filly, Domed, rounds out the Thompson contingent heading to Rosehill Gardens. She has won her last two races, the most recent by a flared nostril.

Apprentice jockey Rachel King ducked and weaved through the field and despite running into a couple of dead ends, she managed to get her out and going just in time.

“She probably shouldn’t have won the other day but obviously I am glad she got the job done,” Thompson said.

“She’s a promising filly and is going through her grades easily.

“This is the next step and I am very happy with where she is at.”

View the nominations & form for Rosehill this Saturday here.