City trip for Brandjam
Glen Thompson will be hoping that Saturday's Caulfield meeting marks a change of luck after a frustrating week that included an abandoned meeting at Sale.
Thompson’s last active runner came when Benagil finished third in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) earlier this month. Plans to run Monte Cassino on Wednesday were dashed after the Sale meeting was called off following the third race.
Attention now turns to Brandjam, who resumes in the Remembering Robbie Laing Handicap (1440m) on Saturday. The lightly raced three-year-old has shown potential, including a recent win at Cranbourne.
Brandjam has stayed with Thompson since the passing of Mike Moroney, and the trainer is determined to reward loyal owners Chris Dziedzic and Lynn Cole with another success.
“It would be great to get another winner for Chris and Lynn from Kariba Racing as they have been massive supporters of mine since going back out on my own,” said Thompson.
“He won his maiden at The Valley, so we tried him in some better races after that,” he said.
“It was getting towards the end of his first prep, and he was still a colt.
“He’s come back in really good order as a gelding. His first run was good and his win at Cranbourne last time was impressive enough to warrant giving him a chance in town while he’s still three.”
With a rise in distance to 1400m, Thompson is hopeful rather than certain about Brandjam's suitability for the trip.
“The query is probably the 1400 (metres), but I thought he was strong to the line at Cranbourne,” he said.
“He’s not a big horse, but he’s got a big heart and tries hard, so it should take him a long way.”
“He’s going to have to get some cover and relax as he does everything a little bit quick at this stage, but if he can find a bum and switch off a little bit, I’m sure he can run it out.”
To place a bet on Brandjam or other runners this Saturday, browse the top betting sites in Australia for the latest promotions and fixed odds.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...