Mickey's Medal shines in Randwick victory

Annabel Archibald, the trainer of Mickey's Medal, pointed to jockey Sam Clipperton's audacious riding strategy after their triumph in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

While Clipperton gave Mickey's Medal some encouragement before the home turn, the gelding handled the arduous heavy conditions with ease, appearing full of running and decisively taking control of the race well before the finish line.

"It was a bold ride by Sam,'' Archibald said.

"I was a little bit nervous when he put the horse into the race before the corner but he obviously felt he had the horse underneath him to do it."

Clipperton shared that Mickey's Medal was travelling so strongly that he momentarily considered an unconventional move as they approached the home turn.

"I heard Annabel say it was a bold ride but at the top of the straight I was nearly going to go to the outside fence,'' Clipperton said.

"But he was going so well I thought I had better not and he was too good, he quickened away, he put them to 'bed'.

"He probably hit the front too early in the straight and might have clocked off a bit but he won well."

The $15 outsider, Mickey's Medal, secured victory by a margin close to a length from It's A Knockout ($5.50), with Narbold ($6) claiming third, a length behind, just ahead of the favourite Lugh ($3).

Archibald commented on Mickey's Medal's clear preference for the very heavy track conditions.

"It is one of those days when horses are either handling this track or they're not,'' she said.

"Mickey's Medal had only two goes on a heavy track previously and ran really well so we were hopeful coming here today."

Clipperton affirmed that Mickey's Medal "just travelled so well" throughout the event.

"He felt in the zone today,'' the jockey said.

"I just wanted to keep him in his rhythm because he was handling the track so well.

"I had to ride him confidently and tried to build his confidence. He loved the ground and did a good job today."

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