Trainer keen on Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes outsider

Trainer John Sadler says Charmed Harmony won’t know himself with the limit weight in a Group One Handicap at Caulfield.

The Caulfield-trained galloper runs in Sunday’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) with 52kg under Katelyn Mallyon.

The last time he carried anywhere near that weight was 53kg in the 2016 Stradbroke Handicap where he failed to adapt to the right handed way of racing at Eagle Farm.

And he carried 54.5kg when fifth behind Stratum Star in the 2015 Sir Rupert Clarke, beaten less than 1-1/2 lengths.

“It’s a long time since he’s carried 52 kilos. He’ll enjoy that on Sunday,” Sadler said.

Charmed Harmony has a good record over 1400m at Caulfield and at his most recent start finished a 2-1/4 length second to Hartnell in the PB Lawrence Stakes on August 19.

He was scheduled to run in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on September 2 but was withdrawn following a track upgrade early in the program.

Sadler is hopeful the track on Sunday will be similar to the one produced at Caulfield on September 23.

“Even though they called it a (good) three there was good give in it, whereas the meeting before I didn’t think there was,” Sadler said.

“Plenty of rain would be great but that doesn’t look like happening but over seven furlongs at Caulfield, he doesn’t often let you down.”

Despite missing the Memsie Stakes, Sadler said Charmed Harmony was in good order ahead of Sunday’s race.

“He’s as good as he can be but it’s a really strong field and there’s a reason he’s only carrying 52 (kg), that’s because there’s some very good horses in the race,” Sadler said.

Charmed Harmony is rated an $18 chance in early betting.

Perth galloper Scales Of Justice is the $4.60 favourite and will jump from barrier seven under Brad Rawiller.

The Robert Smerdon-trained Theanswermyfriend, who has a good 1400m record with three wins and two seconds from five starts at the trip, is second pick at $6 ahead of the Anthony Freedman-trained Mr Sneaky at $7.50.

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