Veteran jockey Robert Thompson is poised to reach another milestone after riding a treble at Muswellbrook.

Thompson heads to Saturday's Newcastle meeting on 3999 career winners and has three scheduled rides.

He has already ridden more winners than any other Australian jockey and set himself the target of 4000 winners after the death of his father Arthur last year.

Thompson set the Australian record when he passed the Jack Thompson's tally of 3322 at a meeting at Port Macquarie in July, 2008.

He rode his first winner as a 14-year-old aboard It's Regal at Wyong in March 1973.

Despite his prolific record of Group One and stakes winners, Thompson has remained true to his roots and still lives in the NSW country town Cessnock.

His rides at Newcastle are Dame En Rouge, Lay Down The Law and Seal Of Approval.