Happy Clapper wins Yulong Australia Craven Plate Group 3, $500,000 at Randwick, 2000m.
The grand old campaigner Happy Clapper ,second to Winx five times, broke through for his first win in 18 months for a deserved 12th victory here.
He was caught wide early so jockey Tommy Berry decided at the1200m to surge forward and assume the lead.
Setting a solid pace he bowled along by more than a length but was almost caught at the 500m.
Berry pushed him out by a length at the 350m, held that advantage to the 100m then held on for dear life by a short neck at the line.
Tally was third last at the 800m, went forward four deep turning in and kept going solidly, diving at the winner late for second.
Life Less Ordinary was a clear last at the 600m, equal last at the 400m and finished well out of tight quarters, doing his best work late for third.
Samadoubt moved up to third at the 400m and battled hard to hold fourth. The first four were clear of the rest.
