2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is a 1400 metre open handicap run by the Melbourne Racing Club. It is normally held on the same day as the Underwood Stakes in September each year during the Spring Racing Carnival.

Race Type: Group 1, Open Handicap
Distance: 1400m
Track: Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
Date: 18 Sep 2010

Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Racing Odds – Click Here

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was first run in 1951 over 7 furlongs (about 1400 metres) and was won by Jovial Lad. It was originally called the Invitation Stakes and was run for invited jockeys from 1951 to 1974. It has had many names over the years including Marlboro Cup, Show Day Cup, VicHealth Cup, Eat Well Live Well Cup, Show Day Cup and the Dubai Racing Club Cup. It became a Group 1 race in 1979.

Sir Rupert Clarke was a soldier in World War II and was involved in Victorian racing for 40 years. He was chairman of the Victorian Amateur Turf Club from 1972 to 1989 and was also chairman of several well-known companies including Cadbury Schweppes and P&O Australia. He was also on the board of the NAB and was involved in charity work He died in 2005 at the age of 85.

Lead-up races include the Memsie Stakes over 1400 metres, and horses that run well in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes may go on to run in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000 metres or a variety of weight-for age or open handicap sprints from 1200 to 1600 metres. In 1992 the race was won by a four-year-old mare called Mannerism who went on to win the Caulfield Cup later in her preparation.

Only a small number of horses have won this race more than once. Testa Rossa won in 1999 and 2000, Tauto won in 1970 and 1971, Anonyme won in 1961 and 1962, and St Joel won in 1953, 1956 and 1959 in an amazingly long racing career. Other notable winners include Encosta De Lago, Our Maizcay, Poetic King, St Jude, Rancho Ruler , Canny Lass, Torbek, Manikato, Raffindale, Cap d’Antibes and Matrice.

Past winners of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes: