It’s a clash to savour
RACING, FOOTBALL
WINX and Happy Clapper are set to steal the show in Sydney again when they clash in the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Winx and Happy Clapper were the headline makers on day one of The Championships when the racing was spectacular. Champion mare Winx only had an exhibition gallop but any chance to watch one of the all-time greats in action is savoured by race fans.
Happy Clapper then won the Doncaster Mile at his third attempt, avenging his second placings in the famous Randwick mile behind Winx in 2016 and It’s Somewhat last year.
This sets the stage for Winx and Happy Clapper to go head-to-head again in the 2000m Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which is Sydney’s richest race of the autumn and the feature on day two of The Championships.
Winx is $1.15 favourite with Happy Clapper on the second line of betting at $9. The mighty mare is aiming for her 25th consecutive win, equalling Black Caviar’s record, and her 18th at Group 1 level. She has beaten Happy Clapper in their seven previous meetings.
Trainer Chris Waller said the exhibition gallop would help Winx get rid of some nervous energy, so she “will be in the zone” for Saturday.
Happy Clapper’s trainer Pat Webster said the Doncaster winner had pulled up well and he could find no reason not to back up in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
TOSEN Stardom almost certainly has run his last race after flopping in Saturday’s Doncaster Handicap, Leo
Schlink reports. The Japanese import beat only one runner home, more than seven lengths behind Happy Clapper.
Owner Australian Thoroughbred indicated post-race the seven-year-old would be retired.
Winner of the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes and Toorak Handicap last spring, Tosen Stardom has struggled to reproduce his best this preparation apart from a strong second to stablemate Brave Smash in the Futurity Stakes.
Tosen Stardom is booked to stand his first season at Woodside Park alongside Written Tycoon, Zoustar, Rich Enuff and Cable Bay.
Darren Weir will unleash Humidor and Gailo Chop on Winx in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Humidor was sent to the beach yesterday after finishing eighth in the Doncaster.