Perfect treble send-off for Thompson

Young Ben Thompson was all smiles after he booted home his first riding treble in Singapore on Friday night.

One of the new alliances he has forged during early morning rides has now paid handsome dividends on raceday. His first two winners on Friday night were both for New Zealand trainer Donna Logan – Corsa D’Oro (Medaglia D’oro) and Dark Necessities (NZ) (Pins).

“It’s my first treble here and it’s also a bit special that two of them came for Donna. I didn’t know her or (assistant-trainer) Graeme Forbes when I came here, but I’ve been riding trackwork a fair bit for them lately,” said Thompson.

“It’s also very satisfying as I did ride both horses in trackwork. It’s great to be associated with them behind the scenes and see them win.

“Dark Necessities is quite a fierce racer, but he was fast out in front and I was happy with the way he was travelling.”

Based on his sparkling pre-debut trial form at Kranji, the Pins four-year-old was widely expected to put up a bold show when well-supported at his first outing in an Open Maiden race over 1000m on January 6, but he floundered after showing the way.

He did have excuses, though, as he returned with a cut on his off hind leg. Logan backed him off, and a much more settled Dark Necessities was able to turn his fortunes around in Friday’s $20,000 Cancham Cup, another Open Maiden race over 1000m.

“We took the blinkers off and he was a lot more settled tonight,” said Logan.

“He’s a bit like The Big Easy (NZ) (Super Easy). You have to let him run along on his own, and you really have to be like a mummy to her children with these horses.