What a way to round out three big days of racing action. A full field of eighteen, plus one emergency, line up for the G1 Rupert Clark with only three runners quoted a single figures – the two join favourites Rebel Dane and Strawberry Boy ($5.50) along with Solzhenitsyn ($7.00). Fingers crossed that the track plays a little better than it did last week and we see a competitive race with each runner getting their chance.
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Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Form Guide
1. LINTON – J Mott (9)
Made it three wins in a row and rounded out last campaign, with a big win in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in Brisbane. He hasn’t raced since that victory back in June and hasn’t had any trials in readiness for his return but is capable, as indicated by his previous fresh runs which include a fourth to Happy Trails in the G2 Dato’tan and victory in the G3 RA Lee Stakes – both over a mile, he can produce a run fresh.
2. DECEMBER DRAW – M Rodd (2)
8yo gelding who returned from a 10 month spell with a very good effort in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington three weeks ago. He settled on the speed and was held together for as long as possible before, and not surprisingly, found wanting late and finishing tenth (beaten 4 lengths) behind Foreteller. Will go forward again and can only be better for having the hit-out at Flemington.
3. SOLZHENITSYN – N Rawiller (5)
Ran well first up in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago, finishing second to Riva De Lago (beaten 2 ½ lengths). He ran third in this race last year second up, behind Moment of Change and We’re Gonna Rock with 53kgs and good draw. Has been allocated 57.5kgs this year but again, drawn well and will get his chance.
4. LUCKYGRAY – M Zahra (8)
Slick opposition, a slow track and 60kgs combined to make it hard for him first up in the G3 Aurie’s Star but he did well to finish sixth, 2.2 lengths off winner Broken. He then stepped up to the G1 Memsie Stakes but was caught wide with cover and ran ninth behind Atlantic Jewel. He’ll be better suited here under handicap conditions and the likelihood of a good track also to his benefit. Should give a good sight at $15.00.
5. FERLAX – S Baster (3)
Winner of last season’s G1 Australian Guineas (1600m), the son of Pentire has put in two very good performances since returning from a spell last month. He was doing his best work late in the G3 Aurie’s Star behind Broken first up before beating all bar Atlantic Jewel home in the G1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) last start. Drops 2kgs from the Memsie effort and should get a lovely run from a good draw. Any horse that runs second to Atlantic Jewel in G1 company and has $10.00 offered about them, creates plenty of interest.
6. BUDRIGUEZ – D Gauci (12)
He was in fantastic form last time in work winning the G2 Blamey Stakes (dead-heated with Puissance de Lune) and running second to Foreteller in the Peter Young Stakes. The 7yo by Al Maher has had two runs back from a spell and encountered a slow track first up when seventh of nine in the G3 Spring Stakes before finishing a well beaten eleventh of fourteen in the Listed Drummond Stakes behind Le Bonsir a fortnight ago. Drops nicely in weight, will roll forward but hard to see him holding of the challengers that will be coming thick and fast over the last 100m.
7. TEMPLE OF BOOM – N Hall (1)
As he so often does, produced a great effort up the Flemington straight last start when beating home all bar Speediness in the G3 Bobbie Lewis (1200m). That was his second run back from a spell and followed a neck second to Broken in the G3 Aurie’s Star. No doubting he is in good form but takes on the 1400m for only the second time in his career (the other resulted in three length fifth to Mid Summer Music in the G1 Stradbroke last year) and, for a horse who likes to get back, the inside gate may find him in the need of much luck.
8. REBEL DANE – G Boss (16)
Smart galloper who has won five of his nine starts including his first up run in the G3 Show County Stakes last month at Warwick Farm, where he defeated Title by 1 ¼ lengths. Since then, the only start for the son of Testa Rossa has been in the G3 Bobbie Lewis, up the Flemington Straight. Despite starting 6/4 favourite, he wasn’t disgraced having his first look up the straight course and ran fourth (beaten 1.2 lengths) behind Speediness. Better suited back to this track but will have plenty of work to do from a horror draw.
9. SPEEDINESS – C Williams (14)
Rounded out last campaign with a strong win in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) and picked up exactly were he left off when he produced a strong finish to claim the G3 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) three weeks ago. That took his career record to seven wins from twenty-two starts and we may still yet to see the best of the lightly raced 6yo.
10. FONTELINA – P Robl (4)
Retuned from a ten week spell in the Bobbie Lewis and ran whilst finishing ninth of eighteen, was only 2 ½ lengths from the winner Speediness. He ran some big races last prep at WFA including a fifth (beaten 1.4 lengths) behind Pierro in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m). He’ll be better for his initial hit-out and has drawn a barrier that should see him placed to advantage throughout.
11. LIDARI – B Melham (17)
Produced a big finish first up from a fifteen week spell to claim High Esteem (good in the Cameron Handicap since) right on the line in an Open class race over this track/trip. He backed that up with another strong effort in the G2 WFA Dato’tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago, running third to Fiorente by a neck. The draw is a horror one but he’s some very solid form.
12. PAGO ROCK – C Schofield (13)
The David Hayes trained runner kicked off this campaign by winning three of his first four starts including the Listed Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) defeating Elite Elle. Since that victory, he has attempted better class of races and performed well, running fourth (beaten two lengths) behind Puissance de Lune in the G2 P B Lawrence and at his last start, running fourth to Shoreham in the Listed Sofitel (1400m). Carried big weights his last two and drops nicely to 54kgs here but this is his first go at G1 level and would need to improve on his latest effort.
13. YOSEI – M Payne (17)
It has been over two years and twenty-four starts now since this daughter of Invincible Spirit recorded a win. She retuned from a brief let-up with a tenth of thirteen in the G3 The Shark (1100m) before getting back again and running second to last in the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes (1200m). Has produced some handy runs at this level in the past but her current form and wide gate rule her out here.
14. BONARIA – M Walker (10)
A Group 3 winning mare who resumed with a very good effort in the G3 Cockram Stakes, finishing fourth and within a length of winner Octavia. She backed that up with one run since, another pleasing effort where she closed well late form the tail of the field to run fourth again (beaten 1.1 lengths) behind Commanding Jewel in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m). Third up last prep she claimed the G3 Schweppes (1600m) at Flemington and whilst this is a much tougher race, her recent performances combined with the fact that she gets in here with only 52kgs, make her a chance.
15. THY – (11)
Surprised most when she finished down the centre of the track to claim the Listed Regal Roller (this course and trip) at 20/1 defeating That’s The One by a length. The 5yo mare has had only the one run since where she finished tenth of sixteen (beaten 4 lengths) behind Commanding Jewel in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. Previous third up runs have been over 1900 – 2000m and would think she’s better suited to that distance range now.
16. DANY THE FOX – D Yendall (7)
Winner of the Kilmore Cup (1600m) last time in, the 5yo trained by Mick Price returned to racing with a third behind Thy in the Listed Regal Roller (1200m) before stepping out as the 7/4 favourite in the Listed Sofitel (1400m) and, after settling on the speed, stuck on very well only be out-bobbed on the line by Shoreham. Given three weeks off since that run and with a feather weight and relatively good draw, will got forward however, at this level, will find it harder again to stave off the challengers.
17. MUTUAL TRUST – C Symons (18)
Former import who resumed from a spell, only his third start in Australia, and had little luck obtaining a clear run home in the Listed Sofitel (1400m). It wasn’t until the Flemington clock tower that the 6yo got to the outside and when he did, hit the line in very good style to finish 1 ¾ from Shoreham in eighth spot. Whilst it was a very encouraging return, this is a Group 1 race where, from the outside gate, he’ll be giving them all a start.
18. STRAWBERRY BOY – (2)
A promising type who had won six of his nine starts before resuming in a Caulfield Open handicap over this trip almost a month ago. The son of Redoute’s Choice when within a whisker of enhancing his impressive record, when he led all bar the last few hops, being collared by Lidari (good again in a G2 race) right on the line. Carried 58kgs when resuming and drops to 52kgs here where, from his inside draw, he’ll give them plenty to catch again.
19. PERON – (15) EM
Progressive mare who won six of her first eight starts including a soft win in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich on their Cup day. The daughter of Husson, who trialled in impressive fashion for her return to racing, was sent out 7/2 favourite in the G3 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago. She didn’t have the early speed required to take up a spot but was hitting the line in very good style and finished second to Driefontein, beaten a length. Definitely has a good race in her over the spring but this might not be it.
OVERVIEW
A great race with a host of legitimate chances! The Caulfield track as played its part in some of the recent racing and its performance on Sunday, with this being the last race, is imperative. Strawberry Boy leads with December Draw, Dany The Fox, Fontelina, and Solzhenitsyn all going forward as well, ensuring a genuine pace. Hard to know where to look here, so going with some value in Speediness and Fontelina ($15.00 and $17.00 respectively). Speediness was good first up and hard to think he would not have had improved off of that run. Fontelina, who comes form the same race, should get his chance with a light weight and good draw. Nothing wrong with Ferlax’s ($10) two runs back this time in and an improved effort from Luckygray would not surprise. Could probably list another six and still miss the winner such is the quality of the race.
- SPEEDINESS
- FONTELINA
- FERLAX
- LUCKYGRAY
