Happy Clapper's Epsom win a perfect end to Pat Webster's 50-year career
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A life spent in racing came to a peak for Pat Webster when Happy Clapper finally delivered a group 1 in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.
Popular moment: Jockey Blake Shinn celebrates with Pat Webster after winning the Epsom Handicap at Randwick. Photo: AAP
Webster, who started as an apprentice in 1967, had won big races before but nothing like the big spring mile. He deserved it, so did Happy Clapper.
There has not been a more popular win at Randwick this century.
The seven-year-old had been runner-up in two Doncasters, fourth in last year’s Epsom but this was his time.
His second to Winx in the George Main Stakes last start after winning the Tramway Stakes showed that.
“He will probably be the last horse I will train,” Webster said. “I’m not getting any younger and I’m not going to find another like him. I have 16 group winners but this is what you want, a group 1. I had to get it eventually.”
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Webster had to shake nearly everyone’s hand at Randwick after the race as the well-wishers line-up. He couldn’t even ring his wife Christine.
Always looked the winner: Blake Shinn and Happy Clapper storm home. Photo: AAP
“I have have to ring the bride. I told her I would if we won,” Webster said. “She doesn’t come to the races because she gets too nervous.”
Webster was nervous in the run as Blake Shinn put Happy Clapper in the box seat one out-one back and produced him at the right time in the straight.
“I thought he was too close, but he was just too good,” Webster said. “We always knew he’d get better with age and he did. The blinkers have made the difference.
“I have just been training him like a drunken man. Go on and put the bridle on and take them off. He’s a fresh horse, which suits me and he proved that today.”
Shinn, who celebrated his 30th birthday during the week, said he just rode him like the best horse in the race and never felt like he was going to get beaten. He hit the front half down the straight and then had to withstand a late charge from Tom Melbourne, which got within a half length but never looked like beating Happy Clapper. Snitzson was another 2 lengths away in third.
“I just rode him where he want to be and like the best in the race that he was,” Shinn said. “I probably got to the front too early. [Tom Melbourne] was coming quickly and he may have sensed it because that last 50m he did respond again.
“It is one of those wins you really want because of the people involved.
“It’s their [Websters] first Group 1 and it obviously means a lot, not only to them but for me as well to do it for them.”
Owner Michael Thomas was delighted to lead his champion back.
“He is the fourth generation we have bred and to have a group 1 winner now makes him the best horse I have had,” he said.
Glen Boss was full of praise for Tom Melbourne, which settle well back and had to pick his way through the field.
“I had a lot of horse coming to the turn and he went for run at 350m mark that closed but it didn’t make a difference. I just went to another option,” Boss said. “He just could pick up the winner.
“Chris [Waller] has got him flying this preparation. He ran his heart out today and there’s a Group 1 win in him shortly.”
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