News

Thompson takes the reins at Patinack Farm as Coyle calls it quits

8th Sep 2009

Sydney Morning Herald - Patrick Bartley - Tuesday, 8 September 2009

JOHN THOMPSON, the long-time Sydney foreman for Bart Cummings, will take over as head trainer of the massive Patinack Farm operation, effective immediately.

Jason Coyle dropped a bombshell yesterday with his resignation from the top training post in the Nathan Tinkler-owned empire. ''I have tendered my resignation as private trainer to Patinack Farm, to pursue my career as a public trainer in Sydney,'' Coyle said. ''Nathan has been a great supporter and I look forward to continuing my relationship with Patinack Farm.''

The 35-year-old Thompson, son of former Crown Lodge trainer Vic Thompson, will now be in charge of 80-100 horses. Just last month, Tinkler restructured and employed Thompson to train alongside Coyle.

Melbourne trainer Mick Price said his numbers would not be increasing due to the change of trainers. Price has 70 boxes and 30 of them are occupied by Tinkler's team, but the trainer said he had reached capacity with his numbers.

''I've got 30 of them and I don't want to train any more than 70 horses, and that's where I've put the cap,'' he said.

Coyle has enjoyed great success with Tinkler, who has injected millions of dollars into Australian racing and breeding and has 400 horses on his books.

Coyle prepared two group 1 winners during his time with Patinack, taking out the Champagne Stakes at Randwick with Onemorenomore and TJ Smith at Eagle Farm with Linky Dink.

Manikato Stakes contender Swift Alliance will get his first look at the Moonee Valley course on Saturday when he and stablemate Manhattan Rain gallop between races. The Gai Waterhouse-trained Swift Alliance made a successful debut in Melbourne last Saturday, winning the group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes down the Flemington straight.

The stable is keen for him to gain experience around Moonee Valley ahead of the group 1 sprint on September 25.

Eight-time group 1 winner Apache Cat remains on target for the Manikato Stakes despite being beaten in a Cranbourne barrier trial yesterday.

The seven-year-old was due to resume in the Memsie Stakes, 1400m, won by stablemate Mic Mac at Caulfield last month but had a setback with a stone bruise. The flashy chestnut wasn't knocked around by Damien Oliver in the opening trial over 800m on a heavy Cranbourne track and finished a 2½-length runner-up to Dalooka in 48.30 seconds.

Apache Cat hasn't started since recording his 18th victory from 38 starts in the group 1 Doomben 10,000 on May 23 when he lasted by a head from the fast-finishing Black Piranha with Oliver in the saddle.

Several of his group 1 Manikato Stakes opposition will be running on Saturday in the group 3 McEwen Stakes, 1000m, at Moonee Valley including fellow group 1 winners Duporth, Nicconi and Typhoon Zed, which won the 2008 Manikato.

Other Manikato contenders among the 17 nominations for the McEwen include 2007 McEwen victor Here De Angels, Goodwood runner-up I Am Invincible, Oakleigh Plate runner-up Lucky Secret, Secret Flyer and Wilander.