Old Girl Rosa Stuns Again for Jubilant Bonnie

Black River trainer Bonnie Thomson is mystified but delighted with the stunning turnaround of tough old mare Look At Rosa.

The seven-year-old daughter of Shamus Award reeled off a barnstorming finish to claim her second upset win at Cluden in three weeks in Monday’s Great Northern Brewing Co. BM0-55 Hcp (1000m).

Thomson, who retired from race riding three years ago, was elated with the old mare who had won only three races in over 40 starts before her two surprise wins.

“I’ve done nothing different with her. The old girl might be having a mid-life crisis,” Thomson joked.

“I took her to Mt Garnet and that might have been a reality check for her.

“I was going to give her one more and retire her and I told her that and maybe that did the trick.

“She’s one of those horses that needs luck. She’s always been thereabouts.

“But something has clicked with her and she’s loving life.

“I was expecting something from her last start but today I thought it would be a bit tough for her coming back to 1000m.

“I own her so it’s a big thrill. I haven’t had one put together back to back wins since Exceeding Assassin about six years ago.”

Thomson is now rethinking a plan to back the mare up in a 1200m BM50 on Sunday but is happy to have the problem.

The popular trainer, who has small team of four in work, said she desperately missed her days in the saddle.

Injury forced her to hang up her riding boots in early 2023.

“I ride my own work so I know where I’m at with my horses,” Thomson said.

“But I really miss race riding, 100 per cent. It drives me mad.

“I’m a good lounge chair jockey but I don’t get too upset with them, because I’ve been there and done that and we all make mistakes.

“Fiona (Sandkhul) rode that mare just right. The speed was a cracker and she got her to travel and never gave up on her.”

Hard working vet Margaret Preston was also celebrating after Goncalo led throughout to win the Ladbrokes 3&4YO Mdn Hcp (1609m).

“I definitely needed that one. It’s been too long,” Preston said.

“It’s well and truly a hobby for me these days. I still work 60 hours a week in my real job.

“I’ve got just the two in work. Last winner here was probably Exaggeration (2014). I’ve had a few bush winners but that’s been a while too.

“I buy them as yearlings and break them in and do everything myself.

“This horse (Goncalo) needs longer races, I’d love a 2000m for him. He’ll run all day.

”I got him as a yearling. He was passed in for at the Magic Millions. He just went through Bloodstock Sales and I picked him up for the right money.

“He’s four but he’s had a lot of temperament problems.

“He’s definitely improving, but we just have to try to find another longer race for him.”

Meanwhile, the Georgie Holt-trained Dubious has given the stable another candidate for next month’s $100,000 Townsville 2YO Classic (1200m) on June 6.

Having his first start at 1200m, Dubious fought off Carlando and Heart Of Vienna to win in a three-way finish.

Jockeys Aidan Holt and Ryan Wiggins shared riding honours with a winning double apiece.

Holt booted home Hellish for Tom Button and Cifonelli for wife Georgie, while Wiggins won the heavily backed Penrod for Tracey Simmons and  Kirikan for Stephen Massingham.