Trainer John Thompson has been adamant for the past couple of months that More Prophets is going better than her form suggests and at Scone on Saturday the mare will finally have her chance to prove it.
Trainer John Thompson.
The six-year-old signalled she had returned in order with a pair of close fourths in mares Group company in February then the barrier gods intervened and Thompson said they have contributed to the form guide reading ‘700’ for her last three starts.
In the Coolmore Classic, More Prophets clocked the fastest last 600m of the Group 1 running 34.26 into seventh after jumping from gate 13 of 14; in the Emancipation two weeks later she finished 11th (drew 14 of 14) but clocked the third fastest last 600m of 33.75 (Punter’s Intelligence).
Thompson was elated when the mare drew gate six in the Group 3 $200,000 Emirates Park Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) saying it’s worth lengths to her chances of a breakthrough win.
“She just needs to draw well and be three lengths closer in the run, and she’ll finish three lengths closer and you’re in the placings,’’ Thompson said.
“She keeps running well, she keeps hitting the line, it’s just luck of the draw with the barriers.
“She’ll be first half of the field from a good draw.”
More Prophets, whose last win was the 2021 Mona Lisa Stakes, is headed for the breeding barn later this year though she was meant to bow out a year ago but failed twice to get in foal to Pierro.
Thompson said since her last start in the Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) three weeks ago More Prophets, $12 with TAB on Wednesday, has ticked over nicely and, as she’s been fast away of late, expects jockey Reece Jones to be able to make some use of the barrier.
“Reece galloped her on Tuesday and he’s riding her so he knows she’s going better than the form says,’’ he said.
Purple Sector kicks off another campaign in the Listed $160,000 Scone Equine Hospital Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) and he’s anticipating a solid resumption from the seven-year-old.
He kicked off last prep with a close second to Old Flame and also chased home the likes of Top Ranked and Diamil in three seconds from his first four runs.
“He just ran into a couple of good horses. It’ll be a positive return, it’s a matter of having a bit of luck in running,’’ he said.
“He trialled well the other day and he runs well fresh. He’s in great order and it looks like he’s going to get a dry track.”
Thompson said With Your Blessing will likely take his place in the Muswellbrook Ford Handicap (1100m) despite drawing the outside, he raced consistently last time in and with some luck can be competitive fresh.
– Racing NSW
