Key facts on G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES
1400m, $500,000, handicap at Caulfield
HISTORY
* First run in 1951 when won by Jovial Lad
* Run as an invitational race from 1951 to 1974 for invited jockeys
* Group One from 1979
NOTABLE WINNERS
* Cap d’Antibes (1975); Torbek (1980); Magari (1982); Canny Lass (1986); Mannerism (1992); Poetic King (1994); Encosta De Lago (1996); Testa Rossa (1999-2000); Exceed And Excel (2003)
TALKING POINTS
* The race has an international visitor with the Charlie Appleby-trained last-start Dubai Group One winner Jungle Cat the top weight and will be ridden by James Doyle
* Jockey Craig Williams could equal Damien Oliver’s record of six wins in the race when he rides one of the leading contenders Osborne Bulls
* The now Singapore-based Lee Freedman holds the trainers’ record with four wins. His brother Anthony is aiming for his second-straight win this year with Mr Sneaky after Santa Ana Lane’s 2017 victory
* Trainer Darren Weir won the race is consecutive years in 2014 (Trust In a Gust) and 2015 (Stratum Star) and has Land Of Plenty, Peaceful State and second emergency Ozi Choice
* Jockey Dean Yendall won on Santa Ana Lane last year and rides Peaceful State this year
WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING:
“We’ve had this race in mind for him for some time, and he’s well-prepared for it” – Jungle Cat’s trainer Charlie Appleby
“He took a few big scalps in the Theo Marks, so he deserves the chance to perform at Group One level” – Home Of The Brave’s trainer James Cummings
“She’s flying. I’ve never had her better” – Oregon’s Day’s trainer Mick Price
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