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Clayton Douglas | Clayton Douglas News

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Leopard Shark strikes at Pakenham

12:00 • Friday • 6 February 2026

Leopard Shark produced an impressive performance at Pakenham on 5 February, breaking through for a well-deserved maiden win at just her third career start and continuing the stable’s strong run of results this season. Contesting the Hygain Edge 2YO Maiden Plate over 1200 metres, Leopard Shark was the only filly in the five-horse field. She entered the race off a solid effort in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) at Caulfield over 1000 metres, and that race experience proved invaluable. Ridden patiently by Jye McNeil, she settled at the tail of the field before being asked to improve in the straight, producing a sharp turn of foot to score by 2.75 lengths. Trainer Clayton Douglas was full of praise post-race.“She’s just such a professional. Having those early runs has really helped. She’s a lovely filly with a beautiful action and it’s great to get a result for our owners. Jeff (Allis) has been a terrific supporter of mine for a long time, so it’s exciting to have another nice filly for him. She’s one to look forward to as a three-year-old.” McNeil said the filly adapted well to how the race unfolded.“She’s very versatile. We adapted to a situation where it looked like we were going steady early, there wasn’t many positions and she dropped the head to come back in behind them.” “That set her up for a really good finish. She hit the front too early and got a bit of the wanders up, probably the first time she’s been in that position, but she was way too good for them tonight.” The daughter of Churchill, out of a city-winning Smart Missile mare, was purchased for $26,000 from Book 2 of the 2025 Inglis Premier Sale. Congratulations to all connections on the win.

'Completely hopeless' to Derby contender?

12:00 • Wednesday • 4 February 2026

Clayton Douglas has Derby aspirations with Kaye Jay after he broke his maiden smartly over 1600 metres at Sandown on Wednesday, courtesy of a perfect Jamie Mott steer. The son of Crackerjack King was wide but stuck on gamely for silver on debut at Cranbourne, but blended in and finished too well down the Hillside straight second-up on Wednesday, overhauling Mr Independent ($9.50) and Butterscotch ($15) late for a commanding win. With Kaye Jay bred to get much further, it was an exciting watch for Douglas and owners Barb and Barry Saunders, who certainly weren’t envisaging city success 12 months ago. “Completely hopeless” to “South Australian Derby type” Had you told Douglas that Kaye Jay would win in Melbourne after his first few jumpouts, it would not have been received well. His estimate of “20 or 30 length” margins is a slight exaggeration, but Kaye Jay’s first three efforts were certainly showing more Inglis Digital than metro winner.For the full story visit - racing.comWritten by Darcy Cosgriff (Racing.com)

Final Moment Secures Impressive Victory at Mornington

12:00 • Thursday • 23 October 2025

Consistent filly Final Moment produced a determined performance at Mornington today, breaking through for a well-deserved victory at only her fourth start. Ridden by Lauchlan Neindorf, Final Moment travelled in the box seat in the 1000m maiden. They had to wait patiently for a run, but when it came the daughter of Hanseatic burst through and sprinted quickly for a comfortable win. Part owned by her trainer, Clayton Douglas, “She’s a nice filly and just keeps improving each run she has. I still think there’s nice improvement and she’s city class”. From only 4 starts, Final Moment was coming off a narrow defeat at Sandown over 1000m. Purchased by Clayton at the 2024 Inglis Premier Sale for $60,000, the filly was bred by Rosemont Stud and by their resident sire, Hanseatic. Congratulation to a great group of owners who race this filly with the stable.

Top Reward secures a stable double at home track

12:00 • Thursday • 23 October 2025

Promising colt Top Reward delivered a determined and polished performance at Mornington today, securing a well-deserved victory and signalling his emergence as a horse to watch. Jumping cleanly and settling into an ideal position in 2nd, Top Reward travelled comfortably throughout the early stages of the race. Jockey Jye McNeil rated him perfectly and drew away in the straight for an impressive debut win. “He’s a smart colt and I thought he’d be hard to beat today. He’s big and raw, kicking off over the 1500m on his home track, he’s got a really bright future” said trainer, Clayton Douglas Connections will now assess upcoming programming options, with the win providing flexibility to consider both a rise in grade and a step up in distance for the son of Shamus Award. “We’ll see how he pulls up, but he’s earned the chance to look at some nice races. The Sandown Guineas at Caulfield might end up a good option” said Douglas. The win topped off a race to race double for the team with Final Moment breaking her maiden in the prior race. Congratulations to all connections.

Giga Kick Back to His Brilliant Best with Schillaci Stakes Triumph

12:00 • Saturday • 11 October 2025

Super sprinter Giga Kick has roared back into the spotlight, producing a stunning performance to win the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday, ending a two-year drought and reminding the racing world why he’s considered one of Australia’s elite. Ridden patiently by Mark Zahra, the five-year-old gelding settled midfield before unleashing his trademark turn of foot down the outside to overhaul the leaders and score by a length over Tropicus, stopping the clock at 1:03.14. The victory marked Giga Kick’s first since the Doomben 10,000 in May 2023 and brought emotional scenes from trainer Clayton Douglas, who has worked tirelessly to guide his stable star back from injury setbacks. “It’s a huge relief,” Douglas said post-race. “We’ve copped a bit of criticism over the last year, but good horses do good things. I’ve always believed in him, and to see him back doing that today is pretty special.” Zahra, who partnered Giga Kick in a narrow defeat by Bella Nipotina in the 2024 Everest, said the gelding felt “back to his old self.” “He just travelled beautifully,” Zahra said. “When I asked, he let rip, that acceleration was still there. It’s great to see him back to his brilliant best.” The win lifts Giga Kick’s career earnings beyond $13 million and reaffirms his place among the top sprinters in the country. His next assignment likely to be the Group 1 VRC Champions Sprint on 8th November.

Gallant Prince Delivers Strong Win at Mornington

12:00 • Sunday • 28 September 2025

Emerging gelding Gallant Prince stamped his mark in the provincial ranks today with a gutsy victory in the Marconi Plumbing over 1500m at Mornington, overcoming a recent near-miss and holding off a tough challenge in the final stages. Under Daniel Stackhouse, Gallant Prince settled in the midfield early before making ground in the straight. Once balanced, he launched his run and dug deep, holding off Brullen by three-quarters of a length, with Isdell just behind in third. For trainer Clayton Douglas, based at Mornington, the win was a rewarding return to form for a horse that’s been knocking on the door in recent starts. Gallant Prince had placed in his past few runs and looked primed for a breakthrough. “He’s been close a few times, so to get the job done today is great for him and the team,” Douglas commented. Stackhouse paid tribute to the gelding’s determination in the closing stages: “He gave me everything I asked for,” Stackhouse said. “I had to steady him a touch early, but once he got balanced he hit the line strongly. It’s nice to see him convert the promise into a win.” The victory was the third win for the big son of Trapeze Artist, taking his prizemoney to over $120,000. Congratulations to a great ownership group.

Tiger Shark Pounces to Claim Thrilling Caulfield Victory

12:00 • Sunday • 21 September 2025

The powerful sprinting mare Tiger Shark proved too strong in the closing stages at Caulfield on Saturday, charging home to snatch victory in the Barastoc Handicap (1100m) in a thrilling photo finish. Ridden patiently by Luke Currie, the five-year-old mare settled behind the speed before unleashing a sharp turn of foot in the straight, getting the bob in ahead of Oak Hill, with Klabel close behind in third. The official winning margin was a nose, stopping the clock at 1:03.23. Trainer Clayton Douglas, was “thrilled” by the result, praising the team that prepared her for the Victorian campaign. He credited former trainer Nat McCall for sending the mare down in top order and commended the stable’s work to keep her fit and confident. “She’s been improving with every run,” Douglas said. “We’ve been really happy with how she’s settled in down here. She’s tough, honest, and has that competitive streak you love to see.” Currie echoed that sentiment, crediting the mare’s rapid acceleration and willingness to fight to the line. “She sprinted quicker than I expected when I came off their heels,” Currie said. “She just dug in late when it mattered. She’s a very genuine mare and I think there’s more to come.” Originally trained in Queensland by Nat McCall, Tiger Shark has now made a seamless switch to Douglas’s Mornington base, delivering an early spring highlight for her new stable. Saturday’s performance showcased her adaptability and resilience, handling the firm Caulfield track and the stronger southern competition with composure. “Credit to Nat and her team, they’ve done a great job with her,” Douglas added. “We’re just lucky to have her. She’s come down in great order and we’re excited about what lies ahead.”

Convincing win by Dual Award

12:00 • Monday • 26 May 2025

The 3yr old Shamus Award gelding, Dual Award, gave his patient connections plenty to cheer about with a convincing win at Mornington today. At only his second career start, the 3yr old gelding by Shamus Award was able to win over the 1500m in convincing style. A positive start to his racing career with the expectation of him getting over further in the future. A patient ride by Jamie Mott, the gelding jumped fast before settling just off the speed. A couple of anxious moments waiting for the gap but when it appeared he took full advantage. “We do like this horse. He’s got some good staying potential.. still a big baby at the moment” said Jamie Mott. “I think he’s one to watch for the future in six to twelve months over a trip." A $180,000 purchase from the 2023 Inglis Premier Sale, Dual Award is the first foal from unraced Fiorente mare, Vincitore. He was purchased as a staying prospect for the stable and a loyal group of clients who have been patient as the gelding has taken time to mature. The win today is hopefully the first of many and was a big thrill for all involved. Congratulations to Dual Awards owners and our hardworking team.

Knockout blow by Title Fighter

12:00 • Sunday • 18 May 2025

Title Fighter delivered a remarkable upset victory in the Listed Hilton Nicholas Straight Six (1200m) as a 71-1 outsider under apprentice jockey Tom Prebble. A career defining win for both horse and rider with their shared first stakes win. Trainer Clayton Douglas was effusive in his praise for Prebble's ride, stating “He rode it a treat. You couldn’t have asked for a better ride honestly. He was nice and quiet on him early. “He’s got a big future this kid.” For Prebble, the victory was particularly special, marking his first stakes win for the talented apprentice and a significant milestone in his burgeoning career, especially as his father, former champion international jockey Brett Prebble, was on course. "I just see every race as the next and I want to win all of them," Prebble said. "When I got the opportunity to ride in a Listed race, I just took the opportunity. It unfolded awesomely.” Clayton was equally impressed with the effort of Title Fighter. “We knocked back big offers from Hong Kong early on, to be honest I thought the owner was mad, and now he’s won a stakes race up the straight. It’s been a long, hard process to teach him to switch off and he’s now got strings to his bow. He’s only 4 and he’s done a terrific job this campaign” said Douglas. The trainer also reflected on his season to date “I’ve had a really good season to be honest. I’ve got Giga Kick who’s my class horse for the stable, this guy’s now won a stakes race, I’ve had a 2yr old stakes winner, we’re ticking along really well and I’m really happy with all the staff and how hard they’re working. It good to get a result for everyone” The team was thrilled to give Tom the opportunity and both horse and rider lived up to expectations. Title Fighter's triumph in the Straight Six was his first stakes win and took his earnings to over $550,000.

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Sharnee Rose | Racing Manager

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