The Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes will be run at Caulfield this Saturday.
The $1 million race over 1400m has a massive field of 20 runners, which includes four emergencies.
Of the 16 starters, there are plenty of winning hopes, but we’ve attempted to narrow it down for the punters.
What makes it tricky is two of the main chances in I Wish I Win and Dragon Leap are currently the first and second emergencies so will need scratchings to make their way into the field.
See our guide below:
-THE TOP HOPES-
18e. I Wish I Win (14)
Peter Moody / Jame Kah (54kg)
Won superbly in his first Australian start at Caulfield in late August.
Has a Group 1 placing behind Imperatriz in New Zealand.
Looks the obvious choice but is drawn wide in a big field and perhaps the current price of around $3 is under the odds.
10. Showmanship (10)
Danny O’Brien / Damien Oliver (56.5kg)
Impressed when winning first-up at Randwick on August 20, powering home from mid-field.
Has a flawless record at this distance, winning all four starts at the 1400m.
Damien Oliver takes the ride and he looks a fairly solid bet at around $6.
8. Ayrton (4)
Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr / Damian Lane (56.5kg)
Has a wonderful first-up record, winning at all four attempts.
The winner of six of 10 races also has four from four at Caulfield and has four wins and two placings from seven starts at the distance.
Connections will be hoping for a dry track.
17e. Dragon Leap (15)
Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott / Michael Dee (54.5kg)
Another Kiwi visitor who appears well placed in this.
Dragon Leap just missed Imperatriz first-up back home before running well behind Snapdancer in the Memsie on August 27 crossing the line with Western Empire.
Has to navigate a wide draw but will likely get back so that shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
A strong each-way chance.
-IN THE MIX-
15. Tuvalu (13)
Lindsey Smith / Jarrod Fry (54.5kg)
Resumes after a successful campaign which yielded three wins.
Has a strong first-up record (4:3-1), this is his pet distance (6:4-2) and jockey Jarrod Fry (6:4-2) knows the horse well.
Should race on the pace and give himself every hope.
9. Hilal (20)
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes / Jye McNeil (56.5kg)
Sydney-sider in town to contest this Group 1 with Jye McNeil in the saddle for Team Hawkes.
Was a good run second-up when fourth behind Anamoe in the Winx Stakes which reads well for this.
Has raced twice in Melbourne for a third at Flemington last spring.
Is drawn the carpark though…
14. Bankers Choice (18)
Mike Moroney / Craig Newitt (54.5kg)
Trainer Mike Moroney is a fan of this horse, telling SEN Track this week saying “he is a pretty talented galloper on his day”.
He also suggested to have a small bet on the talented yet inconsistent gelding.
Has decent form at Group 1 and 2 level in Sydney and if the speed is on up front, he could be the one late.
7. Graceful Girl (1)
Danny O’Brien / Jamie Kah (57kg)
Very intriguing that Jamie Kah has been booked on her, just in case I Wish I Win doesn’t make the field.
Graceful Girl ran well behind Baller at Flemington last weekend and could be set to run a big race third-up.
One to watch at odds.
Top 4 Selections:
ShowmanshipI Wish I WinDragon Leap
Ayrton
To consider after scratchings:
Graceful Girl
Tuvalu
Bankers Choice
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