Preview – Gr 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

May finally be ready to fire. is 3rd up. This time last year he won the $1million Hunter and is close to a win, drawn perfectly too. Bound to settle about 6th on the fence and he is Ollie’s last ever Gr 1 ride so there will be a lot of sentiment pushing him on. Big show.

Top class and very fast mare but where does she get to from this gate? Too many super fast types so she wont go and attack early and probably gets trapped deep here which will hurt her chances as she is suspect at this journey. If, however, Blake can get her a great spot say 4th with cover she is a player because she is in career best form. Chased home Imperatriz last start at Gr 1 level when a closing 2nd.

Sydneysider who looks ideally placed. Sat 3-deep all the way yet still found the line hard when 4th in the $10million Golden Eagle in good time last start. By contrast, will receive a glorious run here and is in career best form. Will be hard to beat.

Another Sydney horse with a huge chance. The draw makes it so for him as he sits about 3rd, on the fence smoking his pipe. Ran a terrific 2nd last start, beaten a head in good lead up in good time by Cause For Concern and meets him 2kg better. Big danger

Terrific NZ mare who is a Gr 1 winner there. Came with powerful burst to win 1400m Gr 3 last start against mares in slow time. This is harder and the draw is a worry but she is tough and can finish hard.

Looks the one to beat. Is 3rd up here over a trip he has never been beaten at and coming off two very impressive lead up runs. In a race suited only to the leader, he sat back last yet rallied late when 4th in Gr 1 behind Imperatriz last start. She would be a $1.20 chance here. He’s drawn perfectly to be about 6th with cover and is now super fit. Big finisher.

Won here this journey in slowish time the stepped up a level when beaten just over a length by Cause For Concern last start at Gr 2 level this trip. Was making good ground late that day. Drawn well but will have a lot of traffic to deal with once he straightens. place at best.

Former really good type at this level but may have lost a bit of his zip now that he’s turned 8. Drawn well and will save ground but will also be cluttered up as they turn and that presents difficulties.

Will make this race interesting because he is a natural born leader. So from this horror draw, he jumps out and goes extremely hard early. There are a couple of other natural leaders too so you just now this is going to be a truly run race. Led all the way in impressive win last start this trip. If he leads without pressure, he’s a player.

Interesting runner. Is 3rd up here and although she hasn’t won a race in a long while, she has talent. Was 6th in the Gr 1 Stradbroke last prep and if she finds a spot with cover she can come home. Is very fit now.

What a pity she has drawn so badly. I would have been all over her if she was drawn in closer. Can run time this trip, last start beaten a head when 3rd in very fast 1400m time at Randwick behind Espiona. Weighted to win but does need to find a spot with cover.

No surprise to see him swamp these. Will have to go back from the start and I think he races better when allowed to settle. Traffic in front of him as they turn is a worry but he has the talent to win this. Is 2nd up, boasts strong 2nd up stats and will run on hard.

Weighted to win and is in great form. Narrow but solid winner in fast time last start beating Bandersnatch and Munhamek in the Gr 2 Damien Oliver this trip last start. Drawn well enough and warrants respect.

Sat just behind the speed when a solid winner down the straight last start at stakes level. Never raced this trip but runs well this track. Bad draw is a major worry though.

is pretty honest and in form right now, which, when combined with his great gate makes him a lightweight hope. Goes good this trip and has won here. Last start was a strong finishing 2nd over 1200m at Flemington in Gr 3. Place show.

Another speed horse. She will go hard early and because she has drawn inside Buffalo River she probably gets to the fence before him. His presence probably brings her unstuck as she likes to lead without pressure. If somehow she gets that she can take catching.

Won at Flemington in June but form has badly fallen away since then and this should test.

Comes in Ok here and if he gets a run he is not the roughest. Is honest and can run the trip so with his light weight he will be thereabouts.