Happy Clapper ready to start spring mission aimed at Epsom Handicap

IT’S just as well every horse isn’t like Happy Clapper otherwise Pat Webster concedes his training days could be numbered.

Happy Clapper will return in the Tramway Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jenny Evans

IT’S just as well every horse isn’t like Happy Clapper otherwise Pat Webster concedes his training days could be numbered.

“Jeez, it would be a good life being a horse trainer if every horse was like him,” the trainer said. “Actually, not really, because you would have everyone wanting to be a horse trainer.

“The interstate truck driver, the bus driver, they would all want to be a horse trainer and there wouldn’t be room.”

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Not only is Happy Clapper a pleasure to train each morning but he rarely runs a bad race.

The six-year-old came of age last season, winning the Group 2 Villiers Stakes in December before running second and third respectively in the Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Webster, who is also a boutique cattle farmer and a drug and alcohol mentor for Racing NSW’s industry training department, has had some handy horses over the years, including 1999 TJ Smith Stakes winner Ab Initio.

But he is hopeful Happy Clapper could yet become the best horse he has trained.

“His first race start at Kembla (in 2013) he got a long way back and flew home to run third and I remember standing there and I said to my wife, ‘We have got something special here’,” Webster said. “He might not be up there with Winx but you know he will go out there and be competitive.

“Have a look at his form, first-up, second-up, third-up and so on, he is always competitive.”

Happy Clapper’s main spring aim will be the Epsom Handicap. Picture: Jenny Evans

Happy Clapper returns in Saturday’s Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on the way to another tilt at Group 1 glory in the Epsom Handicap on October 1.

He is the $4.60 Tramway favourite with TAB but Webster concedes he may be vulnerable “first up over 1400m after a lengthy spell”.

“He may find it a bit hard (first up) but having said that he is an honest racehorse,” he said. “Our major goal is the Epsom and we are (on track for) that.”