Chris Scholtz reviews Day One of The Championships at Randwick on April 7.

THE STARS

PAT WEBSTER/ HAPPY CLAPPER: One of Randwick’s favourite sons wins the race he has longed for with a gelding that has become a favourite with Sydney racegoers. Happy Clapper ran a race record to join the elite club that have won the Epsom/Doncaster double.

The people's horse wins The Doncaster Mile!!

A game Happy Clapper does all his best work up the rail, streaking clear for a good win The Doncaster Mile. A peach of a ride from makes it a second Group 1 in three starts! pic.twitter.com/20b9O3j5OI

— Sky RacingApril 7, 2018

BEN SMITH/EL DORADO DREAMING: Shock win by this maiden filly gives his rising trainer an unexpected second G1 win just two weeks after his first. Yes, dreams do come true….!

Absolute SCENES down as triple figure chance El Dorado Dreaming runs the race of her life down the outside to deny Oohood in the G1 Inglis Sires'. Incredible!! pic.twitter.com/8wtI9G1WZx

— Sky Racing April 7, 2018

TEAM GELAGOTIS/LEVENDI: No doubt about the biggest celebrations when Levendi claimed a thrilling last stride win and survived a protest in the ATC Derby. Those Gelagotis boys sure wear their racing heart on the sleeves!

A clash for the ages as Levendi does battle with Ace High all the way to the post, nailing him on the bob for a thrilling finish to the Group 1 Australian Derby. World class racing !! pic.twitter.com/QFAdrvmWkC

— Sky Racing April 7, 2018

GERALD RYAN/TRAPEZE ARTIST: Super training effort to bring him back from 1600m to 1200m and see him go faster than Black Caviar’s race record! What a fine 3YO crop we have racing at present but just how long this outstanding colt stays on the scene is problematical as his owners consider numerous big stud offers.

Trapeze Artist with a dynamite sprint!!

Redzel gives a good sight rounding the bend, but the -trained colt was more than game, driving hard and fast to the line for a statement win in the T J Smith!! pic.twitter.com/yTg4LjiEA7

— Sky Racing April 7, 2018

JENNY GRAHAM/VICTOREM: Fine training to keep this impressive 3YO up for seven weeks without a start since he won the qualifying heat for the Country Championship. Daring ride by Ben Looker turned near disaster into an easy win.

TALKING POINTS

BLACK SATURDAY: It was a bookies fill up! The average starting prices of all winners at Randwick, Bendigo and Morphettvile says it all - in Adelaide it was $18.20; Bendigo $13.40 and Randwick a massive $28.35.

WEIGHT NOT RIGHT: A nasty sternum injury forced Corey Brown to stand down from riding following the ATC Derby with replacement riders needed for In Her Time in the TJ Smith and D’Argento in the Doncaster.

As a result Andrew Adkins took the mount on D’Argento in the Doncaster but was permitted to ride the 3YO 2kg over his allotted weight of 49kg. Brown had been given early permission to ride the Chris Waller-trained grey 1kg overweight but punters who had supported the horse have a fair gripe that another 1kg severely disadvantaged his chances.

The circumstances need to be clarified by stewards as punters are asking was Adkins the only available rider who could get close to D’Argento’s weight?

If another rider was available in D’Argento’s weight range the stewards have not given punters a fair go - again!

BOUQUETS AND BRICKBATS

BLAKE SHINN: Was in the zone with his fine rides aboard Happy Clapper and Sir Charles Road.

A thrilling battle down the straight as Sir Charles Road goes stride for stride with Ventura Storm, edging him out in the final stages in the Group 2 Chairman's Quality . pic.twitter.com/OmTqCNFfb1

— Sky RacingApril 7, 2018

BRENTON AVDULLA: Some days are diamonds, some days are stones – we know what the big day at Randwick became for him – a shocker!

NOEL CALLOW: Bendigo double was a timely reminder he is back home in Victoria after his NSW stint.

DEAN YENDALL: Went about his business with a no fuss treble at Morphettville.

DARRYL McCABE: Ben Currie made the headlines at Toowoomba in more ways than one but this rookie country trainer has hit the jackpot with Toowoomba Cup winner Morendi.

It's a blanket three way go in the Toowoomba Cup as Morendi JUST gets the bob in a thrilling feature! pic.twitter.com/GL1uC2B1tc

— Sky Racing April 7, 2018

MICHAEL CAHILL/MATT McGILLIVRAY: Not happy Jan! They should watch replays over and over of their painful rides on Shield Wall and Zofonic Dancer at Toowoomba.

ENBIHAAR: Blew like a gale and raced accordingly.

WHISPERING BROOK: Shocker from one labelled a moral in Adelaide.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Blake Shinn, Mark Zahra and Tye Angland were in great touch in the big races but for sheer daring and making the most of an opportunity the performance of Ben Looker on Victorem in the Country Championship Final was a pearler. Didn’t panic when badly blocked for a run and his split second decision to dive back to the inside won him the race.

Victory for Victorem!!

The rails run was true for Victorem as he races up on the inside and pulls clear with a mighty to kick to win the Country Championship Final & #TeamPortMacquarie!! pic.twitter.com/MB6yv7kjSX

— Sky Racing April 7, 2018

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“You can have your Golden Slippers and you can have your Cox Plates but when we were kids The Doncaster was always the race we wanted to win. I’ve spent more than 50 years living and working at Randwick, this has been my life and the Doncaster is the race I’ve wanted more than anything.” – What the Doncaster means to Pat Webster.

THEY SAID IT

• “You don’t like to use the word champion but if you took the mare (Winx) away, look at what he has done. He is an amazing horse - I said to my wife coming to the races today that they have to run a track record to beat him.” – Pat Webster on Happy Clapper.

Pat Webster tells all about his Doncaster Hopes, and what it means to win such a prestigious race with a fantastic horse like Happy Clapper. A big congratulations to Pat and the team, enjoy the celebrations! pic.twitter.com/LLVyoQH8lO

— Sky Racing April 7, 2018

•

• “I have watched this race for so many years growing up and to finally win it and on the people’s champ ‘The Clapper’. To win a Doncaster and put my name in the history books with this horse who deserves it is very special. He is so brave, he is honest, he is tenacious and tough…this is what it is all about.” – Blake Shinn after the Doncaster.

• “We are a very united stable, we are very tight knit and passionate about our sport. It’s very rewarding to be able to come away with another Group One - that’s the pinnacle of our sport and we all aspire to achieve that. We are going to enjoy it and savour the moment for many years to come.” – Levendi’s trainer Peter Gelagotis.

• "We've all started from humble beginnings and you get given opportunities in life when you've got the guts and determination to take them.” - More from Peter Gelagotis.

• “It is the moment of truth when you pull up and it’s going to be the most disheartening feeling ever or sheer joy - we didn’t know.” – Levendi’s jockey Mark Zahra on the Derby photo finish.

• “We tried on the course and we tried in the stewards room but it didn’t work out.” Ace High’s rider Tye Angland.

• “I think they might be knocking on the door for him to go to stud. I just hope Bert keeps racing him, he’s the best horse he’s ever had. I hope he loves racing him as much as I do.’’ – Trapeze Artist’s trainer Gerald Ryan.

One of the best kept secrets in racing, Trapeze Artist, does it again against the odds for . Onwards and upwards for this colt, well done to all connections!! pic.twitter.com/prKFWXvxiB

— Sky Racing April 7, 2018

• “Coming up the rise, having Redzel in our sights and being able to pick him up and put him away, that feels so good.” – Trapeze Artists’s rider Tye Angland.

• “I have to pinch myself every day. Horses like this make it a lot easier to get out of bed that is for sure.” – EL Dorado Dreaming’s trainer Ben Smith.

"We weren't here just to make up the numbers"

Benjamin Smith saddles up a strong chance in the T J Smith, but didn't think he'd go home with the Inglis Sires'. Greg Radley was there to chat to Ben and get his thoughts on this big win! pic.twitter.com/vnx5eYvZiK

— Sky Racing April 7, 2018

• “I thought I got beat and I was filthy with myself but we got there. Obviously she has a bucket load of talent.” – El Dorado Dreaming’s rider Damian Lane.

• “He did chug a little but he did the job. He pushed the boundaries – he’s a man, he pushes the boundaries.” – Victorem’s trainer Jenny Graham.

• “This is my Melbourne Cup. Obviously being in the bush you don’t find many progressive horses, let alone any as good as Victorem. He’s still learning, he just needs to relax a bit and when he does the sky is his limit.” – Ben Looker sums up his big day.

• “I had a talk to Mick Dittman about blinkers and he said go for it, that's all TJ Smith used to do'.” Paquirri’s trainer Gary Moore on his gear change.

BLACKBOOK

LEAN MEAN MACHINE: Genuine improver. Best to come.

IN HER TIME: Negative ride. Should have gone close.

SAMBRO: Watch the replay. Could have been in the finish.

DYSLEXIC: Watch out for her in her right grade.

SIZZLEME: Never got a crack. He’ll keep!

SHIELD WALL: Nothing went his way when he needed it.