Happiness in Burridge sights

Craig Brennan
Friday, October 10, 2008

A fast early pace set-up the victory of Happiness Come in the $65,000 Graduation Stakes over 1200m on Friday night.

Standing the leader a good nine lengths as the field swung for home, Happinness Come, ridden by apprentice Taib Affandi, got up to score by a neck over the leader Magic leg (Noel Callow) with Bing Is Best (Matt Kellady) a half length away third.

Magic Leg jumped smartly from his wide barrier before crossing to lead coming off the back over Anchor Ice (Robbie Fradd), Invader (Danny Beasley) and Bing Is Best.

Happinness Come (Taib Affandi) overhauls Magic Leg (Noel Callow) in the final stages to land Race 6 on Friday night.

As the field made the home turn, Callow allowed Magic Leg to drift off the track, but he was holding a comfortable margin over his rivals. However with about 150m to run, the distress signs were being thrown out by Callow who resorted to the whip to try and coax Magic Leg to the line.

While the pace was furious up front, Affandi had Happiness Come travelling nicely towards the rear of the field, but in clear galloping room.

As the field straightened, Affandi got to work on the gelding and as Magic Leg was fading over the final 100m, Happiness Come was in full stride, hitting the line strongly.

Happiness Come was heavily supported, firming into a $26 dividend at the finish.

Trainer Stephen Burridge was unsure how the race would pan out but felt had there been plenty of pace then Happiness Come could overhaul his rivals.

“I thought if they went mad up front that he would be able to run home the way he did,” said Burridge. “He’s probably better suited over more ground but there just wasn’t a suitable race around for him.

“He’s a Class 3 horse who was well suited in the Graduation following the claim and I thought I’d give him a try on the Polytrack to see if he would handle it.”

Burridge said Happiness Come had been purchased to contest the Singapore Derby back in July but the equine influenza that hit Australia a little over 12 months ago meant the gelding had to stay in Australia.

“He was placed in the Tasmanian Derby and I thought he would be a nice Derby horse up here,” said Burridge.

“He was tough to train in Australia. He would work great but then wouldn’t produce on raceday.

“I’ve changed things up with him a bit. I don’t gallop him hard, just give him slow steady work and give him a swim.

“I just try a few different things to keep him happy. It seems to be working at this stage.”

Burridge said he was unsure in which direction he would head with the gelding but said Friday night’s win opened up a few more options for the galloper with his ability to handle the Polytrack surface.

Happiness Come raced in Australia as Minibaa where he had one win over 2255m from 17 starts and A$63,000 in prizemoney.

He’s a five-year-old by Anabaa from the Military Plume mare Minerva. In four Singapore starts he’s recorded two wins and notched around $65,000 in prizemoney for the Happiness Come Stable.

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