Weight of expectation
Jockey drops 5kg to prepare for Flemington debut in Myer Classic
SAM Clipperton is leaving nothing to chance as he chases a breakthrough Group 1 success at Flemington today.
The young Sydney jockey has had to shed 5kg in three weeks to ride glamour filly Stay With Me at 49kg in the $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m).
Clipperton has been on a strict diet and fitness program as he peeled the kilos off his lean frame to ride Stay With Me, a $4.50 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds.
But 21-year-old has never ridden at Flemington before so he took the opportunity to walk the track with Sydney jockeys Tommy Berry and another course novice, Mitchell Bell, yesterday.
Bell is in Melbourne to ride outstanding NSW country sprinter Artlee in the Group 3 $200,000 Guvera Stakes.
Stay With Me’s trainer David Hayes said he had been impressed by Clipperton’s riding form and particularly the young man’s attitude and de- termination since offering him the Myer Classic ride.
“Sam seems a nice, bright kid, a confident young man, and he has worked hard at his weight to get down for Stay With Me,’’ Hayes said.
Stay With Me has drawn the outside of the 15-horse field but Hayes is not overly concerned by the barrier.
“I have spoken to Sam about the task he faces but, from the wide barrier, he will have to ride the filly patiently and produce her late,’’ Hayes said.
“If we get the luck in running, then Stay With Me, who is a big, strong filly, can really unleash that brilliant finishing burst she showed in the Thousand Guineas.’’
Stay With Me is striving to become the first three-yearold filly to beat the older mares in the Myer Classic.
Hayes said Stay With Me was still among entries for the Victoria Oaks next Thursday and also the Emirates Stakes on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“If she is very dominant in the Myer we might think about another run at Flemington,’’ he said.
“I feel she is an autumn filly and if she has won two Group 1 races in the spring, then she would have done her job.’’