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By Ray Hickson

Trainer John Thompson is convinced he has a smart youngster on his hands in unraced colt Supremo and has earmarked him as a horse to follow whether or not he makes his debut at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer John Thompson (Pic: Steve Hart)

The son of 2005 Australian Oaks winner Dizelle has been scratched from the last two city meetings and is due to step out in the Darley Handicap (1100m) this weekend but Thompson said he’s prepared to wait if the track doesn’t improve to his liking.

“I didn’t want to give him that experience on a heavy track at his first start,’’ Thompson said.

“He trialled really well on the firmer surfaces whereas after the last trial he had, he still went well and was having an easy trial, Nash (Rawiller) said he gives the feel because he has a lovely action he’d be better on a firmer surface.

“Hopefully (the track) keeps improving, but we won’t risk him.

“He’s a horse to follow, he’s a very nice colt. At this stage he is running but the track probably needs to come back a bit.’’

Supremo is a $10 chance with TAB after the early scratchings of Panna Cotta and September Run and he’s drawn the inside alley.

He won a trial back in December then reappeared to win a 742m heat at Randwick on May 5 and 10 days later, as Thompson alluded, had a soft time running third in a trial over the same trip.

“From day one he showed he has ability, he goes quite well,’’ he said.

“We just have to see how he goes in a race. His trials have been good, his work has been super, he’s just a quality colt.”

Thompson said if Supremo doesn’t run at Rosehill he could debut at Kensington on Wednesday.

All eyes will be on exciting filly Fituese as she aims to keep her unbeaten record this campaign intact in the Trapeze Artist @ Widden Handicap (1200m) where she’s stifling betting as the $1.65 favourite.

She ran faster time in winning the Listed Denise’s Joy (1100m) at Rosehill two weeks ago than the older horses in the Ortensia Stakes over the same course including a slick 10.99 final 200m (Punter's Intelligence).

“We thought she was going better than last time in and she has proven that,’’ he said.

“Not only has she been winning but she’s been running good times in doing it. I know she won a stakes race and this is a benchmark race but it is still for mine a step up.

“She is taking on some older horses and some horses that go well on their day so it is a challenge. We still have to tick that 1200m box and we also have to contend with the soft track.’’

The track condition, nor the 1200m for that matter, doesn’t overly concern Thompson about Fituese’s chances but he said you just need to see them ‘tick that box’.

“She’s gone well on the soft before but it might be wetter than she’s had before,’’ he said.

“I’d say I’m 100 per cent confident it will be fine. She’s so relaxed and nothing fazes her, a horse that relaxes like she does I’m sure she can stretch out in distance.”

Supremo runs third in a Randwick trial on May 15

Of Thompson’s other Rosehill runners he said Primitivo will likely need the run in the Lord Mayors Cup (2000m), plus he doesn’t seem to like Rosehill, while he’s expecting Almerheri to run a cheeky race in the Exceedance @ Vinery Handicap (1300m) if she gains a start.

“Almerheri was a bit disappointing in her runs the last time in and we found a wind problem so we’ve got that fixed. Her trials have been good and if she gets a run she will run well,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, classy colt Mamaragan returned from his break on Monday to begin his build up towards the Group 1 Golden Rose in September and maybe an Everest berth if he earns it.

Thompson said the Golden Slipper placegetter, last seen finishing third in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’, will likely have a couple of starts before the Golden Rose.

“He’s shown raw talent and just going on the breed, the Wandjinas, he’s a second season and the first season Wandjinas didn’t do a lot at two and as they turned three they started to improve and are winning races,’’ he said.

“If he’s the same and improves with maturity on what he’s done already we’re cooking with gas.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill Gardens meeting