No Compromise was a two-time winner from a handful of starts for Bill Thurlow before successfully continuing his career in Australia and now looks primed to star in his second stint for the Waverley trainer.
The son of Pins, who is raced by Thurlow’s brother Grant and sister-in-law Patricia, will step out in Saturday’s Gr.1 Harcourts Team Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and his previous performance suggests he can be a major player.
No Compromise won five races from Chris Waller’s stable, including the Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m), before returning to New Zealand and ran in the champion trainer’s name when he finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.
“He went very, very well and we were all pretty happy. He’s had a couple of hit-outs and handled that well,” Thurlow said.
“He’s done really since he’s been home and is enjoying being back here.”
Thurlow’s only concern is the 1600m and any softening of the track will be to No Compromise’s benefit.
“I don’t think he’s ever won over a mile, but he’s gone some good races and a little bit of rain will help him,” he said.
“We’re running him because of the $500,000 bonus for the most points won in the Thorndon, the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) and the Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m), so he needs to run to be eligible.”
No Compromise was ridden last time out by Ryan Elliot, who is suspended and will be replaced by Kelly Myers.
“Kelly has obviously been off the scene for a while and she rode a lot of winners for me in the early days so it’s good to get her back on,” Thurlow said.
He will also be represented by The Entertainer in the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m), Whangaehu in the John Turkington Douro Cup (1600m) and No Rain Ever is likely to run in the Rydges Wellington Airport Premier (1200m) rather than the Rating 65 over 1400m.
Staphanos filly The Entertainer was a smart maiden winner before a break and finished a solid third against the older horses when returning at Hastings.
“She’s progressing well and is a filly that will be suited by a better track,” Thurlow said.
“I think she will be better as a four-year-old, but they’re only three once so we’ll press on.”
Whangaehu also won twice for Thurlow before doubling his tally with Waller and was an impressive first-up victor on his return at Trentham last month.
“He was good and has settled in well back from Australia. It was on a wet track, but I don’t think he needs one and I expect him to run well,” Thurlow said.
“No Rain Ever has had a couple of setbacks, which has hindered her three-year-old preparation. We’ve had to push on with her and I think we’ve got her right now, but she may need a run.”
Thurlow was also pleased with Field Of Gold, who placed in a 1000m open heat at Foxton on Wednesday.
“He will probably run at New Plymouth on February 3 in an open 1400m and we’re really happy with the way he has come up. I thought his trial was super,” Thurlow said.
Field Of Gold won four races and placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) from Tony Pike’s stable before relocating south last year.
“He had a little setback just before Christmas and while you don’t like having those sorts of things, it could be a blessing in disguise as the bit of extra time has helped and it’s probably the right time of the year for him,” Thurlow said.