Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

See the 2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Preview and results

See the 2022 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Preview and results

See the 2021 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Preview and results

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.

In 2023 the timing was moved from September to mid-November which means the lead-up races will change.

Last mare to win: Sierra Sue (2021)

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Exceed And Excel (2003); Filly – none

Multiple winners: Testa Rossa (1999 & 2000); Private Talk (1976 & 1979); Tauto (1970 & 1971); St Joel (1953, 1956 & 1959).

Fastest time (1400m): Exceed And Excel (2003) 1:21.20

Interesting trivia: It was Daniel Moor’s 37th birthday when he won his first Australian Group 1 race on Sierra Sue in 2021.

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.

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.

From the archives:

2018 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Preview & Tips:

Track: Good   Weather: Overcast

There is a full field of 15 plus 4 emergencies for the $500,000 Ladbrokes Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. The early favourite is Home Of The Brave who is a Godolphin import with two previous Australian starts. He led all the way for an impressive 2 length win in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes last start. Second favouritism is shared between Osborne Bulls another Godolphin runner with the impressive record of 8 wins from 11 starts, and Land of Plenty, one of 3 runners for Darren Weir who has 3 wins and a second from his last 4 starts.

Jungle Cat hasn’t started since winning the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March where he won all 3 races last campaign. Peaceful State ran on strongly for 2^nd in a Listed race over 1200m last start, and likes this distance. Showtime was checked at the 150m and finished last in the Memsie Stakes after winning the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes the start before. Oregon’s Day was 5^th in the Memsie  less than a length from the winner, and has won a Group 2 race. All other runners are currently 15 to 1 or longer.

The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.