Trainer John Thompson knows what it takes to win the Woodlands Stakes (1100m), and he believes his filly Vingt Neuf Noir fits the bill ahead of Saturday’s edition at Scone.

Thompson won the race back in 2021 with Xtremetime and sees parallels between that promising filly and Vingt Neuf Noir, who resumes in this year’s renewal of the feature. The Woodlands has a proud honour roll that includes In Secret (2022), Flippant (2015), Libertini (2019), and Lazzura (2024).

Xtremetime’s win came at Rosehill during the Covid lockdown period, but her career was sadly cut short following a race fall later that year. Thompson says his current prospect shares similar traits and potential.

“This filly is a similar sort of filly,” Thompson said.

“She was thrown in the deep end (in the Inglis Nursery) but she had shown she went well at home and if that race hadn’t been there, I probably wouldn’t have run her. I would have just put her away.

“But we gave her a go, she was raw and green and she has come on from that. Her race smarts have improved and she will run well.

“She’s a very straightforward filly and she has got an exciting future.”

Vingt Neuf Noir debuted in the Inglis Nursery (1000m), where she finished midfield behind Within The Law, and now returns with added maturity.

Thompson also saddles Clear Proof in the Lion Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). The gelding missed a recent Warwick Farm start after misbehaving in the barriers, but Thompson remains confident in his ability.

“I thought he was a good chance at Warwick Farm the other day and he reared in the gates and got his leg over,” he said.

“He has got ability this horse. He just needs a bit of racing and time and it will start to come out now that he has been gelded.”

Back Vingt Neuf Noir in the Woodlands Stakes or follow Clear Proof’s return with value odds available across Australia’s top betting sites.