By Ray Hickson
While some form experts are doubting the in-form Primitivo can post successive 2000m wins at Rosehill on Saturday, trainer John Thompson is a believer.
The four-year-old faces the task of carrying 59.5kg in the ATC Members Tours Handicap (2000m) and the general view is that the $2.60 with TAB is a bit on the skinny side.
Thompson said he resisted the temptation to take Primitivo to the Grafton Cup and preferred to keep him racing in his own class.
“He won well the other day and I think he is well placed,’’ Thompson said.
“He’s drawn a bit awkward but Jay (Ford) has ridden at his last couple of starts and he is the type of horse you need a ride on to get used to.
“Jay seems to have worked him out and hopefully he can keep the ball rolling.’’
The set up for Primitivo, who easily downed subsequent winner Wu Gok on June 22, is a little sticky from barrier 10 in a field with not a lot of obvious speed outside noted front-runner Dylan’s Romance.
Thompson said that’s Ford’s problem and he’s been happy to be guided by the jockey’s expertise on the horse.
Primitivo wins at Randwick on June 22
“Jay said to leave the Grafton Cup until next year, go through the grades and get some confidence and try to keep him winning,’’ Thompson said.
“You’re missing out on a few wins (by going to Grafton) but I think he will get further. I just leave it up to Jay, and however he wants to ride him.’’
Thy Kingdom Come makes his return in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1200m), where he's kept safe at $8 with TAB, and Thompson said the race is very much a starting point.
While the four-year-old has run first and second at his past two first-up attempts they were at 1350m so with a wide alley and 60kg the trainer said he’s just hoping for a positive effort.
“He’s going really well, it’s probably a bit short of his best distance but he should run well fresh,’’ he said.
“Sometimes the 1200m can be a little sharp for him but he seems to be going better than last prep.’’
Meanwhile, Doncaster Mile placegetter Dreamforce will trial at Randwick at the end of July as he prepares for a return on August 24.
Thompson said he’ll have two barrier trials and his first-up run will either be the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) or the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m).
“It’s only early days but he looks great and he’s working well,’’ he said.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting