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There’s no reason a match up with Winx shouldn’t be in Happy Clapper’s future after the popular gelding showed couldn’t be going better with his performance in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

Punters Intel data revealed Happy Clapper ran his last 600m in 33.31, easily the fastest of the race, he ran 10.80 from the 400m-200m and his last 200m of 11.40 was again superior to anything else.

That was evident as he powered away in the closing stages, proving he’s on target to emulate Winx’s Epsom-Doncaster double of a couple of seasons ago.

Even if Winx can’t be beaten in the George Ryder there’s 190,000 reasons why Happy Clapper should have a crack.

It might pay to be a little forgiving of a few of the beaten horses in the Canterbury Stakes – Foxplay and Clearly Innocent in particular.

Foxplay was never in the hunt in the race, settling well back, but she clocked 33.66 for her last 600m, 11.64 the last 200m) which was second only to Happy Clapper. Clearly Innocent was a touch slower in 33.69 and his last 200m was of 11.74 was sound and he might just need more give in the track.

The two-year-olds continue to puzzle with the colts and geldings running faster overall time than the fillies but the fillies had the more compelling sectionals.

Reisling Stakes winner Estijaab was fast out of the gates, running 13.06 for the first 200m of the 1200m race, then didn’t produce the best sectional for any other 200m split.

She ran 33.97 for her last 600m as she warded off the challengers. Fourth-placed Gongs is well worth a mention, though.

She covered the most ground in the race (+8.8m) and her last 600m of 33.60 was easily the best out of the race.

Aylmerton’s win in the Todman was probably highlighted by his final 200m of 11.77 as he knuckled down to fight off Ef Troop. His last 600m of 34.15 was also race best but considerably slower than the fillies.

Redzel produced a track record for the 1000m of 55.73 but his performance didn’t really tell the story of the race from a Punters Intel perspective.

He ran 32.11 for his last 600m but a couple of the chasers who were burnt off early really attacked the line.

They were Terravista, who ran 31.88 including a 10.92 last 200m, and Viridine who clocked 31.94.

The speed was set up by the flying Super Too who broke 13 seconds for the first 200m, a rare feat, running 12.88 then from the 800m-600m she ran 9.96 seconds. Her effort to hold on for third also had merit.

A few others to note from the weekend’s racing.

- Sugar Bella ran 32.98 for her last 600m in the Wenona Girl (1200m) and almost broke 11 seconds for the last 200m (11.03).

- Nettoyer is close to a win, she covered an extra 13.9m in the 1600m opener. She ran 10.91 and 11.39 for her final two splits while the winner Karavali covered +8.5 and ran 10.95 and 11.38. The extra ground was the difference.

- Uptown Lad’s win in the Hawkesbury Provincial Championships Qualifier was enormous. He covered an extra 15.1m and still ran the best last 600m of 34.12 including a 10.94 from the 400m-200m (the only horse to break 11 seconds).

- Lanciato continued his flying form to win the Newcastle Newmarket. He scooted home in 33.20 and his effort from the 400m-200m, where he spent a bit of time getting across heels, to run 10.78, then 11.12 home, shows just how well he is going.

Watch Punters Intel with Gerard Middleton, Brad Davidson and Brad Gray on Sky Thoroughbred Central at 7pm on Tuesdays.

Fastest last 600m: Terravista 31.88

Most ground covered: Nettoyer +13.9m

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