Jockey Tim Clark has covered all Bases this season
Tim Clark added another major trophy to his career collection last weekend, steering War Machine to victory in the Stradbroke Handicap. It marked the 26th Group 1 win of his career, coming 17 years after his breakthrough aboard Typhoon Zed in the 2008 The Galaxy.
The veteran hoop continues to thrive at the highest level, and says the constant hunt for the next elite horse or feature race keeps him focused and energised.
“There is always something to keep you motivated, whether that’s a horse or a certain race,” Clark said.
“It gets you up, even in these colder months, and a lot of the good horses are coming back into work (now) or will be in the next few weeks.
“It can be a grind at certain times, but generally there is always something around the corner to look forward to.”
In addition to success at Group 1 level, Clark’s regular form remains strong. Despite missing several Sydney Saturdays due to rides in Brisbane, he’s still fourth in the Sydney jockeys’ standings with 55 wins for the season.
“I’ve had really good support throughout and been able to capitalise on a few of those opportunities,” he said.
“It’s nice to be sitting high up on the ladder.
“I’ve spent the majority of the last two months away on Saturdays but that has been very rewarding as well. All in all it has been a top season.”
This Saturday, Clark returns to Randwick with a full book of rides, including promising galloper Bases Loaded in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) for Tulloch Lodge trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Clark believes the gelding is well placed to run well fresh off a solid prep and positive trials.
“He has been gelded this prep and he does seem to be coming up well,” Clark said.
“The run under his belt won’t hurt him but I still think he’s going well enough to run a forward race.
“Fortunately, in a big field he has drawn soft. He will race somewhere near the speed but he might be able to have a cosy run just in behind them, conserve a bit of energy and he could surprise fresh.”
Bases Loaded opened at $9.50 on Thursday, with market favourite Headley Grange sitting at $3.80.
Clark is also engaged to ride Shamarkand in The Living Turf Handicap (1800m) and Rotagilla for Chris Waller in the QMS Media Handicap (1600m).
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