Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 2024

Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

Preview, Trends & Analysis

The Rundown

One of the hottest 1400-metre Group 1 handicap races in the nation takes place when the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield is run and won. 

Inaugurated in 1951, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was originally known as the Invitational Stakes and has had various name changes throughout its illustrious tenure as a mainstay on the Victorian racing calendar.

The race has been a catalyst for star horses in the spring carnival and used as a catapult towards miles races and beyond. 

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is opened for three-year-old horses and older at weight-for-age level and attracts some the fastest and most brilliant horses in Australia. 

Current reining champion Behemoth will line up in the race this year alongside South Australian compatriot Beau Rossa with both set to peak into the race and duel it out at the finish. 

Some absolutely stars of the turf made a name for themselves by winning the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. 

Manikato (1978), Torkbek (1980), Mannerism (1992), Encosta De Lago (1996) and Testa Rossa (1999, 2000) are some of the champions to have scored victory in this race prior to the turn of the century. 

Since then, Exceed and Excel (2003), Toorak Toff (2011), Stratum Star (2015), Santa Ana Lane (2017) and Begood Toya Mother (2019) are those horses to have stolen the headlines as winners of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. 

It is a race that required the fittest and strongest of horses to get that economical run who usually end up winning. 

The starting position is at the back of the course and takes an immediate left hand turn within 100-metres of the starting position as they trek up the hill. 

The early sharp turn combined with the short run into the final bend makes the Sir Rupert Clark one of the most testing 1400-metre races in the spring carnival. 

The Famous Winners and Record Results

Testa Rossa is arguably the the most famous horse to have won this race as he achieved the double through 1999 and 2000. 

He is one of only three horses since the inception of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes to have won the race twice. 

Tauto (1970, 1971) and Anonyme (1961, 1962) are the other two. 

But the record for wins in the Sir Rupert Clarke belongs to St. Joel (1953, 1956, 1959) who won the race three times in his career. 

Champion thoroughbred Manikato scored victory in 1979 to prove to punters his ability to sprint and get beyond that 1200-metre range he was so famously domintant in. 

The race has born fruit to star sires with Testa Rossa and Exceed and Excel going on to have great success outside the races in the breeding barn. 

Behemoth (2020) is the current champion of the race after producing a barnstorming finish to run over the top of his rivals despite having to carry 60kgs.  

The Statistics

The Recent Winners

Year  

Winner 

Trainer 

Jockey 

Odds 

2022

Callsign Mav

Danny O’brien

Jamie Mott

$15.8

2021 

Sierra Sue

Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

Daniel Moor

$12

2020 

Behemoth

David Jolly

Craig Williams

$3

2019 

Begood Toya Mother

Daniel Bowman 

Declan Bates

$2.9

2018 

Jungle Cat

Charlie Appleby

James Doyle

$9

2017 

Santa Ana Lane

Anthony Freedman

Dean Yendall

$21 

2016 

Bon Aurum 

Ciaron Maher

Kerrin McEvoy

$6

2015 

Stratum Star

Darren Weir

Craig Williams

$5.5

2014 

Trust In A Gust

Darren Weir

Damian Lane

$4 

2013 

Rebel Dane

Gary Portelli

Glen Boss

$3

2012 

Moment of Change

Peter Moody

Luke Nolen

$2.7 

2011 

Toorak Toff

Rick Hore-Lacy

Craig Williams

$8

2010 

Response

Craig Williams

Matthew Ellerton & Simon Zahra

$4.8

The Questions

When is the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes held?

The race will be run and won on the 18th of September, 2021 at Caulfield racecourse.

Are there any other races on the day?
  • Yes.
  • The running of Caulfield Guineas Prelude and the Thousand Guineas Prelude over 1400 metres are both run and won. 
  • The meeting is also backed up by the Naturalism Stakes (2000 metres) and the How Now Stakes (1200 metres)
How do I bet on the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes?
  • Punch in betdeluxe.com.au to your browser and find your home for all your different types of ways to bet not only on Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Day but every race across Australia on the day.
Where do the winners and runners of the Sir Rupert Clarkes Stakes race next?

The winner and runners in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes generally head towards the big mile in the spring. 

Some of those mile races will include the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield as well as the Caulfield Guineas should a three-year-old opt to use the Sir Rupert Clarke as a springboard. 

The Cantala Stakes at Flemington is also an option.

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