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By Tony Megahey

For trainer Brett Thompson, the call was out of the blue but he remembered the kid from Brewarrina, the drift was positive and the circumstances ideal.

The prolific regional premiership trainer is confident his burgeoning combination with comeback apprentice Ronald Simpson is a guaranteed punting investment into Thursday’s Wellington TAB meeting and beyond.

Ronald Simpson returns after riding a winner. Image by Janian McMillan (Racing Photography)

“I remembered his fall at a Coonabarabran meeting several years back, I knew he was back active and riding and we’d been crying out for a strong three-kilo claimer,” Brett explained.

The widely travelled Simpson, 20, after a two-year absence and serious injury, is enjoying a career-defining resurgence with Thompson’s big team at Gulgong.

“I’d got the right message from the kid that he wanted to work hard and make a go of it; our two boys who ride work had moved out with their partners so my wife Kelley and I put Ronald up at our place.

“I knew he been back riding work for Les Bridge for a good while in Sydney and might have got homesick.

“Then he worked with Justin Stanley so the best education was there when we indentured him.  And I knew he was really capable, so strong and can ride at 52 kilos.

“He’s ridden three winners for us recently, unlucky on a couple more for us and other stables - so the success it bringing more opportunities.  Ronald understands all of that.”

Simpson rode Kookabaa for a recent winning double and also had wins on Ginger’s Voice and All Hollywood.

“His rides of Kookabaa were absolute gems, more to come."

The duo combines with Chevron Prince and All Hollywood at Wellington.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Wellington here