The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is one of two Group 1 races set to take place at Caulfield on Saturday and as per usual it is a very interesting betting race.
It is Scales Of Justice that is on top of our 2017 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes betting market, but this field is packed full of quality and you can make a case for any number of runners.
Can Scales Of Justice record a second Group 1 victory or will there be an upset? We have analysed every horse in the 2017 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes field and our Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes tips can be found below.
It’s Somewhat
It’s Somewhat has been something of a forgotten horse and he is well and truly over the odds at his current price of $20. Trainer James Cummings has set him for this race and he is a horse that is capable of sprinting very well fresh. He beat a tougher field than this to win the Doncaster Mile during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and he has developed into a very consistent galloper. Hugh Bowman will settle him right on the speed and he is a great each-way bet.
Lucky Hussler
Lucky Hussler was not disgraced in the Bobbie Lewis Quality, but it has been a while since he performed at his best and a tough career may be catching up to him. He is a tough horse to back until he shows that he still has a zest for racing.
Scales Of Justice
Scales Of Justice is definitely the horse to beat in the 2017 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. He never handled the Flemington straight and he was running sideways for most of the way, but he was still able to finish second behind Redkirk Warrior in the Bobbie Lewis Quality. I would be surprised if he had the same issues with Caulfield and the 1400 metres really should suit. He is capable of a very high-rating performance and he has an excellent chance to record a second Group 1 win.
Tosen Stardom
Tosen Stardom is a tough horse to assess. He is always thereabouts and he finished a nice third in the Memsie Stakes, but he is still yet to record a maiden win in Australia and he hasn’t won since 2015. He gives me the impression that he is crying out for a step-up in trip and this is slightly unusual placement from Darren Weir, but you can’t really question the master trainer.
Grande Rosso
This is a big step-up in class for Grande Rosso following his win at Caulfield last start. He has never really given the impression that he is up to a race of this quality and I can’t get him as short as his current price.
Charmed Harmony
Charmed Harmony has been freshened up since he finished a gallant second in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes. He was able to control the race that day and that is when he produces his best form, but it is tough to see him getting a soft lead in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. He is more than capable of running well, but it would be a surprise if he won.
Sovereign Nation
Sovereign Nation is another horse that will step-up in class following his dominant last start win at Flemington. He is a horse that is definitely heading in the right direction and he may be the pick of the three Lindsay Park-trained horses in this field.
Cannyescent
Cannyescent returns to Melbourne after he failed to fire in the Theo Marks Stakes. He is a horse that has been up for a long time and it is tough to back him off his last start effort.
Santa Ana Lane
Santa Ana Lane flashed home after the race was over in the Chandler Macleod Stakes and that is becoming an all-too common theme. He will get a long way back in the run and will need plenty of luck in running to be any chance.
Theanswermyfriend
Theanswermyfriend gets an opportunity at Group 1 level after he took out The Sofitel at Flemington in dominant fashion. The High Chaparral gelding fits the profile of a Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner and he deserves to be considered one of the leading contenders. Kerrin McEvoy is the perfect jockey for him and he goes into this race with an excellent chance.
So Si Bon
So Si Bon will be having his third start in as many weeks and that really isn’t the best preparation for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. He keeps catching the eye with these fast-finishing runs, but never really looks like winning. The inside barrier draw is not ideal and he is a horse that I am always happy to take on.
El Divino
El Divino is simply nowhere near as good as his famous half-sister Winx and he was very lacklustre in the Testa Rossa Stakes last weekend. He isn’t up to this level.
Attention
Attention hasn’t won a race for over a year and he is another horse that has never really shown that he is up to Group 1 level.
Mr Sneaky
Mr Sneaky returned to the races with an excellent win at Caulfield and he was not disgraced when he chased home Theanswermyfriend in The Softel. He would need to produce a career best performance to have any chance in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, but that is not out of the realms of possibility.
Royal Tudor
Royal Turdor was outclassed in the Testa Rossa Stakes and he is another horse that isn’t up to this level.
Land Of Plenty
Land Of Plenty was excellent in the Bobbie Lewis Quality and he is a horse that does have a lot of potential. The step-up to 1400 metres will suit and if he earns a start it really would not surprise to see him run a big race.