Thompson honoured to win Guy Walter Stakes with Danesiri

Trainer John Thompson was honoured to win the Group 3 $150,000 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm today with the well performed mare Danesiri.

Danesiri, purple and white, finished too strong for Cosmic Endeavour to win the Guy Walter Stakes at Warwick Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

Danesiri, purple and white, finished too strong for Cosmic Endeavour to win the Guy Walter Stakes at Warwick Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.

Respected Warwick Farm trainer Guy Walter passed away in May last year and the Australian Turf Club was quick to recognise his achievements in the racing industry by naming this race after him on the biggest day of racing at his home track, Chipping Norton Stakes Day.

“It is an honour to win his race. When I went for my trainer’s licence he was one of the three people who gave me a great reference, three page hand written. That sums up the man,” Thompson said.

“He was a massive supporter of mine and the family. He was an absolute champion of a man.”

Winning rider Christian Reith was also honoured to win the race named after the great trainer.

“It’s a big honour. He was one of those real gentleman of the racecourse,” Reith said.

Even though Danesiri resumed from a break with a second to Thump in the Group 3 $150,000 Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 14, the six year old mare was sent out at the good odds of $21.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Cosmic Endeavour was sent out the $4.40 favourite and raced to the front in the straight before being overhauled by Danesiri to finish second with Mahara ($7.50) running on strongly for third.

The win of Danesiri brought up a winning double for Thompson after his stable star First Seal won the Group 2 $175,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) earlier in the day.

Reith had Danesiri back in midfield in the run but had trouble getting anywhere near the fence and was trapped wide for the entire race.

Danesiri was the widest runner on the home turn but was still too strong for Cosmic Endeavour who had a sweet run behind the pace before getting a split in between runners in the straight.

The David Vandyke trained Arabian Gold ($6.50) was well support at her first run back for the Autumn Carnival but never threatened to finish eighth.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.