The 2015 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes nominations have been released and a big list of 27 horses have been included in the initial entries for the Group 1 event.
Amicus will have the chance to record a second Group 1 victory in the 2015 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield this weekend. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has included Catkins, Amicus and Strawberry Boy in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes nominations, but he is yet to decide which of the three horses will actually run in the $400,000 race.
Amicus started her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a fast-finishing win in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) at Royal Randwick on August 22 and she upstaged a number of talented mares to take out the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 12.
The Thousand Guineas winner will return to the scene of her biggest win in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, but Waller will wait until the weights are released before he decides whether she is joined by Catkins or Strawberry Boy.
Another stable that could have multiple runners in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes field is Lindsay Park, who have included Fast ‘N’ Rocking, Gregers and Petrology in the nominations.
Fast ‘N’ Rocking has performed fairly without finishing in the placings in his two race starts during his spring campaign, but he is set to receive plenty of weight relief in the Sir Rupert Clark Stakes, while Gregers returned to a semblance of her best form with a third place finish behind Churchill Dancer in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 12.
Petrology has not been seen at the races since he finished ninth in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29 and he is another that will drop significantly in weight for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir won the 2014 edition of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes with Trust In A Gust and he is set to have two excellent chances in this year’s race after including both Lucky Hussler and Stratum Star in the nominations.
Lucky Hussler recorded his maiden win at Group 1 level when he took out the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) and he returned to racing with a more than credible fourth in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 12, while Stratum Star was only narrowly denied by Boban and Entirely Platinum in the Memsie Stakes.
There is sure to be a capacity field for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Abidewithme, Akavoroun, Amorino, Bull Point, Charmed Harmony, Chivalry, Cosmic Endeavour, Disposition, Hopfgarten, Leebaz, Moonovermanhattan, Ninth Legion, October Date, Petrology, Pressing, Rich Enuff, Under The Louvre, We’re Gonna Rock, Worthy Cause and Yesterday’s Song remain in contention to run in the Group 1 event.
