Trevor Thomas teams up with hoop Michael Rodd

By Glenn Davis

Gympie trainer Trevor Thomas is hoping to target the Battle Of The Bush Final if I See You Coming is successful at Ipswich on Wednesday.

A son of Tycoon Ruler, I See You Coming is chasing back-to-back wins in the Class 5 Handicap over 1350 metres.

The six-year-old will again be ridden by Michael Rodd who was aboard when the pair were successful in a 1350 metre Class 4 Handicap at Doomben on January 27.

I See You Coming was previously prepared by Tony Gollan. 

I See You Coming was a $16,000 online buy and has already returned his owners more than $27,000 in prizemoney in only four starts for Thomas.

“It should be more as he should have won at Ipswich when he ran second three starts back but he was caught wide that day and was just found wanting in the last 50 metres,” Thomas said.

Thomas was based at the Sunshine Coast for many years as a trainer before relocating to his old stomping ground at Gympie three years ago.

“I started training at Gympie when I was about 18 and I was based there for around three years before I moved to the Sunshine Coast,” Thomas said.

“I’m now 51 and I was at the Sunshine Coast for more than 25 years before I decided to go back to Gympie when I couldn’t expand any further at Caloundra.

“I’ve got 24 horses in work now.”

Thomas was once dubbed the “long shot king” after winning a race in 2010 with Jedi Starfighter who started at $201 as well as $101 shot winner Nickiera who was successful at Eagle Farm.

Thomas is confident I See You Coming will be highly competitive at his fifth start of the stable.

“I thought he could win at Doomben last start and I can’t see why he won’t be hard to beat again,” Thomas said.

“He’s got a perfect temperament and is very laid back and nothing fazes him.

“I thought he’d lead when he won at Doomben but he never got near the leaders early on and I’m hopeful he’ll eventually run 1600 metres.”

If I See You Coming is successful it could be one of the few times he’ll be sighted on a city racetrack in coming months.

To be eligible for the Battle Of The Bush, horses need to compete in five non-TAB meetings in the past 12 months.