He’s like a banknote that’s passed through many hands.
And Sydney trainer John Thompson hopes Signposted, his new addition to the stable, can provide a few when he runs at Rosehill on Saturday.
“I’ve only had him a month,” Thompson reveals. “He came from England. The owner from Hong Kong bought him and took him to David Hall in Hong Kong.
“He’s a bit of a wet tracker and Hong Kong was always firm tracks and he never went any good there. So the owner brought him to Melbourne to Peter Moody.
“Moods gave him one run – but, again, on a firm track – and he thought, ‘Run him through the winter where he’ll get some soft tracks.’”
In his third stable in 12 months, the four-year-old gelding by Rock Of Gibraltar will run in the Hyland Race Colours handicap over 1500m.
He’ll be ridden by Singapore-based hoop Michael Rodd from Barrier 6.
“The horse goes really well, he just needs to get to 2000m. He ran good first-up (over 1350m at Rosehill on April 23), but he’ll run better over 1500 and he’ll get better again as he gets to 2000m,” Thompson says.
“He’s a horse to follow through the winter, when he gets on a nice heavy over 2000, he’ll be a good thing.”
Thompson also has Tremec in the Lord Mayor’s Cup over 2000m.
The seven-year-old son of Zabeel will again face last-start conqueror Lady Le Fay, as well as last start placegetters Weary and Destiny’s Kiss.
“He’s a bit fitter – he’s coming right. He’s probably a horse that wants 2400m, but he’s definitely fitter with a couple of runs under his belt.”
Mitchell Bell takes the ride from Thomas Huet; Thompson is honest when giving a reason for the change.
“I’m looking for a better ride than last time, he was slaughtered,” he says.
“But he’s going well, he’s a horse that’s not far away from doing something. He’s in good shape, he just needs the right circumstances.”
