Brenton Avdulla has formed a winning association with Libran.
Camera IconBrenton Avdulla has formed a winning association with Libran. Credit: AAP

Sydney Cup 2016: Brenton Avdulla chasing Group 1 double with Libran and Happy Clapper at Randwick

Ray ThomasThe Daily Telegraph

STAR jockey Brenton Avdulla is relying on the form stayer of the autumn carnival and the gelding who stretched champion Winx to claim the Sydney Cup-Queen Elizabeth Stakes Group 1 double at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Avdulla and Libran have combined to win three feature races in succession and can continue that momentum in the $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m).

And Happy Clapper backs up from his courageous second to the mighty mare Winx in the Doncaster Mile to line up $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Avdulla, who leads the state premiership after riding his 100th winner on NSW racetracks this season on Libran in last week’s Chairman’s Handicap, believes the stayer has had a perfect preparation for the Sydney Cup.

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“There are two traditional routes to the Sydney Cup through the weight-for-age races or in the handicaps,’’ Avdulla said. “Libran has gone down the handicap path and he has kept improving with every run. He has won the Randwick City Stakes, Manion Cup and Chairman’s Handicap.

“The last two Cup winners, The Offer (2014) and Grand Marshal (2015), came through those races.’’

Libran and his stablemates Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshal dominate Sydney Cup betting and give trainer Chris Waller a powerful entry in the marathon staying test.

In TAB Fixed Odds betting, Libran is $3.50 favourite head of Who Shot Thebarman ($3.80), while Grand Marshal is next at $4.20.

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Avdulla would not swap Libran for any other ride in the race particularly as the stayer drops from the 58kg he carried last week to 53kg on Saturday.

“The big drop in weight is obviously in his favour,’’ Avdulla said. “But what I liked most about his win last week was how well he settled for me in the run.

“All preparation there has been a concern about how he would settle when he got out over a trip but he relaxed beautifully for me in a slowly run race.

Brenton Avdulla celebrates after riding Libran to victory in the Chairman’s Handicap.
Camera IconBrenton Avdulla celebrates after riding Libran to victory in the Chairman’s Handicap. Credit: AAP

“His best work was his last 100m and he ran right through the line.’’

Happy Clapper also backs up after his outstanding Doncaster Mile effort where halfway down the straight he appeared likely to challenge Winx.

“I got to Winx with a bit of momentum and for a few strides I thought I was on the Doncaster winner,’’ Avdulla said. “Happy Clapper ran away from the rest of the field but Winx ran away from him.’’

Happy Clapper goes to 2000m for the first time on Saturday but Avdulla believes the five-year-old gelding will actually be better suited at a middle distance.

“I’ve always thought he was a 2000m horse, he moves like he wants ground,’’ Avdulla said. “In his last few runs he has hit a bit of a flat spot on the corner then picked himself up and finished strongly. This tells me he wants ground.’’

Happy Clapper, right, was a brave second to Winx in the Doncaster.
Camera IconHappy Clapper, right, was a brave second to Winx in the Doncaster. Credit: News Corp Australia, Jenny Evans

Happy Clapper has not backed up so quickly in his 15-start career so far but Avdulla isn’t concerned.

“Pat and Wayne Webster know their horse so well and would not be running him unless he is in good order,’’ the jockey said. “His two weight-for-age runs before the Doncaster were very good and there is no reason why he should not go and run at least top four again.’’

Avdulla’s two Group 1 rides are among an excellent book of seven rides on Day Two of the Championships.

He is also looking forward to riding in-form filly Eygptian Symbol in the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint (1200m) and classy mare Private Secretary in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m).

“They are both racing really well and deserve to win a good race,’’ Avdulla said.

SYDNEY CUP RATINGS

Waller shooting for Cup trifecta

Ray Thomas

CHAMPION trainer Chris Waller is poised to lead in the $2 million Sydney Cup trifecta with Libran, Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshal at Randwick on Saturday.

Form guru Gary Crispe of Racing And Sports said Waller had a mortgage on the Group 1 3200m staying test, with Libran the pick of the stable trio.

“Chris Waller is poised to repeat his feat of 12 months ago and claim the Doncaster Mile-Sydney Cup double,’’ Crispe said.

“He prepared Kermadec (Doncaster) and Grand Marshal (Sydney Cup) to win both races last year and his mighty mare Winx gave him the first leg of the big double last Saturday.

“Waller is only the third trainer in 50 years to prepare the Doncaster Mile-Sydney Cup double after Tommy Smith in 1980 with Iko and Kingston Town and Gai Waterhouse won the two races in 1997 with Secret Savings and Linesman.

“No trainer has won the Doncaster-Sydney Cup double back-to-back but Waller can set racing history on Saturday.’’

Crispe said Timeform ratings indicated Libran was the horse to beat in the Sydney Cup: “Libran has had two campaigns in Australia since arriving from Europe last year for three wins from six starts — all the victories coming at his last three runs.

Who Shot Thebarman will be looking to go one better than last year’s runner-up finish to stablemate Grand Marshal in the Sydney Cup.
Camera IconWho Shot Thebarman will be looking to go one better than last year’s runner-up finish to stablemate Grand Marshal in the Sydney Cup. Credit: News Corp Australia, Colleen Petch

“Two starts back Libran ran out an easy winner of the Manion Cup over 2400m at Rosehill then last Saturday he carried 58kg to a hard fought win in the Chairman’s Handicap over 2600m at Randwick.

“In a slowly run race Libran chased down the leaders in the straight after they had gained a margin on him topping the rise. Libran showed true staying qualities to surge late under his big weight and gain the verdict on the line.’’

Crispe said Libran showed enough stamina and determination at the end of 2600m last week to indicate he would stay a strong 3200m tomorrow, particularly as he drops a significant 5kg in weight.

“In a race where six of the 11 runners have not won a race for 12 months or more, Libran appeals as the horse with the most upside to overcome the class rise,’’ he said. “He holds a margin over his rivals on Timeform ratings when adjusted for weight and the Chairman’s Handicap as the main lead up has provided five of the last six Sydney Cup winners.’’

Crispe said Libran’s main dangers were stablemates Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshal, plus Almoonqith and Gallante.

“Who Shot Thebarman looks to be ticking over nicely and is ready to atone for last year’s narrow defeat in the Sydney Cup,’’ Crispe said.

Originally published as Libran puts Avdulla in happy place