Bush trainer Mick Clark declared with great satisfaction he had “gone past the Sheikh” after Let’s Be Happy became the most prolific winner in the state this season with her Flemington victory.
The five-year-old mare has won nine of her 29 starts and made it six wins for the season, including four in a row, in Saturday’s Johnstaff Projects Handicap (1610m).
She was on trial beyond 1400 metres but was strong at the finish with the win putting her one ahead of the Sheikh Mohammed-owned Sepoy who has five wins for the season.
Unbeaten filly Atlantic Jewel and Freereturn have also won five races each.
“I just hope we can keep going,” Clark said.
“It has been unbelievable, just a dream.”
Clark trains at Horsham in the state’s northwest and Let’s Be Happy has been a punter’s nightmare.
She posted wins at Moonee Valley ($31) on October 28, Moonee Valley ($26) on November 19 and Sandown ($6.50) on November 26.
Punters again risked her on Saturday and, ridden by apprentice Jack Hill, she drifted from $5 to $9.50.
She raced back in the small seven-horse field but came with strong finish down the centre of the track to score a three-quarter length win over favourite Blue Ribbon ($2.20) and Placement ($5.50).
Clark said he only ran Let’s Be Happy at Flemington as an afterthought.
“I was going to give her a week’s freshen up after Sandown and find a race a fortnight later but she was in the paddock rearing up, striking out, so I thought we would keep her rolling,” Clark said.
He said Let’s Be Happy was adaptable on all track surfaces and easy to ride and that while she was holding her form he would keep extending her campaign.
“Her last couple of runs she has really hit the line so we might look for something good,” Clark said.
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