CHAMPION Cessnock jockey Robert Thompson will take a well-earned three-day fishing trip after completing a "grand slam" of staying races in North Queensland on The Harrovian on Saturday in Cairns.
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The 61-year-old Australian Racing Hall of Fame legend took the Stephen Massingham-trained The Harrovian, the $1.90 favourite, to the lead at the top of the straight and he burst clear for a four-length win in the Cairns Amateur Cup (2100 metres).
The Harrovian earned $87,000 for the victory but also an extra $200,000 after winning the Northern Crowns Series bonus. Thompson had already piloted The Harrovian to wins in the Townsville Cup and Cairns Cup. The bonus went to any horse which won three of the five staying or sprinting races held across Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and FNQ Amateurs.
Thompson, the winningest jockey in Australian racing, is a regular visitor to the north Queensland racing carnivals, and the nearby fishing grounds.
"It was brilliant," Thompson told Sky Racing after the win, which took him to 4424 in his career.
"To be able to win the grand slam, it gives me a great buzz.
"I've been going around for a little while now and rode plenty of winners, and plenty of cup winners, here especially too.
"It's been a great hunting ground for me, but to pull off the grand slam for the Massinghams, I've had a long association with them, and I've known [owner] Tom Hedley for 40 years, it's absolutely great, for this stage in my life and my riding career."
Thompson will return home this week and ride the Rod Northam-trained After All That at Randwick on Saturday in what was to be a late attempt to secure a spot in $1.3 million Kosciuszko.
However, all 14 slots in the October 19 race for country-trained horses appeared to be accounted for on Saturday when Goulburn trainer Danny Williams announced he had made a deal with a ticket-holder for the last spot.
Thompson, though, was also looking to next year's north Queensland carnivals.
"I've been lucky enough that Racing NSW gave me another licence for 12 month so hopefully I'm back again next year," he said. "He might win it again next year."
Massingham said: "What about the king, RT. Never panicked, just got across, one off. Just let the horse do everything. That's why he's the best. The best horse and the best jockey."
