WILSON EYEING OFF THE KEVIN ROBINSON MEMORIAL

Cant Bluff Me is arguably one of Sydney's most improved pacers and on Friday night he is on trial for a trip to Queensland for the start of this year's Grand Circuit when he competes in Harold Park's Kevin Robinson Memorial Spring Cup. The six year old has drawn barrier six and is prepared by one of Sydney's leading trainers Ian Wilson. The Theresa Park trainer is expecting another strong performance after proving too quick for fellow Queensland aspirants Iron Hudge and Lonestar Legend last week.

"He performed really well last week when he won and I couldn't have been happier with his effort" Wilson said.
"My aim is to give him next week off and have him ready to go for the Queensland Pacing Championship the following week."

Despite recording a winning mile rate of 1:56.1 last week, the son of Aces N Sevens raced roughly throughout the event and Wilson is still at a loss to explain why.

"He has never been a really smooth pacer and he did look rough last week but Jim (Douglass driver) and I had planned to try and hold a forward spot early. They did go very hard early and he may have become a little unbalanced at the start so to record that time was very impressive."

Wilson believes Cant Bluff Me will develop the ability to compete against any horse in the country and is hoping to impress the Harold Park directors on Friday night again with the Miracle Mile only two months away.
"I think the horse has what it takes to match it with the best of them and he has recorded some brilliant times at Harold Park recently. He has gone a tick over 1:56 winning his last three races and my long term aim is a start in the Miracle Mile so I hope the horse is impressing the right people."

Cant Bluff Me will come back from Queensland and will be aimed at the Newcastle Mile before turning his attention towards the first Miracle Mile held at Menangle on the 1400 metre track, a venue where the gelding paced his fastest ever victory in 1:55.2.

Wilson is expecting Lombo Pocket Watch and Iron Hudge to be the toughest to beat this week but won't be giving driver Jim Douglass too many instructions.

"I like to leave all the driving decisions up to Jim. Normally we sit down and have a talk about each of the races but the final decision is left with him, but I think the hardest to beat will be the horse that leads."
"Lombo Pocket Watch is a brilliant horse as he has proved right throughout his career while Iron Hudge impressed me with his effort last week when he finished second behind us."

Cant Bluff Me will be joined in this week's race by stablemate Jackson Grant and Wilson is expecting another honest performance from the nine year old.

"There's not too much you can say about him. He is just tough and likes the field to run along from a fair way out."

"He just doesn't switch on in his races but he keeps on running good ones. At this stage I think Cameron Fitzpatrick will drive him and I hope he can get the best out of him."

Jackson Grant has won 21 races and banked nearly $130,000 during his career and Wilson was surprised to still have the horse when he was nominated for a claiming race during the Gold Coast Inter Dominion series.
"I think he was in the claimer for $15,000 or $20,000 and couldn't believe it when no–one claimed him. It's been a blessing since because he was won some nice races."

"Friday night is his biggest test yet but he has drawn gate one so we will just have to wait and see."
The Kevin Robinson Memorial Spring Cup is race five on Friday night and is scheduled to begin at 9pm.


THOMPSON ITCHING TO GET BACK TO THE RACES
Sydney racecaller Kevin Thompson is hoping to be back behind the binoculars by the middle of October as his recovery continues after being struck by a car on the way home from a Newcastle harness meeting in July. Thompson will see his orthopaedic surgeon next Thursday and is hoping that he will be given the all clear.

"It hasn't been easy being away from everything for so long but the good news is that my knee is definitely improving" Thompson said.

"I have been going to see a physiotherapist three times a week for the past three weeks and it has really helped to strengthen the knee up. About two weeks ago I was able to throw away my crutches and I am using a walking stick to get around at the moment but hopefully the orthopaedic surgeon will be happy with what he sees and will recommend no more surgery."

As a result of the accident Thompson has been struggling to overcome an ulcer that developed on his foot and it was thought that he may need a skin graft.

"The ulcer was very bad and it had a few people thinking the wound had become gangrenous but with a few home remedies including manuka honey, my wife Jan and I have cleaned it up and I won't need any operations to assist the recovery of the ulcer."

Thompson has been amazed at the number of well–wishers that have contacted him and would like to thank them for their kind thoughts.

"I have had a lot of people ring, send texts and cards and they have all really lifted my spirits a lot. It's not easy being in your own home and unable to move very far but now I have my walking stick it's a lot easier for me to get around. Jan takes me down to the shops and it allows me to feel a bit more normal. I have been keeping an eye on the form too and can't wait to get back behind the microphone."