Clipperton steals the show at Wyong ahead of Magic Millions

It was all about Sam Clipperton at Wyong on Saturday, November 23, with the multiple Group 1-winning jockey riding an impressive treble.

The show of prowess signals a strong field ahead for the Magic Millions at Wyong Race Track on Wednesday, December 11.

Clipperton, who famously claimed last year’s $20M The Everest aboard the recently retired Think About It, has long been a regular on the Saturday Metropolitan circuit.

However, a recent shortage of top jockeys has seen him take more provincial rides—and he made every moment count at Wyong.

From six rides, he secured three wins and a close second, leaving an undeniable mark on the day’s racing.

His first win came in the opening event, the 2000m BM64, aboard the John Sargent-trained Coto De Caza.

Dissatisfied with the early slow tempo, Clipperton made a bold move to take the lead at the 1400m mark.

Despite strong challenges down the straight, he showed his class, pulling away in the final stages to win by over two lengths.

Clipperton quickly followed up with a race-to-race double, guiding the Ciaron Maher-trained Pasima to victory in the 1600m Class 1.

The four-year-old Pierro entirely relished the drop back to provincial grade, delivering another dominant two-length win.

It was a polished, front-running ride from Clipperton, showcasing his ability to control the tempo and execute with precision.

Pasima, a $1.5M purchase from the 2020 Magic Millions Yearling Sales, proved his connections’ investment worthwhile.

Stable representative Liam Ruddy was pleased with the result.

“He’s been racing well in stronger company, and this looked like a good race for him on form,” Ruddy said.

“He was rock-hard fit and ready to go.”

Clipperton capped off his treble in the 1200m Midway Maiden, steering Revolt to a strong front-running victory for trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou.

Another expertly judged ride saw him bring up his third win of the day, reinforcing his reputation as a jockey in top form.

It was a masterclass from Clipperton at Wyong—a reminder of his skill and experience, no matter the stage.

A large crowd was on track for the Wyong meeting, with a plenty of groups enjoying Christmas parties and shopping at a number of on course market stalls. 

The next meeting will be the annual Magic Millions Race Day on Wednesday, December 11, featuring the $200,000 2YO Classic and $150,000 3YO & 4YO Stakes.