PROMISING Warrnambool galloper Clairvaux kept up his great home track record when he scored a dogged victory in a $30,000 showcase benchmark 70 race yesterday.
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Clairvaux took his record at Warrnambool to three wins from four starts after defeating Royal Rada by a neck with Street Crier third in the 1200-metre event.
Trainer Matthew Williams said Clairvaux had been a slow maturing horse.
“We’ve always thought he would develop into a handy horse,” Williams said.
“It was a good win as he took on open class horses. Clairvaux got lost last time when we ran him down the straight at Flemington.
‘‘He enjoyed the drop back in class to this race.
“He’s a lovely big horse who is starting to learn what racing is all about.
‘‘I think with a bit more time he’ll develop into a handy sprinter.
‘‘His long-term aim may be a race like the 2015 Wangoom Handicap at the Warrnambool May carnival.”
Clairvaux has earned a start in the final of the $80,000 Tour Of Victoria Sprint Series over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley on February 21 but Williams was undecided if the three-year-old would run in the race.
“I’m just a bit worried he may not handle the tight turning track at Moonee Valley,” Williams said.
“Clairvaux’s stablemate Ticket To Toorak may run in the final.
‘‘Ticket To Toorak looked to be a bit disappointing today but he’s better than that effort.”
Clairvaux gave Williams the second leg of a winning double.
His first winner on the eight-race program was Artie’s Shore which won a maiden over 1200 metres.
“Artie’s Shore is another horse who has just needed a bit of time to mature,” he said.
“He put the writing on the wall for a win after being second at his last two starts.
‘‘He deserved to win his maiden.
“I think he’ll end up running out a strong 1600 metres later in his career.”
Artie’s Shore won $10,500 in stakemoney for his connections with his victory over Northern Cath and Shaw Will.