One of the feature races on Saturday’s Caulfield card is the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), with the betting suggesting a wide-open contest.
Below we assess the likely speed map, preview every runner in the field and provide our $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
2026 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Tom Kitten: Tom Kitten is three weeks between runs since resuming in the Memsie where he got back in the run and did make up some headway but was never a factor, with Beiwacht dominating from the front. Fitter, he has class…not dismissing him.
2. Evaporate: Did what he had to do in a weak Sandown race. I think he can slide across and land on speed, run well…but does he have the killer Group l blow? I think not.
3. Sepals: Defending champ who looks to have jumped out well for the return and has a kind map…dangerous but watch betting.
4. War Machine: Thought he was poor when third to Oliveanotherday, albeit held up and wasn’t beaten far, but I can’t have him.
5. Angel Capital: He gets his chance to win a Group l on paper…but also on paper is the fact it is Angel Capital and he is a complete milk drinker. Fresh 1200m is his go in life IMO, and even then, he’s a risk.
6. Lady Shenandoah: Lady Shenandoah commands serious respect here. She resumed in the Winx Stakes and while she was never threatening Autumn Glow, I really liked the way she stuck on in defeat. She hasn’t raced in a race as easy as this in a long time…think she’s terribly hard to beat.
7. Warnie: Lot to like about his win last Wednesday at Sandown…just think he’s really poorly weighted for a horse with his record.
8. Feroce: He was fair in the PB Lawrence and will land in a good spot but he’s very unreliable I suspect.
9. Von Hauke: Talented but not up to these.
10. Planet Red: Plain return in the Memsie and while he’s better suited in a handicap, I am happy to let him go through.
11. Sabaj: Honestly…what are they doing with this horse? Why is he staying at 1400m? Best horse in the race but he wants more ground.
12. Yellow Jersey: He looks a tired horse and even back to 1400m won’t help him I suspect.
13. Regal Award: I think he’s dangerous this horse. Just first up at 1400m is the knock, but will get a soft run from near the speed and will be effective late.
14. Sun God: Sun God will launch late. He is a good horse for Chris Waller that is first up. Light Winter in Brisbane but won two of three and looked a Carnival contender for the Spring. He will spot them a start I dare say but be very strong at the end.
15. Persian Spirit: Persian Spirit is the each way speck for me here. Yes, he was held last Wednesday, but the track was shifty and I just don’t think he was entirely happy. He is right down in the weights, he’ll be strong late and you’re getting a good price.
16. Recon: Looks outclassed.
17. Harry’s Yacht (First Emergency): SCR
18. Tennessee Bound (Second Emergency): SCR
2026 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Persian Spirit
Group l Strategy Outlay: $400
Group l Strategy Return: $190
2026 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Speed Map
If she gets a run, Tennessee Bound looks the likely leader. If not, Evaporate and Yellow Jersey can press forward, maybe giving War Machine the drag over? Sepals and Feroce could settle handy, likewise Regal Award.
Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TOM KITTEN | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Mark Zahra | 14 | 59kg |
| 2 | EVAPORATE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Blake Shinn | 17 | 56.5kg |
| 3 | SEPALS | Cliff Brown | Ethan Brown | 5 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | WAR MACHINE (NZ) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Damian Lane | 18 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | ANGEL CAPITAL | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 7 | 56kg |
| 6 | LADY SHENANDOAH | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 1 | 56kg |
| 7 | WARNIE (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 3 | 55kg |
| 8 | FEROCE (NZ) | Dominic Sutton | Billy Egan | 8 | 54.5kg |
| 9 | VON HAUKE (NZ) | Cliff Brown | Harry Coffey | 6 | 54.5kg |
| 10 | PLANET RED | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Michael Dee | 10 | 53.5kg |
| 11 | SABAJ | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Ms Jamie Melham | 13 | 53kg |
| 12 | YELLOW JERSEY (FR) | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Daniel Stackhouse | 16 | 53kg |
| 13 | REGAL AWARD | Phillip & Tommy Stokes | Lachlan Neindorf | 4 | 52.5kg |
| 14 | SUN GOD (GB) | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 2 | 52.5kg |
| 15 | PERSIAN SPIRIT | Symon Wilde | Damien Thornton | 9 | 52kg |
| 16 | RECON | Pat Carey & Harris Walker | Patrick Moloney | 12 | 52kg |
Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Odds
