FOR 23-year-old jockey Clayton Douglas Warrnambool is home to his greatest memories in not only his brief career but in his life.
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He can recall his father Vic winning three Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase’s as a trainer, but he could only hope when he started riding that he would enjoy victory at the famous May Carnival.
History shows Douglas had a carnival to remember in May this year winning the Grand Annual Steeplechase on Gold Medals.
On Sunday he crowned a sensational year by winning the inaugural $300,000 Jericho Cup run through the paddocks over 4600 metres for one of his greatest supporters trainer Anthony Freedman aboard High Mode.
Freedman speaking to The Standard after High Mode’s win in Australia’s longest flat race spoke in glowing terms of Douglas.
“Clayton is a great kid,” Freedman said.
“He deserves whatever success he gets. He’s got a strong work ethic and has put in untold hours going the extra yards to prepare High Mode for the race.
“We qualified winning at Wagga back in August and kept High Mode ticking over after that run. I want to congratulate Bill Gibbins for coming up with the initiative and plan to run the Jericho Cup.”
Douglas said he was confident he had the race in his keeping a long way from home.
“Anthony had High Mode superbly fit to run out the 4600 metres,” he said.
“Warrnambool is like a second home to me. It’s been a massive year for me at Warrnambool winning three feature races.”