Trainer Pat Webster is not frightened to take on champion mare Winx with Happy Clapper after his stable star was brilliant in winning the Group 1 $500,000 Bisley Workwear Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick today.
Happy Clapper claimed his second Group 1 victory to add to his win in the Group 1 $1m Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick during the 20117 Sydney Spring Carnival and will now meet Winx in the Group 1 $1m China Horse Club George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill in a fortnight.
“They look different on race day in the enclosure and when I saw him today I thought he was going to run great and he did,” Webster said.
“Just hope I haven’t took too much out of him first up but who cares, it is a Group 1 and now he can probably run second to the great mare (Winx) and then be a chance in the Doncaster.”
Runner up Global Glamour ($5.50) set a hot pace up front and skipped away in the straight but the slick speed suited Happy Clapper ($4.60 favourite) who stormed home to record a one and a quarter lengths win over the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained mare.
The Kris Lees trained Invincible Gem ($7.50) raced in a forward position and held on to run third.
Happy Clapper will also be set for the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 7 and is now on the second line of betting at $9 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
The James Cummings trained Kementari is now the clear $4.60 favourite for the Doncaster Mile after winning the Group 1 $1m Mostyn Copper Group Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick today.