Ray Thomas blackbook: Former The Everest champ on the comeback trail

Nature Strip is preparing for the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 14. Classique Legend is back in Sydney to begin his comeback after a suspensory ligament injury. Chris Waller leaves for England this week to prepare Nature Strip and stablemate Home Affairs for Royal Atcot next week. The team also includes the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Artorius. The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 15 is the target for all the sprinters. They are also preparing Home affairs for Platinum Jubilee Stake on July 18.

The bookies had another "knockout win" over favourite backers at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. French Bonnet and Niffler were the only favourites to score at the Rosehills. There were some upset results including $51 outsider Proverbial in the TAB Highway. Osipenko ($19 into $14) and Surf Dancer ($4.40) did have their supporters. Political Debate earned favouritism for next Saturday's Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes at Eagle Farm. Baller is into $15 for the Group1 Stradbroke Handicap behind Ayrton at $5 and Eleven Eleven at

Niffler won race 6 at Rosehill. She had only her second run this preparation.

Skyman finished third in a slowly run race. Per Inaway won at her Australian debut. Osipenko won by a wide margin on his debut in race 1. Willunga Rufio won in the third race of the day. Ray Thomas is on the comeback trail.

Irish Sequel (race 4) won the Winter Cup. Surf Dancer ( race 7) got away with some cheap sectionals from the 1000m to the 600m and sprinted home with three sub-12s closing sectional of 11.83s, 11:27s and 11.:74s. Skyman (racer 7), produced the fastest final 600 m section of the day in 34.39s to finish third. Ita (racer 8) was held up for a run at the top of a straight and recorded a section in 11 :54s for the final 200m.

"Surf Dancer is a tough, honest horse. Willunga Rufio maintained his unbeaten record. Josh Parr has had luck with the Pierro breed with horses like Shadow Hero. Osipenko made his debut with a debut win. Willie Pike rode Gypsy Goddess to a Group 1 win for trainer David Vandyke.

Jason Collett's horse Alakahan finished third in a race. The protest by Jason Collet against Bonny Ezra was dismissed. Desert Mist reared over in the parade ring and finished well back behind Osipenko. Tympanist (race 2) struggled in its run home. Anagain ( race 4) did not stretch out early and became detached from the field. Joviality (Race 8) got its head up near the 800m and lost ground when being steadied from Robodira. Robidira shifted when insufficiently clear of Jovi's and it was checked.

Osipenko won the first race of the day. Ita was held up for a run at a vital stage in the straight and lost momentum.

Dylan Gibbons has won double at the Midway race. Harvey's Way should win one of these races in the near future.