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By Ray Hickson

Trainer John Thompson sees no reason to change a winning formula when Thy Kingdom Come chases successive wins for the first time in his career at Randwick on Saturday.

An inspired ride by James McDonald at the December 21 meeting on the Kensington track saw the gelding drive to the lead and post a smashing 4-3/4 length win.

While Thompson couldn’t forecast replacement rider Linda Meech adopting tearaway tactics in #theraces Handicap (1500m) he just doesn’t want to strike any misfortune.

“I dare say it will be a positive ride. We need to rule out the bad luck by going forward and making our own,’’ Thompson said.

“He’s always had the ability, when Kerrin (McEvoy) rode him at Warwick Farm he was held up and didn’t get a crack at them. The other day James let him roll and he was too good.’’

The five-year-old clearly relished his free-running role as Punters Intelligence shows he actually ran the fastest last 600m in 34.67 so it was impossible for him to be beaten.

Thy Kingdom Come's easy Kensington win on December 21

Thompson said the fact the runner-up Love Shack Baby has won twice since that race is encouraging.

Thy Kingdom Come, $2.25 with TAB, spent a week after that win on the water walker for a small freshen up and has been back to his usual routine for the past two weeks.

“He’s done well since that run and he’s worked very well this week. The race is well within his grasp,’’ the trainer said.

Sweet Deal was narrowly denied a hat-trick when she went down in a two-horse war with Redouble two weeks ago and Thompson sees no reason why she can’t be a force in the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1400m).

“She’s been honest and running well,’’ he said.

“Her form has been great this time in. She can race forward but it doesn’t matter with her, she’s done well between runs.’’

Thompson said if Randwick remains in the soft range he can see a big improvement from $81 outsider Reneged in the Autumn Carnival On Sale Handicap (1800m).

The gelding ran last in the same race as Sweet Deal at his first run back and Thompson said he’s looking for more ground.

“He couldn’t keep up the other day so we’ve gone to the 1800m second up and it will help that Randwick won’t be hard,’’ he said.

“He likes a soft track so that will help his chances. He’s unbeaten on heavy tracks but we’re not going to get there. He’s probably not an 80/1 chance over 1800m on a soft track.’’

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's meeting at Royal Randwick