Backing up strong performances in Coonamble and Narromine in his two most recent starts, Brett Thompson's Slatey Bay was able to spring a surprise on the local favourite and salute in the Class 2 Showcase Handicap in Wellington on Sunday.
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While it wasn't a resounding victory, with the four-year-old gelding just clearing local Wellington trainer Michael Mulholland's Universal Thief, ridden by hometown hero Kath Bell-Pitomac and Divine Jewel, jockeyed by Wellington born Greg Ryan, there was never any doubt in Thompson's mind that a rejuvenated Slatey Bay would prove hard to beat.
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"He's had some issues and it took us a long time to work it out, but we found it out and we fixed it and got him right," Thompson told Sky Racing's Thoroughbreds after the successful effort.
"I couldn't believe it when nobody tipped him and not just because of Mick [Mullholand]." Thompson said.
"But not just Mick, it was the papers and everyone."
Divine Jewel entered the race as the favourite, but finished a tight third behind Universal Thief, with Slatey Bay crossing the line just a head in front of the two stablemates.
Despite Universal Thief having a tight lead at the head of the three front-running horses, Slatey Bay took a strong inside line around the final turn to storm home in winning fashion, outpacing the other two leaders by just enough to make sure the win stayed with Thompson's stable.
"If you go and have a look at his form, Bartley reckoned his horse, Tolemac, couldn't be beaten in Coonmable and he ran and won the horse pretty easy yesterday, Cameron Crockett's horse, they thought would win at Coonamble as well and he won after that, then the other day in Narromine, he ran a great race, three deep the entire time in that howling wind," Thompson said.
"He run third there and I said, if he draws a gate, he'd be hard to beat and he drew a gate today."
Thompson said the distance wasn't a concern either, with Slatey Bay previously showing endurance and longevity in spades when needed.
"No, the 1400 didn't worry us one bit, this horse has shown that he can run that 1400, we just freshened him up a bit," Thompson said.
"I just want to thank all my staff, my boys Ben and Kurt for doing such a great job with the horse and I'd just like to thank the owners as well."
Mulholland, for his efforts, scored a win in the first race of the day, with veteran jockey Greg Ryan gudiing Reward Seeker to a sizable win as the recognised favourite.
Mulholland's Steamin' also finished fourth later on.