Thompson and Uncommon James dream team heads west chasing glory

By Andrew Smith

Ben Thompson has travelled far and wide in his short career in the saddle, and now the sights are set on conquering the Wild West.

The ‘dream team’ of Thompson and Uncommon James reunite this weekend for the inaugural running of the $4 million The Quokka in Perth.

It’s been a whirlwind few months for the 26-year-old, who notched up his first Group 1 winner on the back of the four-year-old gelding in February’s Oakleigh Plate in Melbourne.

Relocating to Queensland in mid-2020, life on and off the track can’t get much better at the moment in the Sunshine State.

“I’m obviously loving it, I’ve got the best job in the world in my eyes,” Thompson said.

“There’s nothing better than things going well at work, it only happens with really good support and I’ve got a great team around me – it doesn’t all happen on my own.

“I’ve got a great manager, my wife Steph - who keeps me sane and very happy - and my parents too.

“It is a big team effort and there’s a lot of help behind the scenes…there’s nothing like confidence so hopefully can keep going as is.”

With wife and fellow hoop Stephanie Thornton due to give birth to the couple’s first child in September, things won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

Thompson faces a momentous task in The Quokka this weekend before a huge Queensland Racing Carnival where he’s expected to feature heavily across the eight Group 1 races over the 10-week program.

“It’s a tough time of year, but the best time of year,” Thompson said.

“It’s the biggest races away from our Magic Millions in January and obviously the best riders are in town.

“There’s nothing like good competition and it brings out the best in everybody.

“Hopefully the success continues into the winter and we can be sticking with a nice horse or two.”

Uncommon James has only had one outing since the Oakleigh Plate, finishing second behind Mariamia in the Group 1 Galaxy at Rosehill in March.

Damian Lane was in the saddle that day, but trainer Steve O’Dea did not have any hesitation in recalling Thompson for the trip west.

“Obviously Ben won on him when he won the Oakleigh Plate – he’s had a good connection with the horse from when he was here in Brisbane as well,” O’Dea said.

“Benny will certainly do the job over there and they go well together.

“Ben’s obviously always been a good rider, but probably over the last six to nine months he seems to have really gone to the next level.

“He’s fit in really well in Brisbane and he’s obviously a lightweight rider and that gives him even more opportunities in the big races.

“He’s still relatively young too so the best is in front of him.”

For O’Dea and training partner Matt Hoysted, the decision to enter The Quokka meant passing up a chance to throw their gun sprinter into the deep end in the TJ Smith Stakes.

“Obviously the idea of the Quokka was in the back of our minds - from the start of preparation there had been a bit of interest in the horse,” O’Dea said.

“We weren’t overly keen to go over there (Perth), thinking we would just sort of campaign him in Melbourne and also in Sydney.

“For where his rating sits, Matt and I think there’s still good progression and good improvement to come with him.

“Obviously he’s a gelding so black-type is not really suited to him so obviously a good money race and really excited to go over there.”

Star filly Amelia’s Jewel will start as the heavy favourite at Ascot on Saturday, but O’Dea is confident Uncommon James can challenge the three-year-old on her home turf.

“We’re expecting him to be really competitive over there and see his next step with Group 1 company here in the eastern states,” he said.

“While Amelia’s Jewel is going to be hard to beat over there - she’s obviously got the home ground advantage - but I see no reason why he isn’t going to be right in the race that’s for sure.

“For him to come back as he did as a late three-year-old and then go to Melbourne in the spring last year and win that listed race down there, the progression that he’s made and he’s only a lightly raced horse.

“To already be a Group 1 winner, and to think the best is still in front of him, it’s hugely exciting.”