Avdulla chasing a hometown Cox Plate win

Former Melbourne boy Brenton Avdulla enjoys getting back to home base at spring carnival time.

Above all else he loves to ride in feature races.

Avdulla will be at Moonee Valley on Saturday to partner Happy Clapper in the Cox Plate for his second ride in the race.

He finished fifth on Secret Admirer in 2011.

Avdulla grew up around Caulfield and did his early work at that track before transferring to Sydney where he has been based for the past seven years.

“It’s my second ride in the Cox Plate and as it’s turned out I’ve drawn next to the superstar in Winx,” Avdulla said.

“To have a ride in such a prestigious race is such an honour.

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“Stranger things have happened. One hundred to one pops do win so you have to be in it to win it.”

Avdulla picked barrier four for Happy Clapper at Tuesday’barrier draw, with Winx inside him, and hopes to get a good run not far from the speed.

“Hopefully from that barrier we’ll be third, fourth, fifth or sixth in the run and get going before the turn,” Avdulla said.

“And hopefully he’s good enough.”

Happy Clapper has form credentials around Cox Plate opponents Winx, Lucia Valentina and Huaraki.

“Although he hasn’t won at Group One level, he’s run second and third in two of Sydney’s biggest races,” Avdulla said.

“It’s taken Winx and Lucia Valentina to beat him.

“Luck in running is going to be a big thing but he handles all conditions and you never know, the Valley could improve him.”