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Always an exciting G1 is the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes run at Caulfield on Saturday.
Behemoth was in the middle of a great stretch last year. Could he do it again in the 2021 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday?
2021 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes: Nominations
2021 SIR RUPERT CLARKE STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is a Group 1 race run under handicap conditions for open class horses at Caulfield conducted by the Melbourne Racing Club.
The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is run over 1400m. It was first run in 1951 and was won by Jovial Lad.
The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes used to be known as the Invitation Stakes but has had numerous name changes until settling on the current name who was former chairman of the Victorian Amateur Turf Club.
It has been at 1400m since inception.
Previously run on Show Day Holiday which was a Thursday, it is now on feature weekends. After being on Underwood Stakes day recently, it is now run a week earlier.
The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was a Principal Race until graded at Group 1 in 1979.
St Joel won the race three times but all of them three years apart twice.
Only mare winner in the last decade is Response in 2010.
Three year olds had a great run 20 years ago but none since Exceed And Excel.
Santa Ana Lane recorded his initial G1 victory last year and backed it up later in the season in the Goodwood and Stradbroke Handicaps and then won the VRC Sprint Classic the following Spring.
Godolphin's international arm had a plan to bring some quality horses to campaign in Australia in 2018 and G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner Jungle Cat was in that team. He sat wide under a big weight but James Doyle got him home by a nose.
Memsie Stakes/Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes double – Behemoth (2020), Regal Roller (2004), Rancho Ruler (1988).
Many horses run in this race and then the Toorak Handicap over the mile.
The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was worth $1,000,000 in 2021.
Notable winners of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes include Behemoth (2020), Jungle Cat (2018), Santa Ana Lane (2017), Stratum Star (2015), Trust In A Gust (2014), Rebel Dane (2013), Moment Of Change (2012), Rewaaya (2006), Barely A Moment (2005), Exceed And Excel (2003), Testa Rossa (1999/2000), Encosta De Lago (1996), Our Maizcay (1995), Poetic King (1994), Mannerism (1992), St Jude (1991), Canny Lass (1986), Manikato (1978), Cap D'Antibes (1975) and St Joel (1953/1956/1959).
The 2020 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was won by Behemoth from Dollar For Dollar and Pretty Brazen.
