Salt Ash trainer Neil Thompson carries the tag of ‘veteran trainer’ into Saturday night’s Final after qualifying ULTRA BLISS.
The 80 year old trainer has no qualms about confirming his age saying “he doesn’t feel 80!”
ULTRA BLISS came into Thompson’s stable thanks to the use of a NSW Breeders Bonus Certificate that he won with stable runner FRANCO STORM. “This horse came into the sale ring towards the end of the catalogue and I was the only bidder, the certificate meant that I didn’t really pay much for him.”
ULTRA BLISS has been a consistent performer since commencing racing with two wins and 20 placings from 39 starts.
That consistency has continued under a new driving combination formed with Caitlyn McElhinney, “Caitlyn’s been going really really well on him having never missed a placed in her four drives”.
“Saturday night’s going to be tough from the barrier 10, we will have to make our own luck from there but he’s got a really good sprint”, Thompson said.
Of the series Thompson suggested it had come at a really good time, “With the downturn in things as a result of COVID-19 this series has provided a bit of a cherry for the locals. Under the circumstances it’s great, it’s given the locals a chance at some really good money and I think the field is pretty evenly balanced.”
Being the veteran trainer Thompson has tasted success over many decades of harness racing including ALLIRA in the Newcastle Cup and FRANCO STORM’s win in the Group 2 Breeders Challenge Blue Series at just his third start.