The field for today’s Group 1 $500,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield has been reduced to thirteen runners, with the scratchings of Under The Louvre, Charmed Harmony and Tycoon Tara.
Under The Louvre, above, has been scratched from the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.
The anticipated scratching of Under The Louvre was made official this morning after trainer Robert Smerdon had indicated late in the week that the six year old sprinter wouldn’t be taking his place in the field because of the 58kg and the wide barrier.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Tycoon Tara was withdrawn on Wednesday when the father and son training partnership decided to run her against the mares in the Group 2 $400,000 Ronald McDonald House Westmead Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill today.
Charmed Harmony joined the scratching list late on Friday afternoon after trainer John Sadler decided to miss today’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes after the flashy chestnut developed a breathing problem.
Sadler said that Charmed Harmony would have to undergo a wind operation and would be out of action for at least a month.
“It’s causing him a lot of breathing problems and he will have an operation on Monday,” Sadler told racing.com.
“Unfortunately it looks like he will be out for at least a month.”
“We will be cautious with him, but we are hopeful that he could even come back by the end of the Spring Carnival.”
The Chris Waller trained Counterattack remains the $3.30 favourite for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Darren Weir’s in-form Voodoo Lad at $4.80.
The Ciaron Maher trained Bon Aurum is next in the betting at $5.50 with the well supported Tivaci now marked at $8.50, firming in from $11.
The Caulfield track has been rated a Good 3 for today’s Underwood Stakes meeting and the rail is in the true position for the entire course.
Market order for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.30 Counterattack, $4.80 Voodoo Lad, $5.50 Bon Aurum, $8.50 Tivaci, $9.50 Xtravagant, $15 Thames Court, Mr Individual, $21 Fast ‘N’ Rocking, $26 Telopea, $31 Well Spring, $34 Badawiya, $51 Rangipo, $91 Jungle Edge.
