Clipperton reaches Everest pinnacle after nearly giving the game away

As Sam Clipperton went past the post to win The Everest on Think About It, the weight of a week of drama at home and years of hard work fell from his shoulders.

The young man who had given away riding a couple of years ago was at the top of Australian racing.

An emotional Sam Clipperton returns to the enclosure on Think About It.Credit: Getty

“I was just heaving, I actually thought I was going to pass out,” Clipperton said. “I have never felt like that on a horse before.

“I was tearing up and every emotion went through my body. It was amazing.”

Clipperton had produced the perfect ride on the Everest favourite, getting the perfect trail one out-one back, and had Think About It in clear air at the top of the straight.

“About the 300, when I hit the front – he wasn’t going to beat from there,” Clipperton said. “He is too good of a horse and had too many gears left for anything to beat me.

“Even though it looked like they were coming, he was looking for them and had something left.

“I have been visualising this since he won his Premiere [Stakes]. I just thought ‘he’s got too many gears they won’t beat him’.

“I couldn’t say that out loud but that’s what I felt, and he’s just proven me right.”

Sam Clipperton hoists The Everest trophy high.Credit: Getty

Think About It ($4.40) had a long neck to spare from I Wish I Win ($5) and there was another neck to his stablemate Private Eye ($7).

The wave of emotion had Clipperton shaking as he weighed in before grabbing a bottle of water. His wife, Morgan, was waiting for him, knowing how tough he had done it during the week.

“We have been as crook as dogs all week. [Daughter] Addie brought something home from day care and Sam has been worried he would get it,” Morgan said. “It just added to the pressure of this, and it makes it better.”

Clipperton, who had battled when he returned from a stint riding in Hong Kong a couple of years ago, still had to be a dad. He is a different man these days and still a great jockey.

“Addie was sick and wanted me to play with her and I’m like The Everest, but I manned up and did, and then on Thursday I got a runny nose and thought oh no,” he said. “There is so much more to my life now, but it was probably what makes this so special and why I feel like I do.

“It just comes down to my family and team around me.

“When I came back from Hong Kong, I tried too hard. I was letting people down, letting myself down, so I took a break.

“I grew my hair out, and grew a beard, Morgan nearly divorced me, but I had a good six months spell and came back to what I love.

“You have days like this and that all comes out.”

Luke Nolen on I Wish I Win was slicing between runners late but was being held on the post.

“He was terrific. The draw probably did us no favours,” Nolen lamented.

“I thought he was every hope but brave under the circumstances. Just didn’t get the chance to find free air and build. He has run super.”

Private Eye had a tougher run from his wider draw.

“He was very gallant,” jockey Nash Rawiller said. “He got into a position where you don’t want to be, but at the same time he got very comfortable,” Rawiller said. “I was just watching Think About It the whole race and wishing I was where you are.

“My bloke travelled up beautifully and gave his heart and soul.”

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