Trainer Cliff Brown looks to have a high-class galloper on his hands after Sepals overcame adversity to win the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.
Drawing a wide barrier, Sepals stumbled coming out of the gates before jockey Craig Williams urged the gelding forward to sit second in the 1400m contest on Saturday.
Making use of his light weight, Williams kicked Sepals ($3.50) clear on straightening before holding off a charging Miss Rolumbini to score by three-quarters-of-a-length with Feroce ($31) a long neck away third. The time of 1 min 21.39 secs was just 0.19 outside of the course record.
Brown was a multiple Group 1 winning trainer before heading to Singapore in 2007 where he established himself as a big race winning trainer. Returning to Australia in 2021, Brown just missed taking out the Group 1 Manikato Stakes with The Inferno that year.
Group 1 races have been limited since for Brown, and Sepals was aimed at Saturday’s race after his scintillating victory over 1400m at Caulfield on August 30.
Saturday’s victory certainly made amends for the defeat of Tarnpir Lane in Saturday’s race back in 1997 with that horse going on to run second to Iron Horse in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick at his next start.
Sepals has a nomination in this year’s Epsom Handicap and Brown said there are no plans in store as to where the gelding would head next.
“I’ll see what the boys want to do, but this is very special,” Brown said.
“I’m really pleased for everyone. (Wife) Jo and the kids and the staff, they’re amazing. There’s a lot of work that goes into these horses. He’s a special horse and he deserves the attention that he gets.”
Brown acknowledged how difficult it was to win at Group 1 level, citing good friend Nick Turnbull who has been trying to win at the highest level for 30 years.
“To win this race, it’s tremendous,” Brown said. “These are races I grew up with as a kid and that was a long time ago. To win it, it’s very special.”
Brown said he was surprised to see Sepals pushed by Williams to take a forward position.
“It was quite interesting,” Brown said. “He came out and said I will just let him find his feet. That went out the window, but that’s what he does, and that’s why you put the best on. He’s done a great job.”
Williams said he was impressed with Sepals’ performance, adding there are bigger wins in store.
“It’s hard to win Group 1s and he’s done it and that’s not it for this horse. He’s got more to come,” Williams said. “He’s got such a good action, he’s got a great motor, and I was very fortunate to ride him today.”
