Clayton Douglas, based in Mornington, is embracing the increased demands of his role after recently taking over the reins at the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable.
The Freedman father-and-son training team were sidelined for 28 days last month following the conclusion of an inquiry into an accidental race-day treatment.
Douglas has stepped into the role of ‘caretaker’ trainer and has seen his stable numbers double, humorously remarking, ‘I was born for this’.
While he manages the Freedman horses, his own have not been neglected. His Everest winner, Giga Kick, is in training and is being prepared for a first-up tilt at the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown in September.
With Giga Kick taking pride of place in the Douglas stable, the focus shifts to Mr Waterville as the jumps season draws to a close.
Douglas, who has previously won the Grand National Hurdle as a jockey, has the prestigious race on the agenda for Mr Waterville at Sandown next month. A part of the jumper’s program includes the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington this Saturday.
Mr Waterville, a winner of the Australian Hurdle at Sandown in May, has been a standout performer over the jumps this campaign, and Douglas believes the gelding can perform well on the flat this Saturday.
In his most recent flat race, Mr Waterville finished eighth over 2540m at Flemington on June 20. When previously trained by Chris Waller, who retains a share in the gelding’s ownership, he secured a second-place finish in a 2800m contest on Melbourne Cup Day.
“He’ll have a little tick over run on Saturday before he runs in the National,” Douglas said.
“The 2800 (metres) at Flemington will suit him. He ran really well there over the 2500 (metres) last time and he’s been a good performer over the 2800 at Flemington before.
“He ran second at that distance on Cup Day, so we know the trip will be no problem, and for what we’ve seen on the flat recently, I’m sure he might be one of the chances, especially with no weight on his back.”
With two significant prize money races on offer to conclude the jumps season in Victoria, Douglas is considering his options for Mr Waterville.
The $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) appears to be a strong target, while the $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on August 16 is also being contemplated.
“He’s had a long preparation, but the jumping has been the trick to getting him going,” Douglas explained.
“He’s been able to get some good prize money in the last eight weeks and hopefully he can keep going towards some of the bigger jump’s races.
“There’s the Grand National Hurdle on August 2 and then we’ll just sum things up, but there is a chance he may switch into the Grand National Steeplechase a fortnight later.
“I am mindful it is his first jumping campaign, and I’d love to get him back down to Warrnambool to win a Brierly or the Grand Annual next year with him.
“I think we took the sting out of him in the Lafferty (over jumps most recently when second) by backing him up seven days after his Flemington run, so he might go into the National Hurdle a little bit fresher.”
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