Happy Clapper will be set for inaugural $5 million All-Star Mile

[Nergal]

 

Racing cult figure Happy Clapper will chase the biggest prizemoney bounty of his career in the $5 million All-Star Mile next March.

Trainer Pat Webster has confirmed the horse was making progress from a bleeding attack that ruined his spring.

Webster on Tuesday lodged a nomination for the inaugural race at Flemington on March 16 — where the public will have a vote on the composition of the field — saying the 1600m race was appealing in terms of prizemoney and distance.

With champion Winx still a possibility of having a Melbourne farewell in the All-Star Mile, Webster said that wouldn’t change his plans for Happy Clapper, who was been a long-time bridesmaid behind the superstar mare.

“He’s finished second to Winx three times, and if she nominates for the race there’s a chance we will be running for second place again,” Webster said.

“But whether or not she runs, Happy Clapper will definitely take his place — assuming he gets enough votes.

“He’s a very popular horse, so I’d probably be a little disappointed and surprised if he didn’t get his chance.

“Everywhere you go, people have heard of him. I had a builder come round this morning to give me a quote on some work, and I reckon I got a discount when he found out that I train Happy Clapper.”

The evergreen eight-year-old, who won this year’s Doncaster Handicap, is one of seven early nominations for the All-Star Mile, including last week’s Group 2 Villiers winner Sky Boy. Nominations will close on January 15.

Happy Clapper has amassed $6.3 million in prizemoney, will be racing for the $2.25 million first prize.

“It was our plan to run … in the All-Star Mile from the moment the race was announced,” he said.

“His form over a mile is second only to the greatest mare of all time.”

Happy Clapper hasn’t raced since he suffered a bleed when finishing fifth in the Makybe Diva Stakes in September.

“It’s the first time it’s happened so it took us a little by surprise, and while I’m confident it won’t happen again I won’t risk his health, because he means too much to us,” Webster said.

“The plan is to trial him on January 11 and again two weeks later, then he will kick off in the Apollo Stakes (on February 16) and the Chipping Norton (on March 2). We will bring him to Melbourne after that.”