Clark happy after a $6045 hat-trick

At no stage before the 300m mark did Let’s Be Happy look like the winner of the Women In Racing Magazines Hcp (1400m) at the Sandown Hillside but win she did.

The five-year-old mare, in a purple patch of form, made it a city hat-trick all at generous odds.

In fact her winning prices for those wins have been $31, $26 and today $6.50.

Any punter who had placed a dollar a win and let it ride would now have $6045.

The big prices may have something to do with her hobby trainer Mick Clark.

In the days of huge money ruling racing, Clark trains just two horses from Victorian provincial town Horsham.

The other horse Chief Tomahas is a three-year-old yet to race.

Clark, a one-time apprentice jockey, is the manager of a support group for disabilities and mental health.

It is a job that takes up a lot of his time, but racing is becoming ever increasingly enjoyable.

”I’ve only ever had a couple of horses because of the nature of my work,” he said.

“But it’s too hard to try and make a living out of this caper (horse racing) so I’m happy just pottering around with a few.”

Let’s Be Happy was caught three wide without cover in the field of six.

Coming to the home turn apprentice Jack Hill was pushing her along.

Her rivals were still travelling well but at the 300m, it all changed.

Let’s Be Happy joined leaders Tariana and Always Discreet and went right on by.

Nothing else challenged and small mare by Brief Truce and Happy Realm was again too good.

Let’s Be Happy’s win came just seven days after a Moonee Valley victory.

Clark engaged Hill to get the advantage of his two kilogram claim.

“It is a great thrill, it was a great ride bring on Black Caviar,” Clark joked.

“She is very tough, cops everything.

“I wasn’t frightened to back her up, I’ve done it on three different occasions – she won one and should have won the other two.

“The 1400m (was the issue) on a heavy track it nearly makes it 1500m, we are very pleased.

“I thought if we get a couple of kilos off her she would be coming in with the weight she has been winning with.

“This (racing) is getting better.”

Tariana, $3.50 fav, failed didn’t handle the wet track and faded badly.

Race 3 – 2:00PM Women in Racing Magazines Handicap (1400 METRES)
Of $70,000.1st $42,700, 2nd $12,600, 3rd $6,300, 4th $3,150, 5th $1,750, 6th $700, 7th $700, 8th $700, 9th $700, 10th $700
0 – 89, Handicap, Minimum Weight 53kg, Three-Years-Old and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Apprentices can claim.Track Condition: Heavy 8 Time: 1:28.21 Last 600m: 0:37.06 INTERIM RESULTSOffical Comments: Track downgraded to (HEAVY 8) @ 1:30pm after Race 2.

 

Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Starting Price
1 3 LET’S BE HAPPY Mick Clark Jack Hill (a2) 6 56kg (cd 54kg) $6.50
2 4 ALWAYS DISCREET Michael Hickmott Ms Katelyn Mallyon (a3) 1.75L 3 55.5kg (cd 52.5kg) $4.60
3 5 SHE’S GIFTED Greg Eurell Chris Symons 2.5L 1 53.5kg $4.40
4 1 DASOUDI (NZ) Darren Weir Daniel Stackhouse (a2) 5.75L 4 59kg (cd 57kg) $5.50
5 7 KAYARBEE Greg Eurell Dwayne Dunn 7L 5 53kg (cd 53.5kg) $41
6 6 TARIANA Mick Price Craig Newitt 12.5L 2 53.5kg $3.50F
2 PSYCHOLOGIST Tony Vasil Jordan Mallyon (a2) 0

 

 

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