The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is a 1400m, Group 1 handicap, held at Caulfield Racecourse and carries a whopping $1m prize money purse. The early spring feature has been won by some out and out champions of the turf including Manikato, Encosta De Lago and Exceed and Excel. The Busuttin/Young trained, Sierra Sue, was victorious in last year’s Sir Rupert Clarke with Daniel Moor in the saddle.
Former kiwi, I Wish I Win, has come up $3.20 favourite with Dabble for this year’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, after a scintillating win first up here at Caulfield. Ever-consistent gelding, Tuvalu, is well in contention at $5.50, and Ayrton is next best at $6.00. Former WA galloper and first up G3 winner, Showmanship, and NZ G2 winner, Dragon Leap, are also well respected and are currently around the $7 mark.
With a capacity field to go around and a wide open market, this year’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes looks a competitive race. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes along with The Shark’s best tips.
- Dalasan (11)
Jockey – Jason Holder 58kg
Trainer – Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas
Covered ground and still got the job done first up at Morphettville Parks. Will take plenty of benefit out of that and has a good second up record. If he can run up to his 5th in the Doncaster last prep he’s in with a show here.
- Laws Of Indices (7)
Jockey – John Allen 58kg
Trainer – Annabel Neasham
Former Irish galloper who is yet to break through here in Australia. He ran a good 3rd in the G1 George Ryder in the Autumn and wasn’t far away in the All Aged and Doncaster. He should get a nice run from the good gate here and his trial leading into this was solid. Worth some thought.
- Sinawann (3)
Jockey – Ben Melham 58kg
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman
Made steady ground first up behind smart Qlder, Uncommon James, in a sit and sprint affair. His second up record is exceptional and is a winner here over the 1400m. Will need some luck from the low draw but isn’t without a winning hope.
- Callsign Mav (12)
Jockey – Jamie Mott 57.5kg
Trainer – Danny O’Brien
Sat outside the leader first up in the Memsie and was no match in the straight. Is a three time G1 winner across the Tasman but is yet to show his best form here. Happy to look elsewhere.
- I Am Superman (19)
Jockey – Mark Zahra 57.5kg
Trainer – Peter & Paul Snowden
Excellent first up run behind Mr Brightside who has since demolished a smart field at the Valley. Stays at the 1400m which is his pet trip, but the barrier is a bump in the road. Will need a 10/10 ride from Zahra, but nobody is riding better at the moment. Can win with luck.
- Just Folk (5)
Jockey – Harry Coffey 57.5kg
Trainer – Joshua Julius
Ran ok first up down the straight at Flemington before a much improved effort second up at Morphettville Parks. Wasn’t beaten far this trip in the G1 CF Orr and with a nice run in transit, shouldn’t be too far away from the action.
This week’s #HorseOfTheWeek goes to JUST FOLK who runs in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 🔥
By @widdenstud Victoria’s little champion MAGNUS, this gelding was bred by Mr LJ Dwyer & Mrs M B Dwyer 👏
📸 – @Racing__Photos pic.twitter.com/qoIwgxB75o
— TBV (@vicbreeders) September 16, 2022
- Graceful Girl (1)
Jockey – Jamie Kah 57kg
Trainer – Danny O’Brien
Got back and never threatened first up before an improved run last Saturday in the G2 Bobbie Lewis. Showed enormous talent in WA and should be ready to peak third up, but will need a lot of luck from the inside draw. Willing to leave her out in this.
- Ayrton (4)
Jockey – Damian Lane 56.5kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
Resumes here. Excellent win this trip first up last prep before a total forgive run at the Gold Coast behind Zaaki. Never on the track in the G1 Stradbroke and did well to finish where he did. Comes into this off the back of a nice trial win and is unbeaten first up (4:4-0-0) and here at Caulfield (4:4-0-0), including three wins over the 1400m. Gets a good opportunity to show what he’s made of here.
- Hilal (20)
Jockey – Jye McNeil 56.5kg
Trainer – Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
Got back and warmed up late in the Missile Stakes first up. Rolled forward last start and held on well behind Godolphin star, Anamoe. Won’t find much better form than that in this race, but the gate makes things tricky. Needs luck but can win if he gets it.
- Showmanship (10)
Jockey – Damien Oliver 56.5kg
Trainer – Danny O’Brien
Resumed with a good win at Randwick first up and should have taken plenty of improvement from that run. This is his biggest test to date, but has a brilliant record and gets D Oliver in the saddle. Plenty of positives.
- Red Can Man (17)
Jockey – Luke Nolen 56kg
Trainer – Steve Wolfe
Didn’t have things go his way first up here at Caulfield before rolling forward and holding on well last Saturday in the Bobbie Lewis. Looks ready for the 1400m third up but will need some luck from the wide gate.
- Buffalo River (16)
Jockey – Daniel Stackhouse 55.5kg
Trainer – Michael Moroney
Ran a bold race in the PB Lawrence two back behind Mr Brightside before a lacklustre performance last start. Not sure he will get things his own way up front here but grows a leg if there’s any rain around.
Seriously open race in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes! 👀
The field:
1. Dalasan (11)
2. Laws Of Indices (7)
3. Sinawann (3)
4. Callsign Mav (12)
5. I Am Superman (19)
6. Just Folk (5)
7. Graceful Girl (1)
8. Ayrton (4)
9. Hilal (20)
10. Showmanship (10)🏇🌬️
[1/2]#Caulfield pic.twitter.com/D1pK52flUJ
— bet365 AUS (@bet365_aus) September 14, 2022
- Aysar (9)
Jockey – Craig Williams 55kg
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes
Broke a two year duck last start when winning the Listed Chautauqua Stakes at the Valley. Should land a good spot from the gate but will need to improve again if he’s going to make it two wins on the bounce.
- Bankers Choice (18)
Jockey – Craig Newitt 54.5kg
Trainer – Michael Moroney
Got a mile back first up and made steady ground to finish midfield behind I Wish I Win. Chased hard in a Doncaster before being spelled. The barrier has done him no favours but on his best form is good enough to figure in the finish.
- Tuvalu (13)
Jockey – Jarrod Fry 54.5kg
Trainer – Lindsey Smith
Continued his consistent form when winning the Winter Championship Final last start at Flemington. Hasn’t raced here at Caulfield but his only defeat at 1400m was behind I’m Thunderstruck. Will be in the race for a long way.
- Chaillot (6)
Jockey – Daniel Moor 53kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
Resuming here for the new stable after formerly being with Archie Alexander. Has a brilliant fresh record and should get a soft run from the good draw. Has a dynamite turn of foot on her day and should be charging late. Respect.
17e. Dragon Leap (15)
Jockey – Michael Dee 54.5kg
Trainer – Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott
Backed up his good first up run with a solid effort in the G1 Memsie Stakes last start. Should be ready to peak third up and has to be considered a winning hope if he gains a start.
18e. I Wish I Win (14)
Jockey – Jamie Kah 54kg
Trainer – Peter G Moody
Heavily supported at his Australian debut and made mincemeat of his rivals. Stays at the Caulfield 1400m and judging off his first up effort, the sky looks the limit. Big step up to a G1 here but is a deserved favourite and will give them something to worry about if he gains a start.
19e. Age Of Chivalry (8)
Jockey – Ethan Brown 54kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
Ran well in the Chautauqua Stakes first up after a tardy start. Looks well suited second up and out to 1400m. Should get a good run in transit and can sneak a place at good odds.
20e. Open Minded (2)
Jockey – Damien Thornton 53.5kg
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman
Held on well first up in a hot race behind Uncommon James before another solid effort last start. Gives his all every start and will give backers a sight if he sneaks into the final field.
Final Word
A full field of 16 starters will greet the starter in this year’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and the speed looks as though it will be strong from the get go.
Former kiwi, I Wish I Win, was off the map first up here at Caulfield and the plunge was justified by a dominant 4 length win. He ran marginally faster time than the G1 Memsie Stakes on the same day, and is a deserved favourite here. His biggest hurdle is going to be gaining a start in the final field.
Another who will be sweating on a scratching come Saturday morning is Dragon Leap. He was good in the Memsie second up after a good return behind Imperatriz. He looks well suited back to handicap conditions here and has to be well respected.
The Price/Kent Jnr trained, Ayrton, has always had big wraps on him but is yet to deliver on the big stage. He gets a prime opportunity to do so here first up and stamp himself a genuine G1 galloper. He has great stats here at Caulfield and 1400m is his pet trip, but will be praying the rain stays away.
The barrier draw has made it tough for the Snowden trained, I Am Superman, and Team Hawkes’, Hilal, but both should be respected on recent form, as should the ultra-consistent, Tuvalu, and Showmanship. The mare down the bottom, Chaillot, is very good fresh and can run blistering sectionals when on song.
Best Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Tip: 18 I Wish I Win – Win
Next best: 5 I Am Superman – Each way
Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Tip
I Wish I Win
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