Image: Darren Winningham
Ben Thompson is in high demand in New Zealand, and he will make the trip south for seven rides at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The Brisbane-based jockey turned heads in New Zealand when he teamed up with Liam Birchley to train Dream Rica to victory in the NZ$1 million Karaka Millions 2YO on January 24, and things have gone from there.
“The rides I did this weekend were purely from around Karaka,” Thompson explains.
“The Auckland Racing Club showed an interest in me coming. Obviously Queensland is my main priority, but it seemed like a good time to come over for The Jewels and their lead-up races in Queensland… so the bottom line was this was a good opportunity to get back there.”
Thompson received plenty of support from top coaches during Saturday’s meeting. He has three rides for the Mark Walker/Sam Bergerson training partnership, two rides for Stephen Marsh, one ride for the Shaun Richie/Colm Murray training partnership and one for the Barry Donoghue stable.
This spread of rides includes mounts in all the main races of the day… the Avondale Guineas, the NZ$600,000 Nation Otaki Maori WFA Classic, the Avondale Cup and the NZ$1 million New Zealand Oaks.
“I’m not going to choose a particular horse on Saturday,” Thompson continued. When interest was expressed in my return, along with my manager, we first contacted Mark Walker and Stephen Marsh and when they also expressed interest, I happily made myself available and committed to the meeting… which was not for any horse in particular, just for the day itself.
“I rode for both Stephen Marsh and the Walker/Bergerson combination on Karaka Day, so it’s good to be working with them again. Hopefully I’m on the right track for them and the other trainers.”
‘You never know where these opportunities can lead. It’s all about building relationships.
“I rode for Mark Walker when I was in Singapore, so that created an association which, I’m sure, helped me rejoin Karaka and now again on Saturdays.
“It’s like anywhere else, you know… when you ride for leading trainers it gives you a lot of confidence, so I’m very lucky to be able to work with these trainers. Obviously when I’m abroad or on the Australian coast I can ride with a light weight which helps.
“Hopefully luck will be on our side again and we can experience a little joy.”
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