Trainer John Thompson anticipates improved performances from Screen Icon and El Castello as they prepare to compete in key races at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Screen Icon, a three-year-old filly by Nicconi, will contest the $300,000 Group 2 Furious Stakes over 1200 meters, aiming to build on her recent run in the Silver Shadow Stakes. In that race, she tracked the leader, Pembrey, but faded late to finish well behind. Thompson believes a more measured riding approach will benefit Screen Icon this time, with jockey Nash Rawiller replacing Chad Schofield. "She needs to be ridden a bit quieter than what she was the other day," Thompson said, explaining that previous tactics caused the filly to expend too much energy early. Screen Icon draws barrier four, which Thompson views as advantageous in the fillies’ feature event. The filly has previously shown potential, narrowly missing victory when finishing second in the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes during her last preparation.

Thompson’s stable will also field Group 1 winner El Castello in the $300,000 Group 2 Tramway Stakes over 1400 meters. The five-year-old has not recorded a win since the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes and is now in his second campaign under Thompson’s care. The gelding was gelded mid-preparation in his previous campaign, which coincided with a drop in form. However, Thompson reports encouraging signs during the current spring season, noting that El Castello’s attitude has improved. “We let him be a horse for a while and his attitude is a lot better, he is just a normal horse now,” Thompson said. He added that El Castello shows effort in training and that three different jockeys—Chad Schofield, Tommy Berry, and Nash Rawiller—have all observed the horse’s strong work and fitness. Tommy Berry is set to ride El Castello, who starts at odds of $61.

Saturday’s races serve as important benchmarks for both horses as they look to regain or establish winning form in their respective divisions.