The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes will always be a special race for Wendy Kelly thanks to the success of Bon Hoffa in the Group One sprint eight years ago.
And the trainer is hoping to have another contender in the race this spring after the encouraging comeback performance from Late Charge in the Regal Roller Stakes.
Kelly won her first Group One of her training career with former stable star Bon Hoffa in the 2007 Sir Rupert Clarke at Caulfield.
The same horse finished second in the 1400m race a year later.
Late Charge was given his chance in the Rupert Clarke last year and finished sixth, three lengths behind the winner Trust In A Gust.
After finishing out of the money in the Toorak Handicap, Late Charge spent almost a year off the track after suffering grade three tears in his front tendons.
He made his return last Saturday week in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield.
The five-year-old ran home strongly from near the tail of the field to finish fourth in a performance which delighted his trainer.
“He ran an enormous race and pulled up really well,” Kelly said.
“He did a fabulous job.”
Kelly said either the Group Two Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) down the straight at Flemington or the Listed Sofitel Stakes (1400m) on the same program would be the next mission for Late Charge.
The Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) is two weeks later.
“Providing he runs well in either of those races, the Rupert Clarke will be his next run,” Kelly said.
