3 minute read

Morphettville horseman Will Clarken is set for a busy weekend across three states of Australia.

Last year's Sangster Stakes winner Bella Vella will line-up in the Group 1 Galaxy at Rosehill in Sydney with Glen Boss to ride, while Will Clarken will combine with star rider Jamie Kah chasing success at Bendigo's Golden Mile meeting. And he'll have three runners at Morphettville with Todd Pannell in the saddle.

Clarken's exciting import Ironclad tackles the $150,000 Golden Mile at Bendigo, while Second Slip will be trying to bounce back to winning form early in the day, with tab.com.au throwing up both horses as favourites.

Ironclad is unbeaten in three Australian starts and was impressive winning the C S Hayes Cup at Morphettville on Adelaide Cup Day with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle. He's drawn perfectly in barrier five and is a $3.30 with tab.com.au.

Second Slip won his first three races in Australia before he chased home Night Raid in the Listed Matrice Stakes at Morphettville last time out and is currently marked a $2.70 favourite with tab.com.au.

In contrast star mare Bella Vella finds herself a $26 chance in Sydney despite a game effort behind Eduardo in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes last time out.

Clarken said this was going to be the mare's last racing preparation with a return home to chase back-to-back Sangster Stakes wins on the agenda.

"I reckon she might have three runs before she retires," Clarken said on racing.com.

"She'll come back for another tilt at the Sangster.

"It's been a great story: paying $22,000 for her online, she gone on to win me a Group 1.

"She's a horse I'll never forget and she's been brilliant to train."

Image: Ironclad will be aiming for four straight wins when he runs at Bendigo on Saturday.