Spare a thought for apprentice Sam Clipperton.
The youngster landed his biggest win aboard Monton in the Listed Festival Stakes earlier this month for his master Ron Quinton but was replaced by senior rider Hugh Bowman in Saturday’s Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m).
Monton got the spoils again but rather than hang his head and feel sorry for himself, Clipperton was sporting a wide smile post-race.
Despite his mount Tindal finishing down the track, Clipperton was thrilled for his boss, who also oversaw the early career of Bowman.
“I’m extremely happy for Ron, especially with Hugh being one of his apprentices,” Clipperton said.
“I was just happy to have a ride in the race.”
Clipperton is one of a band of talented claiming apprentices riding in Sydney along with the likes of Chad Schofield, Shaun Guymer and Adam Hyeronimus.
While they have been commanding plenty of attention in recent weeks, Bowman ensured the spotlight was on him at Warwick Farm by claiming the two stakes races.
Forty minutes before winning on Monton, Bowman got News Alert home in a photo-finish to land the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m).
AAP TURF
