The John Thompson trained Ferment won the Australian Turf Club Benchmark 75 Handicap for three-year-olds at Canterbury on Saturday and set up a possible trip to the Gold Coast for the $1m Magic Millions Guineas next month.
The win was aided by a well–judged ride by Christian Reith on Ferment stalking the leader Eye The World who gave rider Nathan Berry a difficult time pulling hard down the back straight.
Coming off the turn Eye The World was let go by Berry and they held the lead through to the 125m when Reith sent Ferment forward to take over. Ferment then went away well to win with a comfortable 1 1/2L at the line.
Eye The World held second with Grand Business third, the margin 1 3/4L. The $1.75 favourite Lilliburlero was fourth.
“He is not that strong a horse and we will see how he comes through today,” said Andre Rabbett, foreman for Thompson.
Rabbett explained that Thompson has requested Reith to ride Ferment behind the leader after a leading role at Warwick Farm over 1600m last start on December 22 had resulted in Ferment being run down late.
“He was back to his own age group today and full credit goes to Andre and John. He is not the easiest horse to handle and train so I have just got the easy job sitting on his back on race day,” said Reith.
“But he has backed up and John has done a tremendous job with him and he won well. With these small fields you have to ride to give your horse every opportunity and tactically hopefully you can undo some of the fancies."
