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By Tony Megahey

Pony-sized but big hearted Claptone is primed to deliver 30-year country trainer Julie Lynch her most significant win in the traditional Walcha Cup at Friday’s booming TAB meeting.

The journeyed gelding, amidst a fourth stable change and raced in four states, carries an attractive 55kg for regular rider Mikayla Weir in the $45,000 Elders Rural Services Walcha Cup (1440m) feature that has attracted the finest northern gallopers.

Claptone (Mikayla Weir) holds them all off at Armidale. Image by Bradley Photographers

The Outreach protégé won’t know himself according to Kempsey-based Julie after burdened with 63kg and 60kg winning twice at Armidale, and the latest with 55kg at Port Macquarie for Weir, leading throughout.

“He’s only small but brave and racing so well with weight but that wide draw (11) on a tight track, big field we’ll need some luck,” Julie explained.

Walcha is tight and turning with a 1400m circumference, a 300m straight and the 1440m start on a sweeping turn.

“Mikayla led on him at ‘Port’ but he had the rails draw, she’ll just have to see what happens at the jump and make a decision.”

Claptone at five years has been a revelation winning three recent races for Julie.

And right in it up to his ears for a fourth with the major weight drop in stronger grade.

Claptone was originally trained at Murwillumbah with regional premiership mentor Matthew Dunn, then sold and moved to Victoria to the Weeding then Newing stables, and finally back to the Northern Rivers with Lynch.

The slightly built galloper has the versatility of wins from 1200m to 1600m and overall an admirable seven wins and 11 placings from 42 starts.

“I think racing as well as he is, was getting him out to the 1400m,1600m range,” Julie added. “With a bit more age and maturity he just didn’t have the early zip to stay with them at 1000m and 1200m and his form indicates that.

“It’d be lovely if we could win a Country Cup, I’ve won a smaller country feature but not Cup at this level.”

Julie is a passionate career horsewoman who started riding as a schoolgirl helper with the renowned Kelly family and regional riding great “Skeeter” Kelly at Manilla on the Northern Rivers.

In early markets Claptone is prominent with Inverell Cup winner Zaidin the $3.90 favourite, along with regular Cups contender Tom’s Knight ($15) and Red Beryl ($11).

At present Walcha is a Soft 7 in fine weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Walcha here