Happy Clapper’s emotional race
Standing ovation guaranteed with a win
IN the cutthroat world of thoroughbred horse racing, there is little room for emotion and sentiment.
But at Randwick today, if Happy Clapper looms up to win the Group 1 $1 million Epsom Handicap (1600m), many punters might start cheering for the horse even if they haven’t backed him.
Happy Clapper is trained by Pat Webster, the popular Randwick horseman, who has prepared his stable star to the minute for the big race. This is despite Webster having to do a lot of the work without his son and foreman, Wayne, who is having treatment for cancer.
“If Happy Clapper can win the Epsom, it would probably mean more to my son,’’ Webster said this week.
Star jockey Brenton Avdulla, who rides Happy Clapper, is being inspired to produce something special in the Epsom.
“Wayne has been a big part of Happy Clapper’s development,’’ Avdulla said.
“I know Wayne is in a hard battle at the moment – but if his horse can win, it would be huge.’’
So, can Happy Clapper ($8) be the feelgood story of the Sydney spring carnival by winning the Epsom Handicap today?
Avdulla believes Happy Clapper is ready for a careerbest effort in the big race.
“Happy Clapper has had the same preparation for the Epsom as he had going into the Doncaster back in the autumn when he ran second to Winx,’’ Avdulla said.
“He is third-up for the Epsom, it’s his ‘ grand final’ and I feel he is in very good order to run as well as he can.
“If that is good enough, he will be hard to beat and I believe his best is good enough.’’
Happy Clapper is a proven Randwick miler, winning the Villiers Stakes and running second to the mighty mare Winx in the Doncaster Mile during the autumn at his only two attempts over today’s Epsom Handicap course.
“He ranged up to Winx in the Doncaster Mile and for one or two strides at about the furlong (200m) I thought I had her but she was just too good,’’ Avdulla said. “Today he is back to 1600m, back to his right distance range.
“I think this horse just keeps getting better and better, he’s still only lightly raced but he is maturing now and if he stays sound there is plenty of racing in him.’’
Avdulla is striving for a second Epsom Handicap win after taking out the race on Secret Admirer in 2011.
Lightweight chance Fabrizio ($7.50) was yesterday heavily backed to win the Epsom and was pushing Hauraki and McCreery ($5.50) for favouritism.