The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) returns to its traditional timeslot this year and has drawn a deep and competitive entry.
C.F. Orr Stakes winner Another Wil is set to carry topweight of 59kg alongside Royal Patronage, with both rated 114. Hot prospect Angel Capital secured his place with a ratings boost to 103 after his Chautauqua Stakes win, landing him 1.5kg above the minimum.
Michael Dee takes the ride on New Zealand mare Damask Rose, while Beau Mertens partners Miss Roumbini. Lindsay Park could have as many as four runners with Here To Shock, Evaporate, Arkansaw Kid and Cafe Millennium all in the mix.
Sepals, one of the early favourites, faces the risk of missing a start with a rating of 98 and only 16 spots available.
Other key nominations include Pinstriped, Desert Lightning, Feroce, Lazzura, Abounding, Jennilala and Zou Sensation, setting up a wide-open renewal of the Group 1 handicap.
Likely Field for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Another Wil | C Maher | J Melham |
| 2 | Royal Patronage | G Waterhouse & A Bott | |
| 3 | Here To Shock | B, W & JD Hayes | |
| 4 | Arkansaw Kid | B, W & JD Hayes | |
| 5 | Desert Lightning | P Moody & K Coleman | |
| 6 | Pinstriped | E Jusufovic | |
| 7 | Feroce | D Sutton | |
| 8 | Lazzura | C Waller | |
| 9 | Evaporate | B, W & JD Hayes | |
| 10 | Abounding | R Heathcote | |
| 11 | Damask Rose | M Walker | M Dee |
| 12 | Angel Capital | C Waller | D Lane |
| 13 | Cafe Millennium | B, W & JD Hayes | C Gaudray |
| 14 | Is It Me | D Bowman | P Moloney |
| 15 | Another Prophet | C Maher | D Bates |
| 16 | Jennilala | G Bedggood | H Coffey |
| 17 | Miss Roumbini | M Price & M Kent Jnr | B Mertens |
| 18 | Chorlton Lane | C Maher | |
| 19 | Sepals | C Brown | C Williams |
| 20 | Zou Sensation | L & T Corstens & W Larkin |