Stradbroke Handicap: Ciaron Maher makes key jockey bookings
Trainer Ciaron Maher has called on Ben Thompson to ride last start Group 1 winner Royal Merchant in next week’s Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Getty Images.
When one door closes, another opens.
That's the case for Group 1 winning jockey Ben Thompson who has a new $3m Stradbroke Handicap ride should exciting Queenslander Yellow Brick fail to make the field as expected.
Assuming Yellow Brick misses a start, which is almost certain, Thompson has got the Stradbroke call-up for last start Group 1 winning Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace-trained three year-old filly Royal Merchant.
Royal Merchant is exempt from the Stradbroke ballot after defeating older rivals last start in the Group 1 Goodwood in South Australia where she got few favours in the run.
Thompson, who soared into racing's Group 1 club when winning the Oakleigh Plate on Uncommon James earlier this year, is delighted to get the call-up.
He had hitched his Stradbroke wagon to Yellow Brick but the Queensland three-year-old needed to win last Saturday's Fred Best Classic, where he finished runner-up, to gain a Stradbroke start.
"Royal Merchant was awesome winning the Goodwood and the lead-up race before that was well," Thompson said.
"She is well deserving of her spot in the Stradbroke field and hopefully she can make it consecutive Group 1s.
"I rode a lot for Ciaron Maher when I was an apprentice jockey and I have ridden here and there for him as a senior rider.
"It will be good to link up with him again, assuming Yellow Brick doesn't get a start."
Royal Merchant is one of the leading hopes in the Stradbroke Handicap after winning the Goodwood last start. Picture: Photo by Bodhi Clarke/Atkins Photography.
Royal Merchant, a daughter of Merchant Navy, will carry 52.5kg in the Stradbroke and is currently a $15 chance on TAB fixed odds to score Queensland's most prestigious race at Eagle Farm on June 10.
Michael Dee had ridden Royal Merchant to Group 1 glory in Adelaide before picking up a lucrative Hong Kong riding contract.
It has also been confirmed Dee will return to Australia to ride stablemate Ruthless Dame, also a last start Group 1 winning three-year-old filly, in next week's Stradbroke.
On paper, it looks a strong Stradbroke.
Thompson feels one of the strongest chances is three-year-old Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt Hawaii Five Oh who beat Yellow Brick last Saturday.
"Hawaii Five Oh's figures have been through the roof," Thompson said.
"With just 49.5kg in the Stradbroke, he is going to be ultra competitive and super hard to beat.
"The barrier draw next week will be integral to the chances of most horses and hopefully we can draw well."
Ben E Thompson will ride Royal Merchant in the Stradbroke Handicap, assuming Yellow Brick does not get a start in next week's $3m race. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.
Yellow Brick, trained by Tony and Maddysen Sears, is almost certain not to feature in the Stradbroke but Thompson will ride him on the same day anyway.
Yellow Brick is set to start in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic for three year-olds over 1600m on Stradbroke Day.
