Thompson Pressuring Heathcote
- Saturday, 01 October 2011 04:59
Patinack Farm's John Thompson maintained the pressure on leading trainer Rob Heathcote when Strip Show scored a commanding win at Eagle Farm.
Ridden by apprentice Tim Bell, Strip Show box-seated in behind the two leaders before scoring by 1-1/2 lengths from Like A Gee Six in Saturday's The Queen's Arms Hotel Handicap (1500m).
Bevico Girl made up good ground late to fill the minor placing a further length away.
Strip Show made it successive wins after scoring at the Doomben midweeks last month to give Thompson his 13th winner for the season.
Rob Heathcote, who has won the past three Brisbane trainers' premierships, leads the title race again this season with a one win advantage over Thompson.
Stable manager Brett Killion felt Strip Show was unlucky not to be unbeaten in all her three starts.
"She got knocked around in her first start and was unlucky when she ran fourth at Eagle Farm," Killion said.
"She's not an easy horse to ride in trackwork and lot of the credit goes to Chris Hull who is one of our main work riders at Wadham Park."
Killion believes the daughter of Show A Heart has a bright future and only immaturity is holding her back.
"She'll keep learning from this race experience," Killion said.
"She's a flashy type and has a great pedigree.
"I'm not sure where she'll go from here and I'll leave that up to the boss (Thompson)."
Bell made full use of drawing barrier one to have Strip Show perfectly placed in running.
"Barrier draws are everything and she was able to box-seat nicely," Bell said.
"She's still green and learning what it's all about but she'll definitely get better."
