Thomas saddles biggest city stable representation in years

By Glenn Davis

Many moons ago Gympie trainer Trevor Thomas was dubbed the “long shot king”.

The moniker stuck after the then Sunshine Coast trainer won a race in 2010 with Jedi Starfighter who started at $201 at Doomben.

The same year Thomas also trained $101 winner Nickiera who was successful at Eagle Farm.

Fast forward to now and Thomas is hoping to be back in the winner’s stall with his biggest metropolitan representation in years at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Thomas’ last city victory was Avior who was a $26 maiden winner at Doomben in the middle of July.

“I’ve been looking for another long shot winner for some time, but Avior wasn’t as long as some of the others,” Thomas said.

“I rarely go to Brisbane and only go there with the odd one or two if I think they’re good enough.

“I’m starting four at Eagle Farm which is my biggest team for a city meeting for a long time.”

Thomas started his training career as an 18-year-old at Gympie before moving to the Sunshine Coast for 26 years.

“I was 18 when I started off at Gympie and I stayed at the Sunshine Coast for many years,” Thomas said.

“The only one who outstayed me at Caloundra was Trevor Miller before I went back to Gympie four years ago.”

Thomas returned to Gympie to train so he could expand his stable numbers and now has 27 horses in work.

Of his Eagle Farm contingent, Thomas is looking for strong performances from Desiah in the Class 5 Handicap over 1600 metres, Problematical in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap and What Artists Do in the Maiden Handicap over 1200 metres.

Desiah is having her fourth start for Thomas and was a game fourth at her last appearance behind the David Vandyke-trained Keitel in a 1400 metre Class 5 Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on September 21.

“I’m taking the blinkers off and hope that will make a difference with her,” Thomas said.

“She’s looking for 1600 metres and she’s come through her last run super.

“It wasn’t a bad run last time but the tempo didn’t suit but she stuck to her guns well.”

Thomas is looking for a quick return on his $1,000 purchase with first starter Problematical.

“He took my eye when I bought him online. He was a nice shape and his sire Graff was a precocious two-year-old,” he said.

“He’s still new but he trialed well and there’s plenty of upside to him.

“What Artists Do ran fifth last start but was a tragedy beaten after being knocked down so he should run well too.”