Five-star day for Tim Clark at Canterbury
Tim Clark has had one of his most memorable days on a racecourse, putting on a masterclass to ride five winners at Canterbury.
While he had already set a new metropolitan personal best with a four-timer, the 30-year-old showed no signs of resting on his laurels as he took out Saturday’s final race on Infra Dig.
“I had a nice book of rides but you never expect to come here and ride five,” Clark said.
“Everything has panned out beautiful. Every run I’ve needed appeared.
“It’s definitely a very memorable day.”
With Godolphin’s No.1 rider James McDonald and his understudy Brenton Avdulla riding at Flemington, Tim Clark took his chances on three of the powerful stable’s runners.
Grunderzeit easily accounted for the Group One-placed Kuro in the Ranvet Handicap (1200m), Reincarnate won the Tab.Com.Au Handicap (1250m) and Infra Dig took out the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1100m).
Clark sat closer on Reincarnate despite the horse having his customary slow start.
“His first couple of strides aren’t brilliant and then he sort of musters speed,” Clark said.
“He had a lovely run and showed his versatility.”
Clark picked up his first winner on the Joe Pride-trained Mr Manhattan in #TheRaces Handicap (1100m) with the horse overcoming 60.5kg impost.
“They didn’t go overly quick but he had a nice run just off them,” Clark said.
Mr Manhattan will now be aimed at the Listed Starlight Stakes at Rosehill on December 3.
High Opinion won the McGrath Estate Agents Handicap (1900m), with Clark sitting midfield on the rails before coming off heels in the straight to swamp the field late.
Clark eclipsed his previous best of four winners at Wyong.
His Canterbury haul brought him level on 22 victories with Avdulla at the top the Sydney jockeys’ premiership.
Clark’s brother-in-law Josh Parr rode a double on Red Excitement in the Ashbury Handicap and Sunny Fame in the Highway Handicap, backing up his treble at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.