It has taken Glen Boss until Happy Clapper’s eighth season of racing to get aboard the star but when he finally does at Randwick on Saturday, the pair will present as an undeniable force.
That is because, with the natural exception of Winx and Hugh Bowman, who combined for 10 wins from 11 starts over the 1600 metres at Randwick, it is doubtful there has been a more potent mix to race over the famous mile course.
Boss’ record over the course contains a staggering seven Doncasters, while in eight runs over the Randwick mile, including seven of them at Group 1 level, Happy Clapper has won three times, been runner-up on four occasions – three times to Winx – and also has a fourth in the 2016 Epsom.
All that makes for a salivating first union for Boss and Happy Clapper and is certainly one the rider has been looking forward to since a Bowman injury saw the ride go his way.
“He’s going well, so we are going to have a big throw at the stumps,” Boss said on Wednesday of Saturday’s Group 1 Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main).
“We all know how good he is, especially now he’s had a run under the belt and had a trial so he’s ready to peak.
“Let’s just hope the track is OK as while I know how good he is, I am not sure how good he is on a real Heavy track.”
Boss said he has often ridden against Happy Clapper so knows the nine-year-old’s racing pattern inside out and he reckons Saturday’s race will give the veteran the opportunity to add handsomely to his already $6 million in prizemoney.
“Obviously, horses like Samadoubt will go forward and so will Dreamforce while Angel Of Truth should kick up so he should get a lovely trail behind the ones that he should be following,” Boss said.
“He’s pretty straightforward to ride. He box-seats basically all the time if you want him to.
“If he’s good enough, he’s going to get his chance.”
Happy Clapper has opened up a $4.80 chance for Saturday’s race, behind Avilius ($3) and Dreamforce ($4.60).
– racing.com
