Trainer Ross Stitt has confirmed one of the most appropriate jockey engagements of the Scone Cup carnival.
As Scone prepares to host Australia's richest country racing carnival, record-breaking bush jockey Robert Thompson will be reunited with Youthful Jack, the Taree-trained warhorse he has ridden to eight wins.
They will team up as probable outsiders in the $200,000 Scone Cup having already caused one of the biggest upsets in NSW country racing this season with their win in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.
"Robert rang me on Monday night and said he would be able to ride the horse," Stitt said.
"They have been around a few times together and it will be good to have him back on."
Thompson made national headlines last Saturday week when he rode his 4000th winner and while he is no stranger to Scone, Youthful Jack will be having his first at the widely acclaimed track.
A rising nine-year-old, Youthful Jack has won 18 races across nine racetracks in three states but Stitt is well aware of the task ahead of the sprinter on Friday.
"It's not going to be easy for him but he needs to run somewhere and the Cup is about the most suitable race I can find for him," Stitt said.
With Scott Thurlow in the saddle, Youthful Jack resumed under the steadier of 61kg when close-up with a midfield finish in the Tamworth Cup behind Pitt Street and while will meet that horse on much better weight terms at Scone, there will be a lot more depth to the field.
Courtesy of Precise Timing, Stitt has figured in the winner's circle after many country Cups but Scone has been elusive.
"Precise Timing won a lot of Cups but he was unlucky in the Scone Cup in 2004," Stitt said.
"That was the one that might have got away."