Sam Clipperton has been booked to ride Complacent in the 2015 Chelmsford Stakes and the rising hoop is confident that the injury-plagued galloper can hit the line strongly in the Group 2 event at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Clipperton has not recorded a race win since he took out the 2013 edition of the Spring Champion Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
A tendon problem kept Complacent away from the races for almost two years and the Group 1 winner had no luck whatsoever when he was run off the track in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 22.
Clipperton is optimistic about the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival chances of Complacent and he told Sky Racing HQ that the Authorized entire can take another step forward in the 2015 Chelmsford Stakes this weekend.
“I trialed this horse before his first-up run and it wasn’t a bad trial,” Clipperton said.
“He has had a long time off and things didn’t actually go to plan for him in his first-up run, he was scooted off the track by the horse that unfortunately broke there Burbero.
“He has drawn a relatively good gate and if he can have some kind of relatively cosy run, get him to hit the line and put forward an encouraging run for the future then I am sure that will make them really happy.”
Clipperton has a strong book of rides at Royal Randwick tomorrow, but the horse that he is most looking forward to riding, Hauraki, is no certainty to gain a start in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m).
Hauraki needs at least two horses to be removed from the Tramway Stakes field to be assured of a run and Clipperton said that he is absolutely desperate for the Reset gelding to have his first race start since he finished a close second in the Mongolian Khan in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m).
“I am really looking forward to riding this horse and I am also sweating on a couple of scratchings,” Clipperton said.
“I won on this horse in his second career start back in November and that was the only time I have ridden him in a race, but he won very impressive.
“He has gone on to run second in a Derby and he has had two very solid trials this time in.
“If he happens to get a run on Saturday he is going to be streaming home that is for sure.”
Complacent is currently available at 2015 Chelmsford Stakes odds of $31 with Ladbrokes, while Hauraki is at $10 in the Tramway Stakes betting market.
