Hulbert sticks with Adin Thompson to partner Rebel Rock

By Glenn Davis

Stable apprentice Adin Thomson has been given the tick of approval to maintain his association with topweight Rebel Rock in the Class 3 Handicap at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Rebel Rock has been allotted a massive 61kgs which would normally have prompted the training partnership of Peter and Will Hulbert to claim on the five-year-old.

However, the team have remained loyal to the young rider despite him losing his provincial claim.

“We could have claimed on him but Adin rides him in all his trackwork and knows him well,” Peter Hulbert said.

“Adin has been struggling for rides but so too have a lot of seniors and the fields haven’t been very big lately and there’s been an influx of riders from the southern States who are staying here.”

Thompson has ridden Rebel Rock at his past two starts when he utilised his two-kilometre claim in the metropolitan area.

He rode Rebel Rock for the first time since November last year when the son of Rothesay finished last in a field of six in a 1300-metre Class 4 at Eagle Farm on July 21.

He also partnered Rebel Rock at his last appearance when the gelding was a fast-finishing third behind the Barry Baldwin-trained Adelase in a 1600-metre Benchmark race at Doomben on August 7.

Rebel Rock has been in the winners’ stall only three times during his 26 starts career but has been placed on another 12 occasions.

Hulbert will delay making a decision about starting Rebel Rock until race morning after he studies the Doomben nominations for Saturday.

“My only concern about Ipswich is the track might be too hard unless we get some rain,” Hulbert said.

Hulbert and son Will had their best season since starting their joining training partnership several years ago.

“We had our best season last season but from out last 50 starters we’ve only had about three winners but 34 of them finished in the first five,” Hulbert said.

“Among our last 50 starters we had a Group 3 winner, a Listed winner and a Mackay Cup winner.”