Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Cloudy

There is a full field of 16 runners plus 4 emergencies for the $300,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and they come from many different form lines. Three of them had their last start in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes on 29 August, five of them had their last start in the Listed Chandler McLeod Stakes on 5 September, two in the Listed The Heath on 29 August and two in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality on 12 September. The early favourite is five-year-old  Behemoth who has won the Group 3 Spring Stakes and the Memsie Stakes at his last two starts. Second favourite is Tagaloa who won the Blue Diamond Stakes in the autumn and resumed for a close 3rd in the Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes. Third favourite is Age Of Chivalry who has placed at both outings this campaign.

Superstorm is a very good Western Australian gelding who has drawn very wide.  Banquo finished runner up in the Bobbie Lewis last start. Cascadian Has finished on the placegetter heels in the P.B. Lawrence and Memsie Stakes in his two starts this time in. Pretty Brazen looked impressive winning the Group 2 Let’s Elope over this trip at Flemington last start. Begood Toya Mother won this race last year and was 2.8 lengths 6th in the Memsie Stakes last outing.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Behemoth

This All Too Hard gelding won the Memsie this track and distance last start. Goes up 1kg under the handicap conditions but is drawn to advantage and he is one of the main chances again.

2. Streets of Avalon

Finished less than a length from the winner in The Group 2 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley last start

3. Begood Toya Mother

Won this race last year and will be attempting back-to-back wins.

4. Cascadian

Finished on the placegetter heels in the P.B. Lawrence and Memsie Stakes in two runs this preparation.

5. Superstorm

Well credentialed Western Australian galloper who is one of the chances.

6. Dollar for Dollar

He has been close up in two runs since returning from over a year away from the track.

7. Madam Rouge

Resumed for 3.6 lengths 6th in the WW Cockram Stakes,

8. Mandela Effect

Won three Listed races in Tasmania before 5th in the Chandlet Macleod Stakes.

9. Reykjavik

Needs to show improvement on his latest runs.

10. Achernar Star

Drops in weight but this is too hard.

11. Age of Chivalry

Was runner-up in this race last year and has an extra 3.5kg to carry.

12. Debt Agent

Hasn’t been racing well enough. Not here.

13. Pretty Brazen

Looked impressive winning the Group 2 Let’s Elope over this trip at Flemington last start.

14. Roheryn  – SCRATCHED

15. Tagaloa

Won the Blue Diamond Stakes in the autumn and resumed for a close 3rd in the Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes.

16. Banquo

Finished runner up in the Bobbie Lewis last start.

17. Harlech – 1st Emergency

Lightly raced New Zealander having his first Australian start and has two Group 1 placings in NZ.

18. I Am Superman  – 2nd Emergency

Won at this track and distance last start but up in grade.

19. Gold Fields – 3rd Emergency

Is unlikely to get a run.

20. Runson – 4th Emergency

Not expected to get a start.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
1 Behemoth
4 Cascadian
3 Begood Toya Mother
13 Pretty Brazen

Group 3 How Now Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 Naturalism Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 2000m)

Listed Jim Moloney Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 1 George Main Stakes 2020 (Randwick 1600m)