Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

Named after long-time Victorian Amateur Turf Club chairman Sir Rupert Clarke, the Group 1 race is one of Caulfield’s premier races.

Typically held in late September, the Sir Rupert Clarke was first raced as the Invitation Cup in 1951 and has had various name changes in its close to 70 year history.

Gaining Group 1 status in 1980, the honour roll of the race is a veritable who’s who of Australian thoroughbred champions.

2020 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Betting Odds

The upcoming 2020 version of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is set to be one of the most intriguing races throughout the Spring in Melbourne. This year’s race sees the emerging Western Australian superstar Showmanship a $3.30 market elect, with Memsie Stakes winner Behemoth on the second line of betting at $6. Last year’s winner Begood Toya Market is a $17 chance in all-in markets. With the race known to be run at high tempo it looks set up perfectly for Showmanship and William Pike.

George Main Stakes Bookmakers

Betting on the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

Like all Group 1 races in Australia, bookmakers will have odds out weeks in advance for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. These will be ‘all-in’ fixed markets, meaning if you know a horse is targeting this race you should be able to secure some juicy odds.

Previously, the winner of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has had its final lead-up in the now Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality four times, which is usually held around a month before. However this year the Bobbie Lewis was held the week before where Dollar For Dollar seems the only galloper to back up in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Other races’ winners who have then gone on to win the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes include the Group 2 Lets Elope Stakes and the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, which have both provided two winners. This year’s winners Pretty Brazen and Behemoth both look set to be major players in this years version.

The race has traditionally suited four year olds and up, with only Exceed and Excel in 2003 and Testa Rossa in 1999 winning it as a three year old.

Another important factor to consider when wagering on the Rupert Clarke Stakes is what barrier the horse is in. History tells us that if a horse is drawn wide it will need luck over the first 250m. With the last four winners coming from barrier six and below.

With the race a handicap it almost guarantees a cracking tempo and gives the back markers a chance, but it has never been a race for favourites with just three winners in the last 14 years being the punters’ elect.

Best Sir Rupert Clarke Bookmakers

The Sir Rupert Clarke is a fantastic betting race and the bookmakers come out in force ahead of the Group 1.

Click on any of the banners below to read our comprehensive reviews on the bookmakers we trust.

Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes history

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has an exceptionally rich history and has had some champion horses with the likes of Santa Ana Lane, Rebel Dane, Exceed And Excel and Testa Rossa all tasting success in the race.

Lee Freedman has been a strong supporter of the race having saddled up 30 runners, for four winners, a second and a third. Other successful trainers with multiple wins in the race include Rick Hore-Lacy, Darren Weir and Ray Lawson.

The first running of the race was taken out by Jovial Lad over seven Furlongs, with the distance being changed to 1400m in 1972. It became a group 1 race in 1979.

Over the years it has been known as the Invitation Stakes, Marlboro Cup, Victoria Health Cup and the Eat Will Live Well Cup.

2019 Sir Rupert Clarke result

Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – recent runnings

• 2019: Begood Toya Mother hands Bowman his first Group 1 in the Rupert Clarke
  The Daniel Bowman trained galloper was a dominant winner of the 2019 Sir Rupert Clarke where he jumped favourite and was able to take over the running at the top of the straight after Iconoclasm set a dashing tempo, leaving the favourite facing the breeze, but proving far too strong when it mattered most to keep Age of Chivalry and Widgee Turf at bay.
• 2018: Jungle Cat roars in the Rupert Clarke
  Home Of The Brave was the more favoured Godolphin runner heading into the 2018 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes but it was Jungle Cat that delivered the goods in the feature. Coming into the final stages it looked like Jungle Cat was about to be swamped by Land Of Plenty but Jungle Cat clawed to victory in stunning fashion.
• 2017: Santa Ana Lane defies long odds
  The market has had a habit of sleeping on Santa Ana Lane over the journey and once again the gelding defied the odds to salute in a big race. After settling towards the back of the field and needed plenty of luck coming into the latter stages of the race but Santa Ana Lane surged to the front to topple Mr Sneaky and So Si Bon.
• 2016: Bon Aurum hands Maher another G1 win
  Bon Aurum helped trainer Ciaron Maher to his seventh Group 1 win, with an outstanding ride from Kerrin McEvoy. McEvoy was incredibly patient and expertly guided Bon Aurum into the wall of horses challenging, before unleashing on the straight. Voodoo Lad ($6( flashed home for second, while Fast ‘n’ Rocking ($21) overcame a difficult run to finish third. Favourite Counterattack finished sixth. Read the full report.
• 2015: Stratum Star storms from the sky to succeed
  Stratum Star came from the clouds to win this edition. With Disposition and Under the Louvre looking the chances, Stratum Star burst through two runners to score a breakthrough victory. Stratum Star was trained by Darren Weir, with champion jockey Craig Williams in the saddle.
• 2014: In Weir and Lane we Trust
  Trust in a Gust gave jockey Damian Lane his first group 1 victory. Trained by Darren Weir, Trust in a Gust won an intriguing race from Dissident who looked a likely winner at one point, but Lane’s horse’s head was in front when it counted.
• 2013: Portelli and Boss steer Rebel Dane to maiden G1 win
  Rebel Dane, with Glen Boss aboard, proved too strong to win by a half head from Fontelina and Solzhenitsyn. Trained by Gary Portelli, Rebel Dane got a monkey of its back of sorts, after finally winning a group 1 after almost beating Pierro the season before.

Previous Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winners