Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy will play a double hand in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes with Toorak Toff and Pinnacles.
Hore-Lacy said Toorak Toff had trained on strongly from his first-up fifth in the Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington and had been set for Saturday’s Group One feature at Caulfield.
“I’m happy with him and he’s certainly come on from his first up run,” Hore-Lacy said.
Toorak Toff challenged strongly the last 100 metres in the Lewis and was only beaten a length after he raced close to the lead throughout.
Lone Rock stormed home to win out wide from Bel Sprinter and Danzylum but Hore-Lacy believes Toorak Toff may have got even closer had he not seen so much daylight in the run.
“He would have been better drawn in the middle of the line (instead of barrier five) where he could have sat off the leaders and come home,” Hore-Lacy said.
Craig Williams rode Toorak Toff in the Lewis and will ride him again on Saturday.
Hore-Lacy said Pinnacles was racing well but still expected him to be at generous odds on Saturday.
“He is going super but he is going to be a 20 or 30-1 chance I would think,” Hore-Lacy said.
“We haven’t had any problems with him this time in and he has shown in the past he is up to this class.
“He can run a big race at odds and he did finish third in a Doncaster (at $61).”
Two starts ago Pinnacles won his first race in 14 months beating Rightfully Yours at Caulfield and on Saturday he just failed to run down Utah Saints at the same track.
The Rupert Clarke Stakes has attracted 28 entries and the race promises to be a remarkably hot contest with three-year-olds Smart Missile, Golden Archer and Kneeling adding intrigue to the event.
Peter Moody has also entered Golden Archer’s older stablemates Doubtful Jack, Luen Yat Forever and Testascana while Kneeling’s stablemates Moment In Time and Gathering are also nominated.
Hong Kong visitor Silver Grecian makes his Australian debut in the Clarke while Rob Heathcote is looking to improve on last year’s third place with Woorim who returned to winning form last start at Moonee Valley.
Exciting four-year-old Blackie was an eye-catching second to Woorim and adds interest the race along with 2010 Emirates Stakes runner-up Dao Dao and last start Theo Marks winner Master Of Design.
Three-time Group One winner Yosei looks suited over 1400 metres in the Clarke while Peter Snowden-trained stablemates Parables and Pinwheel are among other leading hopes.
AAP TURF
