John Thompson has maintained his impressive start to the racing season, with Melanite securing the Midway Handicap at Randwick, marking his third metropolitan victory this week.
Following a successful double at Canterbury on Wednesday, Thompson added another win at the main track on Saturday, as Melanite, priced at $6.50, surged along the inside rail to claim the 1100-metre race by a narrow margin of a neck over Cosy Corner ($19).
Bangkok Hottie ($2.10 favourite) performed admirably for third, despite encountering a challenging wide run. Punters exploring the best betting apps Australia would have witnessed another keenly contested finish at Randwick.
Thompson and Bangkok Hottie’s trainer David Payne observed the race together, each anticipating victory for their respective runners at different stages.
“We were giving each other commentary,” Thompson humorously remarked.
“When mine accelerated through, he commented, ‘I think you’ve got it’, and I replied, ‘you’re still coming’.
“He (Melanite) received an ideal run, settling close to the pace. It was the perfect passage along the fence, and he never had to move around another horse.”
This victory marks Melanite’s second from ten career starts, and Thompson indicated the horse is capable when conditions are favourable.
“He simply requires everything to align. He has more wins ahead of him,” Thompson stated.
Although Payne did not achieve the desired outcome with Bangkok Hottie, he expressed satisfaction with the filly’s performance, especially considering she entered the race without a formal barrier trial after her jockey was dislodged during trackwork the day before her scheduled trial.
The filly appeared to benefit from the run, and Payne anticipates she will be significantly fitter for her next start in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in two weeks.
“She’ll go there. Perhaps she’ll draw well,” Payne commented.
“I was very pleased. It will only improve her, and he (jockey Chad Schofield) didn’t over-exert her. She didn’t have an easy race.”
For those interested in the main race, explore the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.