Clear Proof ready to put best foot forward for Thompson
Trainer John Thompson is confident he's finally winning the battle with Clear Proof's feet and is hopeful he can show a return to form at Warwick Farm today.
Clear Proof hit the ground running last winter with a debut win and a second in the Listed Rosebud, prompting Thompson to give him a chance in the group 1 Golden Rose.
He didn't measure up and was gelded, and after two runs back Thompson said the platform is there this time to perform in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1300m).
Clear Proof was beaten 5-1/2 lengths by subsequent Hawkesbury Guineas winner Media World but did make some ground to run eighth.
'In his second trial he lost a front plate and he trod on the toe clip,' Thompson said. 'He had a 10 cent piece-sized hole in his foot, so we had to give him a few weeks to get over that
'I thought at Warwick Farm the other day it was right. When we trotted him up at home my rider said he was right but you can't replicate race speed at home.
'Nash said he couldn't give his top gear, he could feel him holding back and couldn't hit the line. In saying that he got a long way back.'
A common factor in his first couple of starts was forgiving ground, and he'll get that at Warwick Farm with the track rated well into the soft range. Thompson said he can see no problems with Clear Proof's feet, so there should be no excuses on that front.
'He's had another couple of weeks, the foot is good,' he said. 'It's all healed up, and I've put the blinkers back on, too, so it'll make a big difference.
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