Damien Oliver secures Cox Plate ride

Clinton Payne - Wednesday October 18

Two-time Cox Plate-winning jockey Damien Oliver will have a ride against Winx in Saturday week's $3 million Group I Cox Plate (2040m).

Advertisement
Damien Oliver gets a Cox Plate gig. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Oliver will replace Blake Shinn aboard the Pat Webster-trained Happy Clapper in the weight-for-age championship of Australia.

"The last time we went to Melbourne with one and used Ollie was Thankgodyou'rehere, and he ran second on the horse," Webster said. "Going to Melbourne the owner wanted a jockey that rides there every week.

"He's won the race twice you know."

Oliver was aboard Happy Clapper's half-brother Thankgodyou'rehere when the horse finished second to Woorim on Victoria Derby Day in 2011.

Webster said Happy Clapper had come through his second placing in the Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick last Saturday as well as could be expected.

"He felt the run but no worse than his previous ones," he said. "He'll go for a swim today and we're looking forward to going to Melbourne.

"We'll head down next week. He's been to Moonee Valley before so we don't need to be there on Tuesday morning."

Happy Clapper is a $21 chance in the Cox Plate with Winx dominating betting at $1.20.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Karaka Millions and NZB Kiwi Opportunities in Ready to Run Sale
More than ever before, horses bought from the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka will be eligible to compete for significant prize-money within 18 months of their purchase.
Dream Comes True for Kiwi Owner Breeders
Heather and Peter Crofskey are pinching themselves as they prepare to hop on a flight to Melbourne to watch their pride and joy Leica Lucy contest Saturday’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
600k Fantasy World Heads Third Day of Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale
FANTASY WORLD was one of three lots to realise 500,000 guineas or more on the third day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale which saw significant increases to the median, average and turnover from the equivalent session in 2024.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 29
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vin Cox to Join Forces with Star Thoroughbreds
Leading Australian syndicator Star Thoroughbreds has announced it will be partnering with Vin Cox for the 2026 yearling sales season.
Waller Racing Swoop on Blueblood Frankel at Tattersalls HIT
The third session of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale is playing out and Chris Waller Racing are on the buyer’s list securing a blueblood three year-old colt by champion sire Frankel.
2025 Victoria Derby Pedigree Preview - Who is Bred to Stay?
The Group I VRC Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday is worth a whopping $2 million and the testing trip of 2500m means a lot of horses are not going to see it out strongly and this looks a competitive year with no G1 winners engaged and a full field of up and comers set to do battle, so let’s see what the pedigrees have to say.
Mare in Foal to Home Affairs Tops MM Digital at $350,000
Impeccably related mare Taste of Heaven topped the first Magic Millions Digital Sale conducted today.
High Hopes for Pencarrow Stud Homebred Farnan Filly
Passiflora will provide her connections with a sound guide at Tauranga as to where she sits in the three-year-old pecking order.
Walker Upbeat Heading into Flemington
Trainer Mark Walker will have a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, headed by last start Listed 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) winner Azazel, with lightly-tried McWoody also making the field.