SIR Rupert Clarke Stakes Day will be remembered for three main aspects involving a jockey, a horse and the weather all jostling to provide the most memorable moment from the Caulfield meeting.
The jockey who stole the limelight was heavyweight jockey Jamie Mott who at the age of 34 won his first Group One race when he was successful on the Danny O’Brien trained Callsign Mav in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
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Mott who stands 181cm tall must work every day to keep his weight down. Somehow, he has managed to do so and as O’Brien pointed out he’s as good as any other jockey riding.
The win of the day was provided by the James Cummings trained Aft Cabin whose win coincided with an extraordinary downpour of rain and hail when he romped in with the Caulfield Guineas Preview.
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He’s now had two starts over 1400m for six lengths win and Saturday’s three and a half lengths win.
Aft Cabin is a $2.80 favourite for the Caulfield Guineas with TopSport.
Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace’s tough stayer Smokin’ Romans gained a start in the Caulfield Cup by winning the Naturalism Stakes.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
CONSTANTINOPLE
Finished off in great fashion from last to finish fourth in the opening race over 2000m. He’s been rejuvenated by a stint as a jumper. He’s bursting to win a race over 2400m.
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KIN
Little doubt she should have won the 3yo filly’s event. She went to the line hard held as she was blocked for a run the entire straight. RV stewards said she was held up between the 500 metres until the 200m when she obtained a tight run then she was checked at the 100m mark.
Their final line that Kin went to the line not fully tested summed it all up.
AMENABLE/SIR BAILEY
This pair was highlighted in this column recently after their first-up run and again after their second-up effort on Saturday when they again finished alongside of each other with Amenable again beating Sir Bailey in by one spot, with this time the pair finishing third and fourth. Extra distance will suit them both.
GOLD TRIP
Highly rated import who travelled like the winner in the MRC Foundation but died slightly on his run in the concluding stages to finish third behind Smokin’ Romans and Uncle Bryn conceding those horses six kilos in weight. He’ll be ready for his next start.
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TUVALU
Looked home in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes but was grabbed close to the line in a great effort to finish third. All the other horses who went forward tired. He led until Buffalo River put the pedal down at the halfway mark of the race. He’ll be a leading chance in the Toorak Handicap.
