Clayton Douglas | Home

Starting a $1.28 favourite on debut can bring added pressure, and it did for the Clayton Douglas team at Cranbourne Friday night with high expectations of one particular runner.

The 3yr old gelding Foxenberg had taken time to mature but dominant wins in two jumpouts in the lead up suggested his trainers patience was going to be rewarded...and it was in impressive style.

Jumping from barrier 3, in form jockey Daniel Stackhouse let the gelding roll to the front in the 5 horse field.  Coming into the straight the pressure was put on by the Matt Laurie runner, Central Bank, but with a bit of encouragement the big son of Foxwedge dug deep and strode away to win by 1.75 L.  Even more impressive, his win on debut was less than half a second outside the track record (57.81) over the 1000m.

Daniel Stackhouse was full of praise for the horse. “Began well, (I) just let him flow, just left him alone and be a happy horse, when he got pressure to the outside he switched on. He’s still very lost and raw and immature, still got no idea. Nice win and great debut for stable and he’ll definitely go on with it” said Stackhouse.

His trainer was equally complimentary. “ I think he’ll get 1400m in time and if he does he’s going to be a pretty serious horse for the stable. He’s a nice, big solid type and he has nice ability.

He’s been really slow maturing, gone shin sore a couple of times. He’s a horse that can fire up really quick and when he does he’s a really hard horse to get back. It was really nice to see him relax the way he did in front and give himself a chance, and when that horse challenged he had to knuckle down a little bit and obviously come away with a good win” said Douglas.

A $55,000 purchase from the Inglis Premier Sale, he was bred by Andrew Roussou who stayed in the ownership.

Congratulations to a great group of co-owners and loyal stable supporters - Clayton Douglas Racing , Mr A Roussou, Double W, Mr B B Hughes, Mrs A G Dewar, Birkland, Noosa Ninjas, Toe Racing, Ms J Crewes, Mr R W Webb, M Raynor, Mr B C Wolens

A speedy filly by Exceedance gave Clayton Douglas his first 2yr old winner for the season with a brave win at Sandown yesterday.

No Limitation had 2 previous starts in smart company, including the Group 3 Blue Diamond Fillies’ Preview,  where she finished sixth in both.  A short freshen up at Fulmen Park had the filly in great order heading to Sandown and at only her third career start she had a city win on the board.

The plan wasn’t to lead in the 1000m event but No Limitation was simply too speedy from barrier 3 and put herself there. Luke Currie then rated the filly perfectly from the front and was able to hold off a fast finishing field.

"I thought Luke rode her well, rated her really well out in front. She was probably needing the line late, but obviously with the six weeks between runs, she's probably got nice improvement in it” said Douglas.

“Good to get a win for Barrie and Midge Griffiths, they’ve been good supporters for the stable and (they’re) obviously very famous colours. Barrie purchased her (No Limitation) himself and really liked her, and we have the sister at home so looking forward to the future with this family.”

No Limitation (Exceedance x Pierro Belle) was a $34,000 purchase from the Inglis HTBA yearling sale.  In an interesting twist both Luke Currie and Clayton Douglas had ridden the mother of No Limitation,  Pierro Belle,  in one of her 4 race wins before starting a stud career.

Congratulations to great supporters in Barrie and Midge Griffiths and thanks to the hard working team at home.

Joining the team as a horse with “behavioural” problems, Speranzoso has left those days behind him and proven himself a handy stayer for the team.

After a couple of below par runs by the big gelding, a drop back in grade and “tinkering” of gear saw him back in form with an impressive 4.25L win over 2025m at Cranbourne.  It’s a track he’s won at before, that time an 8L win over the 2580m.

Carrying 61.5kg is no problem when the likes of Jamie Mott is on board.  Jumping from barrier 5, Jamie controlled the speed up front and coming into the straight the win was never in doubt.

From 23 runs, 17 of those in Australia he’s had 4 wins, 4 seconds and amassed over $142,000 in prizemoney for his connections.  The 4 wins have been by an average of over 4L, an easy watch for punters when he’s in form.

He wasn’t an easy project when he arrived from England but a big thank you for the team at home for a great job with Speranzoso.  Congratulations also to great supporters in OTI Racing.

Coral Emperor broke his maiden in style with his win at Ballarat today.

From his nine runs, the four career seconds had been frustrating for connections so there were plenty of cheers when he showed what he does on the training track.

Luke Nolen rode the son of Star Witness in the 1400m event.  Jumping from barrier 8 they were shuffled back towards the tail of the field and looked to be stuck in traffic coming into the straight.  Nolen showed why he’s a forty time group 1 winning jockey when able to find room down the outside for a comfortable win.

It was Coral Emperor’s first time on a heavy 8 but he relished the ground and stepping back in distance.  

Some of his connections made the trip to Ballarat to see the win and we’d like to congratulate and thank them for their ongoing support of Clayton Douglas Racing.

The Warrnambool carnival holds fond memories for Clayton Douglas after twice winning the Grand Annual Steeplechase aboard Gold Medals, but having his childhood hero win on Gronkowski over the carnival is right up there.

The big Starcraft gelding was bred and raced by great clients in Rosemont Stud who were on course to witness his win.  “Gronk” was simply too good on the soft 6 ground over the 1300m to score an impressive 3.25L win.  The win was made even sweeter with champion jockey and Douglas family friend, Nash Rawiller, in the saddle.

“I think everyone knows how good this young bloke is as a trainer. He’s a star.” said Rawiller, full of praise in his post-race interview.

Nash and Clayton’s association goes back to childhood when in Nash’s words a young Clayton “…used to ride the couch with my whip and silks. We go back a long way”.

“The horse done a great job…(and the) strapper, thanks to him too” said Nash, in reference to Gronkowski and his son and fellow jockey, Cam Rawiller, who was on strapping duties.

The win was Gronkowski’s 4^th from only 15 starts and congratulations to Rosemont Stud.

The win was a highlight for the Doulgas and Rawiller family and what a great way to round out another fantastic Warrnambool Carnival.  Can’t wait for next year!