Bon Aurum is on top of the 2016 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes tips of Daniel O’Sullivan and the leading form analyst believes that the in-form galloper is outstanding value in the Group 1 event at Caulfield this afternoon.
Bon Aurum is one of the leading contenders in the 2016 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Bon Aurum returned to the races with a credible third place finish behind Lord Barrington at Caulfield on August 27 and he produced the best performance of his career to date in the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington
O’Sullivan told Racing Active that Bon Aurum’s last start effort was superior to the last start performance of any other horse in the 2016 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes field and he is confident that the four-year-old will be right in the finish.
“It was a very good win last start,” O’Sullivan said.
“It was a slowly run 1400 at Flemington, but the quality of his sectionals really showed up as a great performance.
“It was a clear new career peak for him and I have a lot of respect for Ciaron Maher’s ability to get his horses to maintain or even improve their form the deeper they get into a preparation.
“That is a particularly good sign for Bon Aurum to run well at that level again here or to go to another new peak.
“He comes in with the best last-star rating in the race – he is slightly ahead of Counterattack.
“His previous career peak actually came at this meeting last year when he won the Caulfield Guineas Prelude and that was a high-pressure fast-run race.
“At around the $6.50 mark he actually represents the best value in the race and along with Counterattack is firmly entrenched there as the top two winning chances in the race.”
Voodoo Lad opened as favourite in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes betting market with Ladbrokes before the money came for Counterattack, but O’Sullivan is keen to oppose the last start winner and he believes that the four-year-old is well under the odds at his current price.
“He comes into this race off two wins and he is clearly flying, but his level is below what will be needed here,” O’Sullivan said.
“He is about a length off and I have to oppose him in this race at the price.
“He is certainly capable of winning if he gets the right trip, but at $4.60 I am looking for a horse that has already established itself at the level that will be needed to win this race.
“He still needs to find another new peak, which is not impossible for a Darren Weir horse in a Group 1 race.
“On exposed form he is well under the odds and to be honest I expect him to drift.”
Counterattack is currently available at 2016 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes odds of $3.30 with Ladbrokes and he is a clear favourite from Voodoo Lad ($4.80), Bon Aurum ($5.50), Tivaci ($8.50) and Xtravagant ($9.50).
