Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – 2021

Track: Soft? Weather: Showers

A quality field of sixteen runners plus one emergency has been assembled for this years running of the $1,000,000 Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.  Three come via the Chautauqua Stakes at Moonee Valley, two last ran in the The Heath, two in the Feehan Stakes while two others come via the Memsie Stakes which is the traditional lead up for this race.  Trainers Michael Moroney and Nick Ryan saddle up two runners each.

The early favourite in the betting is four year old gelding Beau Rossa.  He has finished in the top 2 at all three runs this preparation and gets a key weight swing on Behemoth who has beaten him by narrow margins at his last two starts.  Next in the betting is Probabeel.  She is a quality mare who beat a star studded field in the Futurity at this track and trip earlier in the year.

Behemoth won the Memsie Stakes last time out and is back to defend his title after he swamped them down the outside in last years running of this race.  I’m Thunderstruck needs one scratching to get into the field and despite drawing a wide gate would be a live chance if he does.  He is a very talented gelding with plenty of upside.  Sierra Sue was dominant winning the PB Lawrence, then luckless in the Feehan Stakes last time.  Amish Boy ran well in The Heath first up while Buffalo River is the only horse in the field not to have had a start in the last two months.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Behemoth

The big boy from South Australia is back to defend his title after winning this race last year.  He won the Memsie here last start thanks to a super ride from Brett Prebble.  Gets Craig Williams back on for this.  One of the chances.

2. Probabeel

Beat a quality field this track and distance in the Futurity Stakes earlier in the year.  Excellent win first up in the Cockram Stakes & maps to get a soft run for an inform Brett Prebble.  Major player.

3. Streets Of Avalon

Two time Group 1 winner this track and trip.  He was good first up, poor at his next two then bounced back with a good fifth in the Feehan.  Will role forward, make his own luck and gets Damian Oliver.

4. Dalasan

Comes via a first up run in the Chautauqua Stakes at Moonee Valley.  He found the line okay there and is much better suited out to 1400m here.  His third placings in the Doncaster and Queen Elizabeth read well for this.

5. Beau Rossa

Progressive gelding who has five wins and four placings from twelve starts.  Can make a strong case that he should of won the Memsie last start with even luck.  Draws barrier one again so will require some luck at a key stage but is much better in at the weights.   Rates highly here.

6. Buffalo River

Bold front running type who is first up here.  His third behind Star Of the Seas and Fifty Stars in last years Blamey puts him in the mix here.

7. Sierra Sue

Impressed winning the PB Lawrence here two starts ago before a luckless run in the Feehan last time out.  She is absolutely flying and has an each way chance at double figure odds.

8. Groundswell

Strong win first up at Flemington, then may have been anchored by the big weight when weakening out here last time.  Drops 8kg in weight for this.

9. Aysar

Poor first up then improved to finish fourth in the Chautauqua Stakes last time out.  Returns to Caulfield where he finished second in last years Caulfield Guineas and is suited out to 1400m.

10. Irish Flame

This Brett Scott trained seven year old ran a huge race first up in the Chautauqua Stakes at Moonee Valley when third.  Strips fitter second up.  Wouldn’t shock to see him run well here at a price.

11. Romancer

Fit and racing well.  Latest he was wide at Moonee Valley in a fast run 1500m Open Handicap and stuck on well to be beaten less than two lengths.  Maps well.

12. Samizdat

Craig Newitt picks up the ride on this Western Australian visitor.  He won the Belmont Newmarket two back but not sure his form is good enough here.

13. Amish Boy

Hit the line strongly in The Heath first up.  Also ran a bold race in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap earlier in the year.  If he can get some cover from barrier 15 he can make his presence felt with no weight on his back.

14. Dice Roll

Returns from an eight week let up.  He won three in a row over this distance earlier in the year and handles all conditions.

15. Regardsmareee

The second of the Nick Ryan runners.  He is on the quick back up after finishing fifth at Flemington last week but not sure he has the class to win here.

16. Poland

This Michael Moroney trained entire was a Group 2 winner this track and trip in February and his resuming run in a high rating The Heath is better than the eighth in your form guide suggests.  Knock out chance!

17. I’m Thunderstruck (1st Emerg)

Needs one scratching to get a run in the race.  He has four wins from six starts and is a gelding with an enormous amount of talent.  Will almost certainly have to go back here from the wide draw but has an enormous turn of foot and will appreciate any rain.  His jump out earlier in the week was outstanding.  Can win.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Behemoth	5. Beau Rossa
5. Beau Rossa	17. I’m Thunderstruck
2. Probabeel	7. Sierra Sue
17. I’m Thunderstruck	3. Probabeel

The track was rated as Good

Scratchings:  3. Streets Of Avalon

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	7. Sierra Sue
2nd	14. Dice Roll	0.1 length
3rd	17. I’m Thunderstruck	0.6 length
4th	9. Aysar	1 length