The Cliff Brown-trained Sepals has broken through for his first Group 1 win, taking out the $1 million Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
2025 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Sepals was strong taking out his first Group 1 win. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The progressive four-year-old was too strong for his rivals in the 1400m feature, putting three-quarters of a length on the runner-up Miss Roumbini, with Feroce finishing third.
In a powerful performance, Sepals ($3.50) secured his fifth win from just seven career starts.
The victory was a huge result for trainer Brown and his team.
“Very happy. I’m really pleased for everyone. Jo and the kids and the staff, they’re amazing,” Brown told Racing Victoria.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into them. He’s a special horse and he deserves the attention that he gets.”
Jockey Craig Williams produced another masterful ride, securing a Group 1 double on the day after his earlier win in the Underwood Stakes on Sir Delius.
Williams, who now has an incredible eight Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes victories, was full of praise for the horse.
“I had the right horse presented by the horse’s trainer, Cliff Brown and all his staff,” he said.
“From an outside barrier this horse made effortless work of it, and I could do what I wanted on him because he was very well-prepared and he’s a bloody good horse too.”
Williams also noted the horse’s untapped potential.
“It’s hard to win Group 1s and he’s done it and that’s not it for this horse; he’s got more to come. He’s just got such a good action, he’s got a great motor, and I was very fortunate to ride him today.”
Following the win, Brown said the Group 1 $1 million Toorak Handicap on October 11 could be the next target for his star galloper.
“It could be, but I’ll see what the boys want to do,” he said.
“It’s very special.”
The last horse to complete the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – Toorak Handicap double was Trust In A Gust in 2014.
Sepals has firmed from $15 into $4 for the Toorak Handicap at Ladbrokes and is now equal favourite with Angel Capital, who finished fourth as the beaten favourite in the Sir Rupert.
Sadly, the race was not without drama, with the Ciaron Maher-trained Chorlton Lane breaking down on the home straight and having to be euthanised.
“It’s awful what happened to the other horse,” Brown acknowledged.
“For those kids and that stable it will be a hard night, and my thoughts are with them.”
2025 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | SEPALS | Cliff Brown | Craig Williams | 14 | 52kg | $3.50 | |||
| 2 | 15 | MISS ROUMBINI | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Beau Mertens | 0.75L | 13 | 52kg | $14 | ||
| 3 | 6 | FEROCE (NZ) | Dominic Sutton | Billy Egan | 1.1L | 10 | 56kg | $31 | ||
| 4 | 9 | ANGEL CAPITAL | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 1.3L | 12 | 53.5kg | $2.90F | ||
| 5 | 3 | PINSTRIPED | Enver Jusufovic | Jamie Mott | 2.3L | 5 | 56.5kg | $81 | ||
| 6 | 17e | ZOU SENSATION | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | Luke Currie | 2.4L | 4 | 52kg | $31 | ||
| 7 | 10 | DAMASK ROSE (NZ) | Mark Walker | Michael Dee | 2.65L | 15 | 52kg | $21 | ||
| 8 | 13 | JENNILALA | Gavin Bedggood | Harry Coffey | 2.95L | 2 | 52kg | $91 | ||
| 9 | 2 | HERE TO SHOCK (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Daniel Stackhouse | 3.7L | 6 | 58kg | $31 | ||
| 10 | 5 | ARKANSAW KID | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Blake Shinn | 4.1L | 1 | 56kg | $11 | ||
| 11 | 8 | PORT LOCKROY | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Jye McNeil | 5.35L | 3 | 54.5kg | $101 | ||
| 12 | 12 | IS IT ME | Daniel Bowman | Patrick Moloney | 5.6L | 8 | 52kg | $41 | ||
| 13 | 1 | ANOTHER WIL | Ciaron Maher | Ms Jamie Melham | 8.35L | 7 | 59kg | $8.50 | ||
| 14 | 7 | ZARASTRO | Tony Gollan | Ms Angela Jones | 11.85L | 11 | 56kg | $26 | ||
| LR | 14 | CHORLTON LANE (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Ms Celine Gaudray | 9 | 52kg | $26 | |||
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU?
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
