Thompson Completes ‘Ipswich Big Three’ With Cup Win

Date: 19-Jun-2023

In 2021, jockey Ben Thompson won the Listed Eye Liner Stakes aboard Snitch and the Gai Waterhouse Classic with Lillemor.

On Saturday he added the Listed TAB Ipswich Cup to his trophy cabinet and in doing so completed the ‘Ipswich Big Three’ of feature wins.

The popular hoop teamed up with the Annabel Neasham-trained Regal Lion in the time-honoured feature.

Thompson was able to settle his mount in a midfield position from barrier 10, allowing him to settle into his rhythm as they passed the winning post for the first time.

The winning move was made when Thompson pulled Regal Lion out on the turn and proceeded to advance around the field. By the time they hit the straight, the son of Jakkalberry had drawn level with the leaders.

Regal Lion and Desert Icon paired off with 200m to go for a ding dong battle but it was the Neasham runner with the lighter weight that would prevail.

“He’s got a good second-up record and he was going to be much more at home over 2000m,” Thompson said.

“Given the way the track was playing, it was going to suit a horse like him who is going to work into the race down the middle of the track.

“There was nice give in the ground and it worked out perfectly.

“I tried to keep him trotting around and keep him moving before the start with the blinkers back on today (Saturday) and he jumped away great.

“We were worse than midfield following London Banker. They sort of steadied up at the 900m so I just popped out three wide just to keep him in a nice rhythm.

“He straightened up and I thought this is his race to lose.

“It was awesome and obviously really special to win the Ipswich Cup.”

Priced a $21 chance by the market, the four-year-old gelding was considered the second option for Neasham with punters gravitating to Group 1 winning stablemate Numerian.

Assistant Trainer Todd Pollard indicated that while punters didn’t give Regal Lion much, those in the stable did.

“Both horses had great rides,” Pollard said.

“I thought Jag (Guthmann-Chester) rode Numerian to perfection, but the quick back-up didn’t quite work for the horse.

“Ben Thompson put Regal Lion into the race early with the blinkers on and he just knew when to pounce, he was tough at the finish.

“He’s a true dour Kiwi who takes a bit to get going. A few of the staff at home were quite confident he could upset Numerian as they knew how well he was going in his work.

“His course proper gallop on Tuesday was very sharp with the blinkers on so it definitely worked.

“There’s plenty of upside with the horse and he’ll go on to the Caloundra Cup now.”

Earlier in the day, Thompson gave a ten out of ten ride on the Kelly Schweida-trained Sailor’s Secret to win the Ray White Ipswich No Metro Wins Handicap over 1350m.

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