2026 SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES: Preview & Tips
2026 SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES DETAILS
DATE: Saturday September 19
VENUE: Flemington
DISTANCE: 1400m
CONDITIONS: G1 Handicap
PRIZE MONEY: $1 million
The stage is set for another thrilling chapter of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, as runners tackle the 1400m handicap test in pursuit of G1 honours and $1 million in prize money.
First run in 1951 and won by JOVIAL LAD, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has been a fixture over 1400m throughout its history. Originally known as the Invitation Stakes, the race underwent several name changes before adopting its current title in honour of Sir Rupert Clarke. A Principal Race for much of its existence, the Sir Rupert Clarke was elevated to G1 status in 1979.
Notable winners of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes include MAGIC TIME (2023), SANTA ANA LANE (2017), STRATUM STAR (2015), REBEL DANE (2013), TESTA ROSSA (1999, 2000), and MANIKATO (1978)
Remarkably, ST JOEL achieved what no other horse has managed in the Sir Rupert Clarke, winning the race three times, with each victory coming exactly three years apart in 1953, 1956 and 1959.
R9 SPORTSBET SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES -1400M
1 17X0 TOM KITTEN Mark Zahra (14) $26
2 9X31 EVAPORATE Blake Shinn (17) $8.50
3 702X SEPALS Ethan Brown (5) $11
4 30X3 WAR MACHINE Damian Lane (18) $16
5 6X30 ANGEL CAPITAL Ben Melham (7) $8
6 42X4 LADY SHENANDOAH Craig Williams (1) $4.80
7 0841 WARNIE Declan Bates (3) $10
8 72X5 FEROCE Billy Egan (8) $21
9 103X VON HAUKE Harry Coffey (6) $41
10 26X7 PLANET RED Michael Dee (10) $23
11 44X0 SABAJ Jamie Melham (13) $19
12 3X27 YELLOW JERSEY Daniel Stackhouse (16) $16
13 517X REGAL AWARD Lachlan Neindorf (4) $7.50
14 X121 SUN GOD Jye McNeil (2) $26
15 8X24 PERSIAN SPIRIT Damien Thornton (9) $26
16 0X60 RECON Patrick Moloney (12) $67
17 34X5 HARRY'S YACHT Jett Stanley (15) $41
18 1122 TENNESSEE BOUND (11) $20
WHO'S HOT? — TRAINER/JOCKEY CHAT
The Jockeys and Trainers engaged in this year’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes are arriving in exceptional form.
Jett Stanley, who rides HARRY’S YACHT, typically performs 4% below market expectations but has surged to an impressive 43% above expectations across his last 100 rides. Likewise, Ethan Brown, aboard defending champion SEPALS, has elevated his already strong record, currently outperforming market expectations by 34% from his last 100 rides compared to his usual 12%.
Among the Trainers, Ciaron Maher, continues to produce elite results, currently exceeding market expectations by 29% with his last 100 runners compared to his typical 1%, and will saddle up both WARNIE and TENNESSEE BOUND as he looks to add another major success to his resume.
PAST WINNERS & TRENDS SINCE 1991 |
 |
SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES TRENDS, STATISTICS + FAVOURITES RECORD
The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has long been a race where punters can find value, particularly when siding with the Favourite. Since 1991, Favourites have won 11 editions of the race, including 3 of the last 7, and a $100 investment on every Favourite since 1991 would have returned a remarkable profit of $1,215.
Yet when Favourites are beaten, the race often delivers a surprise, with 6 of the last 7 non-Favourite winners scoring at double-digit odds between $11 and $26. Wide barriers have also proven far from a disadvantage, with 16 winners over the past 35 years jumping from Barriers 10 to 18, including 3 of the last 4 winners from gates 10 to 14. In fact, only one winner in the past 18 years, BEGOOD TOYA MOTHER in 2019, has won from an inside gate.
This pattern is reflected in running styles, with many winners settling midfield rather than on speed. Weight trends favour lighter runners, as 8 of the last 12 winners carried 53.5kg or less, while 4YOs continue to dominate, winning 10 of the last 16 editions, including the last 3.Mares have also enjoyed a resurgence with 3 wins from the last 5 runnings, while recent winners have often emerged through the Memsie Stakes despite failing to place at their previous start.
Adding to the race's quirks, Saddlecloth 2 remain winless in the past 35 years.
WHAT HISTORY SAYS WINS
✓ Value runner
✓ Wide barrier
✓ Midfield
✓ 53.5kg or less
✓ 4YO
✕ Inside gate
✕ Numbers 2
2026 BEST FIT: #10 PLANET RED $23
PLANET RED looks tremendous value at double-digit odds and looks primed to go one better after his outstanding second to OBSERVER over 1400m last year. The 4YO profile is a major advantage in this race, and with an ideal racing weight of just 53.5kg, he gets every opportunity to produce a peak performance. Drawn in Barrier 10, he should enjoy a perfect midfield run with cover before unleashing his finish at the right time. PLANET RED appears to have all the ingredients to turn this race into a G1 victory.
Want access to FREE G1 Form Guides like this every week? → JOIN FREE
NIC ASHMAN'S SPEED MAP & ANALYSIS
"FAST tempo expected. Of the on-pacers, EVAPORATE is best equipped for some argy-bargy up front. ANGEL CAPITAL was most unlucky in this race last year - story of his life but expect Melham to weave thru the ruck up the straight. TOM KITTEN has some big numbers this track and distance. Has the weight to match but should get cover off rail and that looks perfect for him. SUN GOD won his past two fresh and champion stable come here first-up. Interesting. Specking the roughies each-way."
$30EW TOM KITTEN $26
$20EW SUN GOD $26
PODCAST: Feature meeting Track Report + best bets → LISTEN HERE
WANT THE FULL TBF EDGE? |
Works Burger members get everything we produce each week: |
✓ Deeper G1 analysis |
✓ Every Metro Track Report in Australia |
✓ TBF Pub Sheet |
✓ Bet Sheets & Review sheets |
✓ Nic Ashman's tips |
7 DAY FREE TRIAL |
2025 SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES RESULT
1ST SEPALS $3.50
2ND MISS ROUMBINI $13
3RD FEROCE $30
GET THE TRACK REPORTS + BET SHEETS FOR EVERY METRO TRACK THIS SATURDAY VIA THE FREE TRIAL BELOW
Comments