Sepals surges to Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes glory

[Wandering Eyes]

Sepals ridden by Craig Williams winning the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Sepals turned promise into pedigree-defining performance, controlling the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) to deliver a maiden Group 1 for himself and his late sire Calyx.

From a wide draw, Craig Williams rolled forward, sat second behind noted leader Zarastro, and had the race in his keeping before the bend, kicking clear to score decisively.

Miss Roumbini closed for second, with Australian Guineas winner Feroce grabbing third. Officially, the margin was three-quarters of a length in 1:21.39 on a Good 3.

The victory was steeped in milestones. It marked Williams’ eighth success in the historic spring handicap — a race record — and became trainer Cliff Brown’s sixth Group 1, his first since returning from Singapore.

For Calyx, who died in May, it was a breakthrough top-level winner from limited southern books, adding a poignant note to a high-class display.

Race shape and execution were everything. Williams had Sepals poised outside the speed from barrier 14 of 15, surged to the lead before straightening and never looked vulnerable, even as the closers launched late.

Favoured four-year-old Angel Capital found traffic and charged late into fourth, but the bird had flown.

The win advanced Sepals’ record to five wins from seven starts and lifted earnings to just over $900,000 — figures that now read like a springboard rather than a ceiling.

Brown, beaming post-race, praised his team and rider, noting the gelding “deserves the attention he gets” after a winter of careful management and a dominant Caulfield tune-up at the trip.

With Sepals thriving at 1400m and handling pressure on the speed, connections can map a weight-for-age path or aim at lucrative handicaps as horse racing bookmakers markets duly tightened for his next assignments.

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2025 Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – Sepals

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