Te Akau Shark in Peak Condition

Ray Thomas of The Daily Telegraph reports:

Pat Webster, trainer of Happy Clapper, had three words when asked his biggest concern going into the Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday: “Te Akau Shark”.

Webster said Happy Clapper has had a faultless preparation for the weight-for-age race but the trainer is cognisant of the task confronting the evergreen nine-year-old after his recent clash with Te Akau Shark in the Chipping Norton Stakes over the Randwick mile course three weeks ago.

Happy Clapper didn't have the best of luck finishing fifth, beaten two lengths, as Te Akau Shark monstered his rivals with a stunning fast-finishing sprint.

“Te Akau Shark is obviously a very good horse, he's the one to beat,'' Webster said.

“But you can't worry about one horse all the time or we would never have raced against Winx all those times. All I can do is get Happy Clapper ready for the race and I can say I can't be happier with the horse.''

Happy Clapper has been improved by two runs from a spell and does boast an outstanding third-up record.

Some of the biggest wins of his career have been third-up from a spell including the 2017 Epsom Handicap, 2018 Doncaster Mile and the Craven Plate last year.

But Sydney's most popular racehorse is out to $17 for the George Ryder where Te Akau Shark is a pronounced $2 favourite.

“Happy Clapper will creep into double figures when he turns 10 in August and he is creeping into double figure odds a bit these days,'' Webster said.

“It wasn't his fault what happened to him last start, look where the leader Dreamforce finished (eighth) but old ‘Clapper' ran fifth but was in the photo for third,'' Webster said.

“His work earlier this week was very good, he's eaten everything so he's thriving, he's just a marvel.''

Te Akau Shark is following the “Winx trail” this autumn carnival with three weight-for-age runs culminating in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.

Winx won the Chipping Norton Stakes-George Ryder Stakes-Queen Elizabeth Stakes treble the last three years and Te Akau Shark showed he is on target to complete the Group 1 treble after his outstanding win in the first leg.

Timeform's ratings expert Gary Crispe said Te Akau Shark returned a new peak rating of 126 in the Chipping Norton Stakes and should have no trouble coming back slightly in trip to 1500m on Saturday.

“Although he comes back a shade in trip, regular rider Opie Bosson will make the necessary in-race adjustments to ensure ‘The Shark' is within striking distance of the leaders turning for home,'' Crispe said.

“Under that scenario, Te Akau Shark should again be too strong for his rivals.''

Crispe gives Dreamforce another chance after he faded in the straight when eighth, beaten four lengths in the Chipping Norton Stakes.

“This was only Dreamforce's second run in over three months so further improvement can be expected,'' Crispe said.

“If he can return to his 120 Timeform rating when he resumed with his second to Alizee in the Apollo Stakes that would put him in the frame.

“With Nash Rawiller back in the saddle, don't be surprised if Dreamforce is in proceedings for a long way.''

Crispe said last start Group 1 Canterbury Stakes winner The Bostonian could be a “surprise packet at odds again”.

“The Bostonian is a winner at 1600m so the Ryder trip is of no concern and his record second-up is strong with three wins from six attempts,'' Crispe said. “The wetter the track the better for him.''

Crispe said the three-year-olds Super Seth, Brandenburg and Spend loom as fringe hopes with Super Seth boasting the best Timeform rating of the trio with a figure of 117.

“Super Seth, as a Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner over Alligator Blood, does boast a solid form line with the ability to improve his peak Timeform rating,'' he said.

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