Thompson was back at his home track Cessnock on Monday afternoon and rode the first winner on the card, Circle of Fame. This time last week he had headed across the Bass Strait to the Apple Isle and booted home winners in the two major races on the carnival card at Launceston.

Thompson rode the Adam Trinder-trained Youthful Jack to win the $90,000 thetote.com.au Stakes over 1200 metres. Youthful Jack won by a length and started the $3 favourite.

In the next race he booted home Gee Gee’s La Quita in the Aceland Stud Thousand Guineas, a $30,000 event.

Back home, Thompson renewed acquaintances with Circle of Fame who he last rode in the 2011 Grafton Cup where the seven-year-old gelding ran a creditable sixth, beaten three and a half lengths.

Circle of Fame is trained at Moonbi by Ruth Cooper and proved too strong for Prestiditate in a driving finish to the line.

Cessnock trainer Ian Stewart landed a double in races three and four. Five-year-old gelding Rhythmic Ranger was having just its fourth race start taking out the maiden plate over 1550 metres while Annarism, a five-year-old mare by Nothin Leica Dane, was rewarded for her consistency claiming the maiden handicap over the 135 metres journey.

Johannesburg gelding Gentleman Joe ridden by Alison Threadwell won first up for Broadmeadow trainer Alan Scorse. The gelding had not raced since August last year and is owned by the O’Neill families of Cessnock.