The only Group 1 race for the weekend comes up in the Sixth race at Caulfield racecourse on Sunday it being the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400m. Peter Moody trained Moment Of Change opened as favourite but has continued to drift in the market. We’re Gonna Rock is on the second line of betting and has been solid with some small support also coming for Queensland galloper Solzhenitsyn. View our Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes tips and runner by runner preview.
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Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Form Guide
1. GLASS HARMONIUM
Winner of the G1 McKinnon Stakes last spring and returned for only two runs in the Autumn, his latest run in the Australian Cup in March. Has produced good efforts when kicking off his last three campaigns however, they’ve been over 1600m and 1800m. Fair to say, he’ll probably need this after seven months off.
Odds: $26.00
2. PINWHEEL
A 7yo Lonhro gelding who wouldn’t know how to bad race! Won his most recent two outings, the G3 Missile Stakes (1400m) and G2 Warwick Stakes and despite the awkward draw, will undoubtedly give a good account of himself.
Odds: $7.50
3. WE’RE GONNA ROCK
Lightly raced 6yo by Fastnet Rock who returned to racing as a gelding and was good in winning the G3 Bobbie Lewis beating Spirit of Boom (good at Randwick last weekend) and Veewap (won at Caulfield last weekend). Always shown ability and the decision to geld him over the break might see him reach his full potential.
Odds: $5.50
4. SECOND EFFORT
He has been in a purple patch. Since winning the P B Lawrence on a Heavy track three starts back, has been placed behind Sincero in the Memsie and good again in the Makybe Diva behind Southern Speed. The above events were all at WFA so won’t know himself with 54.5 today. Pity about the draw but still, he’s going very well for mine for a $21 shot.
Odds: $21.00
5. SMOKIN JOEY
Didn’t have any luck when resuming in the Bobbie Lewis at Flemington three weeks back and finished 8th (beaten 3.9) without being fully tested. Will get his chance today and has a great record at the track and distance. Creates plenty of interest at double figure odds ($15.00)
Odds: $15.00
6. SOLZHENITSYN
He won three on the trot over the Brisbane Winter carnival including the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m) at WFA. Prepared for this with a first up win over Bold Glance at Doomben three weeks back, Trainer has a good record in Melbourne and he has been very well supported in the early markets at $6.50.
Odds: $6.50
7. CENTENNIAL PARK
Thought he has had the chance to do better in his last couple of starts than what he has produced. These efforts were in the Warwick Stks, Chelmsford Stks and Theo Marks at WFA and gets in with a luxury weight of 52.5, a good draw and jockey. It might be worth giving him one more chance at the $19.00
Odds: $19.00
8. SHANGAI WARRIOR
Very good two starts back when running down Golden Archer in the Aurie’s Star at Flemington and stepped out favourite off the back of that win in the G3 Bobbie Lewis but never figured, finishing near last. Forgive that start and had a good hit out in a Cranbourne trial on Monday in readiness for this.
Odds: $11.00
9. MOMENT OF CHANGE
Has been good in both runs back this prep, winning first up in the Listed Show County and beaten less than a length in the Tramway Hcp at Warwick Farm. Has drawn very wide here and may have to do a bit of work from that gate in the run which makes me just a little shy of the early quote of $3.50.
Odds: $3.60
10. MR MAKE BELIEVE
He was very good off a lengthy break when running second to Golden Archer here at Caulfield and then just held his ground behind Sea Lord in the McLeod Stakes at Moonee Valley, finishing eighth (beaten 2.8). Will go forward but seems to save his best for the wet tracks and hard, without those conditions here, to see him holding off the challengers.
Odds: $19.00
11. STRIKE THE STARS
Was a leading chance in all of the big 3yo races during the autumn but just couldn’t quite crack it for that elusive second win. His only win from thirteen starts coming in the G2 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) He’ll get back from his inside draw and need longer to produce his best.
Odds: $21.00
12. THAT’S THE ONE
Very good first up in the McLeod Stakes at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago, finishing fourth (beaten 1.5) with little luck in running. Won the G3 C S Hayes second up last prep over this distance.
Odds: $11.00
13. INSTINCTION
Has had three runs in this prep, the best of them his first up effort when finishing third in the Listed Regal Roller. His two runs since, in the Bobbie Lewis and his latest, here at Caulfield last week, were below par and a win here would require a big turn around in form.
Odds: $51.00
14. MISTER MILTON
Has competed in four races this preparation including the G3 Bletchingly and G2 Memsie running fourth and fifth respectively but did expect a little more from him at his most recent start where he just held his ground behind Fawkner. Needs to find a few lengths to be in the mix here.
Odds: $41.00
15. BOMBALATOMBA
Put in a few efforts last prep that would’ve had his connections looking forward to him returning but from his four starts this time in, has failed to deliver anything of note not expecting him to find form in this race.
Odds: $101.00
OVERVIEW
Moment of Change is the early favourite at $3.50 but I’ll be looking further afield of him given that price and his wide draw. I’ll be sticking with We’re Gonna Rock at the better price of $5.50. Given his first up run and the post race analysis by his Trainer and Jockey, think there’s further improvement in him and should get a good run mid-field from nine. Can’t leave Pinwheel out of the equation, especially at good eachway odds of $7.00. Couple here at big odds for those looking to go wide in the multiples who are more than capable of producing runs – Second Effort ($21), Smokin’ Joey ($15)
