Cover image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Hailing from a family steeped in jumps racing riches, Douglas is the son of three-time Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning trainer Vic.
An astute horseman in his own right, Douglas partnered 248 winners in a 10-year dual discipline riding career, most notably the Symon Wilde-trained Gold Medals (NZ) (Elvstroem) in May’s time-honoured Grand Annual at Warrnambool.
Gold Medals (NZ)
“Not renewing my riding license was something I had been thinking about for a while,” Douglas told TDN Aus NZ.
“I was lucky enough to ride a few feature winners, but I only had been getting a handful of rides in recent times.
“So, with the way the business is heading it’s really hard to do both jobs properly and now I can put all my focus into training and hopefully kick some goals this spring and in the future, as we’re becoming a nice established stable with good horses around us.”
“We’re becoming a nice established stable with good horses around us.” - Clayton Douglas
The lightly raced Inverell takes on a high-class field of 3-year-old’s in the 2000 metre Spring Champion S., including $1.9 million colt Profondo (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Coolmore Studs impressive G3 Gloaming S. winner Head Of State (American Pharoah {USA}).
Inverell has received the ‘visitors draw’ and will be required to jump from the far outside, barrier 13, in his third career start.
However, Douglas has little concern, saying rider Nash Rawiller will be instructed to cross and take up a prominent position.
“He did a nice piece of work at Mornington on Tuesday and I’m very happy with how the horse is shaping up ahead of the race,” Douglas said.
“He did a nice piece of work at Mornington on Tuesday and I’m very happy with how the horse is shaping up ahead of the race.” - Clayton Douglas
“It looks like a good race for the horse despite the draw, he’s nice and strong, but he will need to step up as he’s only won a maiden at Sale and is now contesting a Group 1 at just his third career start."
Douglas said his galloper will almost certainly press on towards the G1 Victoria Derby at Flemington on October 30 if he measures up on Saturday.
He has already earmarked next April's AJC Derby at Randwick for Inverell.
Clayton Douglas | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
“The horse has got a bright future, he’s probably a little bit untapped, whether this race has come up a bit soon for him we’ll find out, but he’s got a sensible head on him for his age,” Douglas said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him at 2000 metres especially if it’s a truly run race as that will play to his strengths and give us a little guide as to where he sits in the pecking order for this year’s Derby.”
A private purchase by OTI, Inverell is out Sapphire Lass (Charge Forward), who herself is a half-sister to the G3 Kembla Classic third placegetter Pippali (Ilovethiscity).
Her grand dam is G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Polar Success (Success Express {USA}). This is the family of G2 Queensland Guineas winner Sambro (Fastnet Rock).
Mimosas (Squamosa) will also represent the burgeoning Douglas camp at Randwick on Saturday when taking on classy Godolphin colt Paulele (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and Cambridge Studs Sword Of State (Snitzel) in a competitive edition of the G2 Roman Consul S.
The least experienced galloper in the field was last seen when finishing 3.4l fifth behind Ranveer (Winning Rupert) in a $125,000 3-year-old handicap at Sandown in June.
Before that he was an impressive debut winner at Flemington, knocking off Vinlago (I Am Invincible) and I Am War (Warhorse {NZ}) in a 1000 metre 2-year-old handicap.
“He needs to step up a bit based on what he’s done to date, but I feel he’s developed a bit,” Douglas said.
A $20,000 2020 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale purchase by Crown Park, Mimosas is out of Commands mare, Laurenstar (Commands).
Mimosas pictured as a yearling
This is the family of Listed winners Balmoral (Star Shower) and Grampians (Danehill {USA}).
Group 3-placed mare Bless Her (Street Boss {USA}) is the latest addition to Douglas’ stable and will compliment a host of promising unraced 2-year-olds.
The 5-year-old, who was previously trained by Shea Eden and Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, impressed in her first start for Douglas, finishing 0.2l second behind Esta La Roca (El Roca) in BM90 mares handicap at Sandown on September 25.
“I’ve been friends with her (Bless Her) owners for a long time and they’ve got some other horses with me, so they sent her over and she loves it here (Mornington),” Douglas said.
“We were wrapt with her run first-up, we went there thinking she could win and were very proud of her efforts.
“So, she will now go to the (Listed) Alignhi S. Saturday week and it looks a good race for her three weeks between runs.”
“So, she (Bless Her) will now go to the (Listed) Alignhi S. Saturday week and it looks a good race for her three weeks between runs.” Clayton Douglas
Douglas is grateful for the opportunities that have come his way, saying support from the likes of OTI has been paramount to his rapid rise since saddling up his first winner, Barocha (Ilovethiscity) at Sale last August.
He is striking at 16 per cent runners to winners and a healthy 36 per cent runners to placegetters.
“I’m really happy with how the team is ticking over and I’m very proud to have these big owners backing me, as when you have nicer horses in the stable, you’re more of a chance,” Douglas said.
“But we’re doing a really good job, we’ve got great facilities at Mornington, both on course and on the farm, we’ve got good staff who work hard and have a massive passion for the horse.
“Most of my team is quite young and enthusiastic and it’s been good that we’ve been able to get some results, I’m sure we can have some more as we’ve got all the right people and support to operate a good business.”
