Having won the Woodlands Stakes (1100m) in 2021 with Xtremetime, trainer John Thompson is optimistic that Vingt Neuf Noir can follow in her footsteps this weekend at Scone.

The Randwick-based trainer has likened the I Am Invincible filly to his previous winner, noting her improvement since her debut in the Inglis Nursery (1000m) where she finished midfield behind Within The Law.

“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 is aiming to join an impressive list of Woodlands winners, including Group 1 performers In Secret, Libertini, and the late Xtremetime herself.

Thompson’s other runner at the Scone meeting is Clear Proof, who resumes in the Lion Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) after being scratched midweek when he misbehaved at the gates.

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

Punters interested in Vingt Neuf Noir or Clear Proof can find value markets and racing offers at Australia’s most trusted betting sites.