The record is held by Jack Thompson (no relation) who had notched up 3322 winners when he retired in 1980.

As at April 31 Robert had 3294 winners to his credit, and a new Australian record could be established within the next week or two.

Last week Robert won the Group One AJC Australian Oaks (2400m) on Heavenly Glow for Rosehill trainer Allen Denham. The previous week he rode Heavenly Glow to success in the Group One Arrowfield Sires (2000m).

The three year old filly is part owned by Taree trainer Ross Stitt, for whom Robert has been riding winners at many Australian race tracks for over 20 years.

Although “RT” will celebrate his 50th birthday this month there is no thought of retirement. A two year break from the saddle following a race fall at Warwick Farm in 2004 has not dulled his enthusiasm, and his tally of winners of late is testimony of has superb form.

Robert rode his first winner ay Wyong in 1973 when he was 14 years and 10 months old. However he made earlier appearances in the saddle at Muswellbrooks Skellatar Park in the 1960’s.

His father, Cessnock trainer Arthur Thompson, often popped his then five or six year old into the saddle as the horses paraded before the race. Of course race day stewards would take a dim view of such happenings today!

Maybe “last race Thommo” as he is affectionately known because he often won the last race of the day to send followers home on a winning note, could establish a new Australian record at Skellatar Park on Woodlands Star Kingdom day on Monday, May 18, or Scone Cup day on May 23. Three generations of the Englebrecht family- all trainers – gathered at Wyong racecourse on Thursday of last week to witness the youngest of the trio saddle up her first race starter.

Matriarch of the family, Muswellbrook trainer Rita Englebrecht, made the trip to Wyong to support her 22 year old grand daughter Gabrielle, who is the daughter of Rita’s son Stephen, a Warwick Farm trainer.

Gabrielle, who also trains out of stables at Warwick Farm, saddled up three year old filly Orphelia, which, unfortunately, was unplaced in the first race of the day.

The youngest of the Englebrecht trainers has 13 horses in work and boasts Gerry Harvey of Harvey Norman fame, as one of her valued clients.

Rita, who is the widow of former prominent trainer Ron, had some tongue in cheek advice for her grand daughter when she was granted a trainer’s licence last year: “Buy a big deep freeze and stock it well during the good times; there are going to be plenty of bleak times!”

Local trainers have been having a lean time in recent days with winners few and far between. On Friday at Armidale, Mack Griffith led in Helluva Dancer, impressive winner of the Rating 57 Handicap over 1300 metres. The four-year- old gelding was sent out 4.00 favourite and never gave his backers any cause for concern as he cruised to a half length win from Violent Reaction.

Helluva Dancer was ridden by Tamworth district apprentice jockey Jessica Drury, who went on to win the Willow Tree Cup on Regency Pearl at Quirindi on Sunday by a long neck from Pants Man, trained at Muswellbrook by Stephen Gleeson.

Another Muswellbrook trainer Pat Farrell, has to settle for second place with Fuselage, ridden by local apprentice T McIntosh, in the 1000m Rating 57 Handicap.