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By Ray Hickson

Trainer John Thompson is confident he’s finally winning the battle with Clear Proof’s feet and is hopeful he can show a return to form at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Trainer John Thompson (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Last winter Clear Proof hit the ground running with a debut win and a second in the Listed Rosebud, prompting Thompson to give him a chance in the Group 1 Golden Rose.

He didn’t measure up and was gelded and after two runs back Thompson said the platform is there this time to perform in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1300m).

Clear Proof, $23 with TAB on Tuesday, was beaten 5-1/2 lengths by subsequent Hawkesbury Guineas winner Media World but did make some ground to run eighth.

“In his second trial he lost a front plate in the trial and he trod on the toe clip, he had a 10 cent piece size hole in his foot so we had to give him a few weeks to get over that,’’ Thompson said.

“I thought at Warwick Farm the other day it was right. When we trotted him up at home my rider said he was right but you can’t replicate race speed at home.

“Nash said he couldn’t give his top gear, he could feel him holding back and couldn’t hit the line.

“In saying that he got a long way back.”

A common factor in his first couple of starts was forgiving ground and he’ll get that at Warwick Farm with the track rated well into the soft range.

Thompson said he can see no problems with Clear Proof’s feet so there should be no excuses on that front.

“He’s had another couple of weeks, the foot is good, it’s all healed up and I’ve put the blinkers back on too so it’ll make a big difference,” he said.

“He showed promise early and we persisted a bit because he showed ability but he needed gelding badly. He likes soft tracks so that’s to his advantage.”

Thompson will be represented by the consistent Hellbent On You in the TAB Handicap (1300m) with stablemate Flying Embers going around at Kembla Grange on Tuesday.

The mare was narrowly beaten by Candlewick, who started equal favourite in the Hawkesbury Guineas last weekend, at Warwick Farm three weeks ago and he sees no reason why she can’t hold her form.

“She’s going great, she’s honest and has been running well. The form around her is good,’’ he said.

“She’s won over 1500m so the distance shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve been spacing her runs and keeping her happy and she’s been running well.”

Braith Nock, the new leader in the Sydney Apprentice Premiership, has been on board the four-year-old in all three runs this campaign and Thompson was rapt with how he handled a curve ball last start.

He’s hopeful Hellbent On You won’t be giving away as much start as she did in that 1200m event.

“It just depends on how she jumps, you just ride her where she’s comfortable,’’ he said.

“We were planning to ride her closer the other day but she was slow to jump, the horse next to her was mucking around in the gates and it put her off a bit.

“The kid was smart, he went to Plan B and rode her wherever she was and she ran well.”

Hellbent On You runs second at Wariwck Farm on April 16

Ellismayne makes his debut in the Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Plate (1000m) and Thompson said he’s a horse to keep an eye on for the future.

“It’s a bit short for him, he’s probably a 1400m/mile type horse but he’s trialling well and will run a cheeky race,’’ he said.

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting