Cessnock jockey Robert Thompson collects Port Macquarie Cup

Thompson was seen at his vigorous best guiding the Bede Murray-trained World Wide to a short half-head victory over another Sydney visitor, Campanology, prepared by leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.

Thompson got on terms with the runner-up in the closing stages to gain the verdict in a close photo finish.

World Wide went into the race after some promising lead-up runs at Rosehill and Randwick and two career wins over the 2000 metres cup distance. It was the 8-year-old gelding’s 11th win from 65 starts.

Thompson said after the race that World Wide was a good, tough old stayer and that he was pleased he could win for trainer Bede Murray.

It was Thompson’s fourth Port Macquarie Cup win, although he admitted it had been a dry run with his previous winners coming in the mid-eighties, one for his late father Arthur.

Earlier in the program, Thompson partnered the Jeremy Sylvester-trained Run Legless that went down by a neck in the 1500 metres sprint.

The cup win further emphasised Thompson’s success rate at the North Coast track where he set the new Australian race riding record in July 2008.

Thompson turned his attention to the Coonamble Cup meeting on Sunday and while his cup mount First Class Ticket did not figure, he successfully linked up with trainer Rodney Northam for a win in the maiden plate with Bulletprook Monk.

The 3-year-old gelding, who started a short priced ($2.20) favourite, was having race start number six and was second up after a third at Muswellbrook on September 21.