Champion jockey Robert Thompson broke an 18-year drought to claim his eighth Jungle Juice Cup at his home Cessnock track yesterday.
Thompson was on board favourite General’s Sniper for trainer Tracey Bartley in 2012 after last winning the Wine Country Race Club feature with Beaucastel in 1994.
General’s Sniper led for most of the 1350 metre journey and was forced to hang on in the closing stages after determined efforts by the Neil Godbolt pair Never Doubt Me and Better Not Doubt.
In the end General’s Sniper, paying $3.90 for the win and $1.60 for the place, took out the 32nd running of the Jungle Juice Cup by a neck from Never Doubt Me while Better Not Doubt was a head further back.
“Looked gone several times in the straight but Thompson lift’s it over the line and wins his eighth Jungle Juice Cup on his home track,” was the call on Sky Racing.
“RT [Robert Thompson] you are a freak.”
Thompson is the record holder for most wins by a jockey in Australia.
In the eighth and final race of the day Husisname finished second for Branxton trainer Noel Boland.