3 minute read
It wouldn’t surprise jockey Sam Clipperton one bit if Raging Bull develops into a very smart galloper next season given he’s under the eye of master trainer David Payne.
It's something the expat South African trainer has done time and time again with a promising young horse – give them some experience with a run or two in the winter to have them blossoming in spring.
Clipperton is excited to find out how much improvement the gelding has made from his first outing into the E Group Security Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
"He looks like a nice progressive type, he's a lovely horse that next season as a three-year-old he could stamp himself as a real classic type,'' Clipperton said.
"He's with the right trainer in David Payne and if this horse keeps raising the bar I'm sure there are big plans next season.
"He put in a really good run at his first start and it will be good to see how he goes. Provided he takes improvement from his first run, which no doubt he will, he should be competitive."
Raging Bull, $6 with TAB on Friday, hit the line strongly on debut over 1400m on June 5 finishing third behind Cape Breton and Hundred Proof, he'll meet the latter again on Saturday.
Clipperton said inexperience was largely the reason behind his flat spot in the middle stages but was impressed with how he rallied late, he ran the race's fastest last 200m of 11.74 (Punter's Intelligence).
"He had a nice run, he just came off the bridle at the 600m and the more seasoned horses were a little more brilliant to him from the 400m-200m but once he wound up and got into his stride he really hit the line strong,'' he said.
"He's still probably going to need a bit further and a few months under his belt but he's heading in the right direction.
"It's a competitive race and he will have to step up again but he's drawn the right barrier to get a soft run and he's up to a distance that will suit."
Consistent stayer Stockman will get his preferred conditions as he attempts to break through in the Listed $150,000 XXXX McKell Cup (2400m) after he ran on into third in the Winter Cup two weeks ago behind subsequent Brisbane Cup winner Knights Order.
Clipperton, who was on board in Stockman's last win on a heavy track in June 2020, rode the gelding into second behind No Compromise at his previous start and is hoping to make a little more use of a good barrier after drawing the outside last time.
"He's a model of consistency and the rain will enhance his chances,'' he said.
"He has to come back from 2400m to 2000m which is not ideal but he has drawn a barrier where he can probably settle a bit closer and not give away so much ground.
"Provided he has a bit of dash in his legs for the 2000m down on the limit I can see him being a live chance."
One horse Clipperton is keen to stick with is Expat, who is an emergency and drawn wide in the Bowermans Commercial Furniture Handicap (1300m), wherever she heads next.
The filly resumed with a fourth in the Listed Denise's Joy (1100m) then finished a game third behind Majestic Shot two weeks ago and Clipperton was rapt with the latter performance.
He warns if Mark Newnham elects not to run her on Saturday, should she gain a start, don't forget about her when she does reappear.
"She's a lovely horse, I think getting out to 1300m will really suit,'' he said.
"She had a lovely run but just chased a hot speed, if you watch the run she was strongest the last 100m and through the line.
"She pings the barriers and puts herself on speed and takes luck out of the equation. If she lines up the outside draw is going to be difficult but she's one to keep an eye on for sure."