2019 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Day Preview

But It’s True has returned to the track in competitive form this time and is up to winning the first at a nice price. The Wendy Kelly-trained gelding recorded an impressive win at Ladbrokes Park two back and was far from disgraced when finishing within two lengths of the winner at The Valley last time out. I think he’s only going to improve fourth-up and out to 1800m.

2 Units But It’s True

Kiwi raider Long Jack will carry winning form into the second on Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Day and looks the one to beat again. The So You Think colt finished second at each of his first career starts when debuting earlier this year, before arriving in Victoria for an easy win at Ballarat. Trainer Murray Baker rarely misses when he brings horses to Australia and Long Jack can return the stable another winner.

3 Units Long Jack

I Am Immortal hasn’t been seen at the races since February, but he is a classy galloper and can make a winning return in the third on Saturday. The I Am Invincible colt won each of his first two career starts, both black type before ending his campaign a credible seventh in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond. He’s drawn well and with even luck, can fight out the finish.

2 Units I Am Immortal

Haut Brion Her is an above-average galloper and looks well placed to return to winning form in this race. The Zoustar mare has enjoyed an impressive rise through the grades since resuming and won each of her first three races, before finishing a close-up second at The Valley last time out. She’s rock-hard fit and will take a power of beating.

4 Units Haut Brion Her

Pippie has boasted good ability throughout her entire racing career but has returned to the track in particularly devastating form this time and can record a fourth win in succession in the Ladbrokes How Now Stakes. The Written Tycoon mare put away a fair field at Doomben with absolute ease first-up, before returning to Melbourne for consecutive wins in a BM78 sprint and the Cockram Stakes. I cannot find a reason why she can’t win again, and she is my best bet of the day.

5 Units Pippie

Steel Prince will carry good improvement into the second start of his campaign and can win the Naturalism Stakes (MRC Foundation Cup) and gain ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup. The Nathaniel gelding found career-best form last time in and resumed this time with a credible performance to finish fourth in the Listed Heatherlie. The rise in trip is ideal and he looks over the odds at around the $8 mark.

2 Units E/W Steel Prince

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is typically one of the most open Group 1 contests of the Melbourne Spring Carnival and Saturday’s edition is no exception to the rule.

There is a case to be made for nearly all of the fifteen confirmed starters, but I’ll eager to have an each-play on Amphitrite at around the $8 mark, who is second-up. The Group 1 winner mustered an eye-catching turn of foot to run on from the tail of the field in the Cockram Stakes first-up and there is little doubt she’ll enjoy good improvement from the hit-out, while the small rise in trip will also suit. Willo can slot in behind a genuine early tempo and the horse can finish over the top of her rivals.

2 Units E/W Amphitrite

The penultimate race on Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Day is easily the most open from a betting perspective and at publish, we’re faced with $5 the field. I was reasonably keen on the chances of the second-up Kooweerup, but she has drawn barrier 15 and has been charged with lugging topweight, a while I do think that she remains a chance, I’m happy to watch this race with a view towards something later in the carnival.

No Bet

Plague Stone rarely runs a bad race and while he hasn’t been seen at the races since the Brisbane winter, he can make a winning return in the last on Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Day. The Lonhro gelding won the Listed Mick Dittman Plate when last first-up and a repeat of that performance would see him winning this race. He’s had a nice trial in the lead-up to this race and will take beating.

I’m also going to have a small saver on the John Price-trained William Thomas, who typically keeps his best racing for Caulfield.

2 Units Plague Stone

0.5 Units E/W William Thomas