Tips Category: Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

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2022 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Runner By Runner Preview & Tips

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. 

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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

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I Wish I Win

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2021 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

The 2021 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has attracted an outstanding capacity field of 16 plus one wildcard emergency, with some stars of the turf clashing for the $1 million up for grabs.

Last year’s winner Behemoth is well fancied to go back-to-back, with major rivals Beau Rossa and Probabeel also prominent in the market, with all three runners under $6.50 in the market at the time of writing (Thursday afternoon).

The wildcard could be the emergency, the progressive four-year-old I’m Thunderstruck, who is sure to make his presence felt if he gains a start.

Let’s dive into our runner-by-runner analysis of the 2021 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes!

1. Behemoth (3) – $6.50
Jockey – Craig Williams
Trainer – David Jolly

He’s tracking well for back-to-back wins in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, so far replicating his build-up from last preparation with wins in the Spring Stakes (1200m) and the Memsie Stakes (1400m). Willo should be able to use the gate and get him somewhere forward of midfield, and he looks a mighty strong chance here.

2. Probabeel (2) – $5.50
Jockey – Brett Prebble
Trainer – Jamie Richards

Resumed with an emphatic win in the Cockram Stakes (1200m) last outing when first up, and she’s hitting this second up, which is arguably when she does her best work. She’s undefeated here at Caulfield and Prebble is just about the best jockey in Victoria on current form. Will be right in the finish and it will take a monster effort to beat her.

3. Streets Of Avalon (14) – $51
Jockey – Damien Oliver
Trainer – Shane Nichols

He’s an absolute warrior and track and distance specialist, and interestingly gets D Oliver onboard. However, he’s severely outclassed and the price is about right.

4. Dalasan (16) – $61
Jockey – Ben Allen
Trainer – Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas

It’s a big price for a quality animal, but gate 16 makes it very tough and he certainly doesn’t win out of turn. Could be worth throwing into exotics.

5. Beau Rossa (1) – $4.80
Jockey – Linda Meech
Trainer – Will Clarken

Actually beat Behemoth home in the Spring Stakes but the result was overturned on protest, and he was desperately unlucky in the Memsie Stakes when he encountered traffic at a crucial stage. Meech is a tremendous rider of on-pacers, surely she’ll use the gate here and he will be very tough to run down.

6. Buffalo River (4) – $20
Jockey – Patrick Moloney
Trainer – Michael Moroney

Very strong over the 1400m and is always ready to go first up. Not sure he has the class of some of these, and he does his best work when he strikes a surface with a bit of give in it, which he won’t get here. Happy to risk.

7. Sierra Sue (10) – $14
Jockey – Daniel Moor
Trainer – Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young

Won the P.B. Lawrence Stakes well at this track and trip two back and there’s a case to be made that she should have won the Feehan Stakes last outing behind Superstorm and Elephant when she ran up nothing but backsides in the straight. Worth throwing into exotics.

8. Groundswell (9) – $26
Jockey – Damien Thornton
Trainer – Anthony and Sam Freedman

Should sit on speed and provide some nuisance value at the front of the pack, but looks out of his depth here and will be a roadblock late when he runs out of steam.

9. Aysar (13) – $41
Jockey – Harry Coffey
Trainer – Ben and JD Hayes

It’s a big price for this galloper but he doesn’t win out of turn and underachieved in his three-year-old campaign. This looks really tough but he could run a hole at a price if everything goes his way.

10. Irish Flame (5) – $41
Jockey – Matty Cartwright
Trainer – Brett Scott

Ran really well first up in the Chautauqua Stakes, but is better over further and is not a major player here.

11. Romancer (8) – $46
Jockey – Michael Dee
Trainer – Grahame Begg

Looks outclassed here, has no chance. OTI may even scratch him to give I’m Thunderstruck a start if they’re that way inclined.

12. Samizdat (6) – $27
Jockey – Craig Newitt
Trainer – Chris and Michael Gangemi

Brings some rock solid Perth form and isn’t to be discounted in exotics at the price. The 1400m does look a bit of a stretch, most of his best work is over the 1200m.

13. Amish Boy (15) – $14
Jockey – Dean Yendall
Trainer – Ciaron Maher and David Eustace

Promising type who resumed really well in The Heath behind Masked Crusader and should have some residual fitness from his Queensland winter campaign. However, is up against it from the wide draw and would need to go to a new career peak to win.

14. Dice Roll (7) – $26
Jockey – Fred Kersley
Trainer – Nick Ryan

Was a progressive type during the winter and showed good ability, but this is an optimistic assignment first up from Nick Ryan.

15. Regardsmaree (11) – $31
Jockey – Dean Holland
Trainer – Nick Ryan

Another promising type from the Nick Ryan camp, has been around the mark this preparation but would need to improve significantly to be in with a chance here.

16. Poland (12) – $31
Jockey – Teo Nugent
Trainer – Michael Moroney

Talented rising four year old who will be up on top of the speed and will give a massive effort. Will be better over the mile third up.

17e. I’m Thunderstruck (17) – $8.50
Jockey – Jye McNeil
Trainer – Mick Price and Mick Kent Jnr

Has untapped ability, could be he best four-year-old in the country and should make his presence felt if he gains a start. However has drawn the carpark which as us leaning towards others this time around.

Final Word

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has an outstanding field, with strong arguments to be made for the four gallopers in single figures – Behemoth, Probabeel, Beau Rossa, and I’m Thunderstruck.

The two gallopers in this group with Group 1 runs on the board are Behemoth and Probabeel, with the Kiwi mare hitting this in peak condition second up, with the most in-form rider in Victoria onboard. Behemoth has shown some signs of vulnerability, being beaten past the post in the Spring Stakes by Beau Rossa, who was again unlucky in the Memsie Stakes.

We’re going to side with the star mare Probabeel here, but only just, with Behemoth, and Beau Rossa sure to be right in the finish.

Best Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Tip: Probabeel – Win ($5.50).

If you want to check out our Runner-By-Runner analysis of the George Main Stakes, click here!

*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of Sportsbet.