Record breaking hoop Robert Thompson will reunite with locally-trained hope Prince Of Capers this Thursday for a shot at the 2013 Hawkesbury Gold Cup.
Prince Of Capers (outside) is a good chance in Thursday's Hawkesbury Gold Cup. Photo: Steve Hart.
Trainer Tony McEvoy confirmed that veteran jockey Thompson, who holds the Australian record for most winners with over 3,890, will be back aboard Arena gelding Prince Of Capers for their run in the $150,000 Group 3 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).
It will be a reunion of two veterans with Thompson, 55, last seen aboard the eight-year-old galloper in early June.
They won that race too with a narrow victory over Merlin Mustang in the 1800m Rosehill handicap.
The consistent Prince Of Capers has their 55th career run this week and will be out to finally break their black type maiden.
They come off a nice run in the Coffs Harbour Cup over the same distance (1600m) on August 1.
Ridden by Hugh Bowman there they did well to finish just over two lengths away third behind Pepperwood in the Coffs Harbour clash when carrying 57kg from gate 11 of 13, an effort that impressed McEvoy.
“I was delighted with his last start third in the Coffs Harbour Cup on August 1 when a wide barrier didn’t help his chances,” he told the Barossa Herald.
“He has worked well since and Robert Thompson, who won on him at Rosehill Gardens on June 1, has accepted the ride again.”
For the Hawkesbury Cup Prince Of Capers has again drawn wide with barrier 10 of 10 but will relish the drop back down to the 54kg minimum.
It’s a crack line-up for this year’s Cup too with other notable acceptors including recent Civic Stakes winner Mic Mac (59kg), the resuming Gai Waterhouse-trained stayer Julienas (59kg), Chris Waller’s Winter Challenge champ Coup Ay Tee (54.kg) and last year’s Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner Darci Be Good (54kg).
Bede Murray’s Darci Brahma gelding Darci Be Good had the same weight and jockey (Kathy O’Hara) aboard when they won the race 12 months ago.
They have failed to enter the winners’ stall since however and will be out to improve on their first-up eighth when beaten three lengths by Coup Ay Tee in the Winter Challenge last start.
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