Although John Thompson did not have a participant in the recent Rosebud race, its outcome has provided him with a valuable surge of confidence as Screen Icon prepares for her comeback in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick.
The Rosebud was claimed by Chilly Girl, who finished half a length ahead of Screen Icon in a barrier trial held on August 7. That trial was won by the Group 1 performer Apocalyptic.
With eight of the eleven contenders in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) making their first appearance since their two-year-old season, Thompson is hopeful that the trial form will be a positive indicator for Screen Icon.
“Her first trial was good, and her second trial in a strong heat was franked by Chilly Girl coming out and winning well on Saturday,” Thompson stated. “They finished alongside each other and that was my filly’s first time away from Randwick. She got a little bit lost, but she still trialled well.”
Screen Icon, who secured placings in the Gimcrack and Sweet Embrace Stakes during her juvenile campaign, was an emergency for the Golden Slipper but ultimately did not gain a start.
Thompson decided to keep her in training for the Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) two weeks later. However, she had reached the end of her preparation before the race, finishing sixth.
“I tried to get something after missing a run in the Slipper, but that extra couple of weeks was about five days too long,” Thompson admitted.
Chad Schofield, who has partnered the daughter of Nicconi – the sire of the champion sprinter Nature Strip – in all four of her starts, will once again be in the saddle from barrier nine at Randwick. Thompson is comfortable leaving race tactics entirely to Schofield.
“He knows her well. She has been beginning well and putting herself there in her trials, so I’ll leave it up to him,” Thompson commented. “It’s a pretty even lot (of fillies). It’s just a matter of which one has taken a step up from last ‘prep’ to this. Her trials have indicated she’s going great, and in her work at home she’s been going well.”
Stablemate Melanite is expected to be withdrawn from the Midway Handicap (1200m) due to an unfavourable draw. However, Clear Proof is set to compete, aiming to build on his recent form revival.
Having been placed in the 2024 Listed Rosebud (1100m), the son of Justify experienced a decline in form but has since started to deliver consistent performances as a gelding and is a recent winner at Canterbury.
“He’s always had ability. He was just left a colt too long,” Thompson remarked. “But he’s come good, and he’s a lot more genuine.”
For the upcoming Silver Shadow Stakes, consider exploring the latest Australian betting sites for competitive odds.