Maher pair draw perfectly for Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
The $1 million Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) is the second of two Group 1 features at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with a field of 15 set to step out in the classic handicap.
The Ciaron Maher-trained pair of Jimmysstar and Another Wil can’t be split at the top of betting, with horse racing bookmakers installing the pair at $4 apiece, allowing punters to decide who should start favourite on Saturday.
It was Another Wil who got the upper hand in the Group 2 Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington on Derby Day, with Jamie Kah steering the son of Street Boss to an emotional victory.
Another Wil was a late withdrawal from the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) last Saturday and should get every chance to justify the decision after drawing gate five.
Jimmysstar gets the opportunity to turn the tables heading back to his favoured Caulfield circuit, where the five-year-old gelding is undefeated in three starts.
Damien Lane is set to be legged aboard from stall one and gets a 1.5kg swing in the weights on his key rival and stable companion.
With the pair firmly in the market, there are plenty of options for value players, with the multiple Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon leading the chances at $10.00 with Neds.
The son of Written Tycoon will need to lug the top weight of 58kg to victory and gains the services of Mark Zahra from stall 13.
The Phillip Stokes-trained Climbing Star ($11.00) returns to Melbourne after contesting the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 19 and appears set to peak third-up into the campaign.
Meanwhile, the likes of War Machine ($14.00) and three-year-old contender Bittercreek ($34.00) are sure to garner plenty of support at the each-way odds with Playup.
The 2024 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is the penultimate race on the Caulfield program and is scheduled to get underway at 5:05pm local time.
2024 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Final Field
1. Southport Tycoon (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Mark Zahra
- W: 58kg
- F: 9315x
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Written Tycoon
- Dam: Ready to Rule (USA)
2. Private Eye (14)
- T: Joseph Pride
- J: N/A
- W: 57.5kg
- F: 5664x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Al Maher
- Dam: Confidential Queen
3. Tuvalu (16)
- T: Lindsey Smith
- J: Ethan Brown
- W: 57kg
- F: x1x03
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Kermadec (NZ)
- Dam: Hangin’ Tough
4. Another Wil (5)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 56kg
- F: 1711x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Street Boss (USA)
- Dam: Arohanui
5. Gentleman Roy (9)
- T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes
- J: Luke Nolen
- W: 55.5kg
- F: 63111
- Age: 8YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: So You Think (NZ)
- Dam: La La Land
6. Climbing Star (6)
- T: Phillip Stokes
- J: Daniel Stackhouse
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 95×31
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Zoustar
- Dam: Bryony
7. Jimmysstar (1)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Damian Lane
- W: 53kg
- F: 211×7
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Per Incanto (USA)
- Dam: Anniesstar (NZ)
8. Kimochi (15)
- T: Gary Portelli
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 52.5kg
- F: 7441x
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Brave Smash (JPN)
- Dam: Summer Fun
9. Buffalo River (12)
- T: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson
- J: Celine Gaudray
- W: 52kg
- F: 20509
- Age: 9YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Noble Mission (GB)
- Dam: Fashion Insider (USA)
10. Charm Stone (3)
- T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: 37×51
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: I Am Invincible
- Dam: Najoom
11. Chrysaor (7)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 52kg
- F: 001×6
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Better Than Ready
- Dam: New Wings
12. Roll On High (10)
- T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman
- J: Carleen Hefel
- W: 52kg
- F: 6×501
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Shamus Award
- Dam: All Highs On Me
13. Run Harry Run (2)
- T: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson
- J: Patrick Moloney
- W: 52kg
- F: 343×0
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Written Tycoon
- Dam: Maybe Markle
14. Steparty (8)
- T: Paul Preusker
- J: Daniel Moor
- W: 52kg
- F: 368×0
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Artie Schiller (USA)
- Dam: Watch Your Step
15. War Machine (4)
- T: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson
- J: Declan Bates
- W: 52kg
- F: 832×1
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Harry Angel (IRE)
- Dam: Caserta