A near capacity field has been assembled for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) this Saturday at Caulfield.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Speed Map
Buffalo River loves to roll on speed and Celine Gaudray has got the key to him it seems so he will be your leader. The likes of Bandersnatch, I Am Me and General Beau will likely be forwardly placed but the tempo should be genuine.
2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Vilana: He is the class of the field and I thought his run was full of merit at Flemington last time given he was four wide the trip. Maps to get a much better run in transit and if the breaks go his way, he’s going well enough to take this out for sure.
2. I Am Me: IMO, she is a hole in the market. 1400m at this level, IMO, is a bridge too far for her and to me it looks like connections are desperate to get a Group l win with her. She’ll be chasing Buffalo River from the outset and I think she’ll be gassed late. Keen to risk her.
3. Strait Acer: I think Cup Week proved that you can’t have multiple Grand Finals or go into races as an afterthought. This is an afterthought for this horse. His run in the Golden Eagle was incredible, but he’s been up a long time and yes, ideal map, gun jockey…but he’s too short IMO.
4. Bandersnatch: Bandersnatch looks the map horse to my eye. He ran in the same Flemington race that Munhamek contested when wide no cover on speed and fought on bravely after the work he did in the run, finishing a narrow second to Cause For Concern. Maps to get a much better run in transit and with weight relief, is one of the key chances.
5. Skew Wiff: This mare looks a big price. Forgive the run at Caulfield when luckless and off a set back. Went to Flemington, got a peach from Bosson and was too good. Should be able to get cover from the gate and her best from NZ is good enough to give this a shake.
6. The Inferno: Cliff Brown has been trying to get this horse to be a sprinter, but I think his best efforts in Singapore were at 1400m-1600m. This is the first time since arriving he will race at 1400m. His two runs back have been super, he’ll appreciate a strong tempo…but he’s burned too many holes in my pocket to back him.
7. Ayrton: Is he back? Just a win first up here before going to Flemington where he got a mile out of his ground but he was a real eye catcher late in the piece behind Cause For Concern. He’ll love getting to 1400m at Caulfield again and maps much better. Knockout hope.
8. Zoutori: His best days are behind him. Pass.
9. Buffalo River: He is the leader and Celine seems to really click with him. Loved the way he has gone about it since she has taken over the riding and while he will give a sight, the end of 1400m at this level has to be a genuine query.
10. Chain Of Lighting: Dangerous mare this. Got run off her legs at Flemington but was just warming to the task nicely late. Much better suited at 1400m around a bend, proven track/distance performer and has upside.
11. Magic Time: Magic Time is three weeks between runs for Grahame Begg since contesting The Invitation at Randwick where she was wide no cover throughout yet kept on and looked like she would get the win but was nabbed late by a quality mare, Espiona, who ran super last Saturday in the Champions Sprint so the form reads super and if she holds her form, she’ll take beating.
12. Munhamek: Munhamek looks cherry ripe for this race. He resumed two weeks ago at Flemington at this trip where it could have ended up being a 12/10 from Shinn from the wide gate but unfortunately he didn’t get the splits until very late in a great return. He’s been set for the race, he loves racing at Caulfield, sits off a good speed…he only runs well for mine.
13. Cause For Concern: IMO, he’s way too short. Yes, he beat Munhamek at Flemington, but that horse had no luck while the breaks went the way of this horse and he was able to win. He has been up forever but seems to be racing so well and Kah sticks. One for exotics.
14. General Beau: Solid winner down the straight at Flemington last time but he’s not a 1400m horse.
15. Crosshaven: Aided by a fast tempo in the Rising Fast and surged hard late to just miss. Similar set up here you’d think and right down in the weights, fitter, up to 1400m, he gets every chance to run well. But for mine, he’s too hard to trust.
16. Wrote To Arataki: Ripping mare but I don’t think she is up to this level.
17. Not An Option (First Emergency): Jury is out on how well he is going. Pass.
18. Military Expert (Second Emergency): Extensive trial work to get ready so the grounding is there but he doesn’t have the class/quality.
19. Umgawa (Third Emergency): Flying this horse but is eligible for much easier.
2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Munhamek (Tote/SP)
Group l Strategy Outlay: $2600
Group l Strategy Return: $2830
2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Odds:
