The biggest news of the day for the Rupert Clarke Stakes was undoubtedly that Glen Boss would no longer be able to pick up the ride of Smart Missile.

Boss was injured in track work this morning when former Golden Slipper champion Crystal Lily died suddenly.

Brett Prebble has picked up the mount and he’ll fly in from Hong Kong specifically for the ride.

S you can imagine this has caused plenty of movement in Smart Missile at Luxbet, specifically because he is the favourite.

The wide barrier didn’t seem to phaze punters early on and he opened at a quote of $3.30.

With this morning’s news though things went northward, first to $3.40, then $3.50 and now a $3.60 fixed price.

Surprisingly though Woorim hasn’t come in as a result, he sits steadily on $4.80.

They are the only two horses on a single figure quote and it’s almost a blanket over the rest.

Torak Toff is the one that has been supported though, he’s in from a $17 open to just $10 now.

Behind him Blackie is $12 into $11 and Dreamaway is $12 out to $14.

Going through some of the others nearby you’ll find Testascana at $13, Luen Yat Forever at $15 and Dao Dao, Pinnacles locked at $19.

Another huge mover though is Master Of Design, it’s also into $19 after opening at $26.

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Just about all of them have already had their first up runs though so at this stage of the carnival we should be able to start following a few form lines into the races.

This is especially the case at Group 1 level and these horses are here because they’ve earned their spots through solid race results.

For some they may be recent and for others they may be in seasons past but the fact remains in a Group 1 event every runner should be capable of something special.

In the 2011 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes though we’ve narrowed the list down to seven runners which we think pose the biggest threat.

In a 1400m Group 1 contest at Caulfield we feel that recent form is the best form and momentum is a vital attribute to the spring carnival.

So check out our 2011 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Form Guide below and see if you can pick yourself out a winner.

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2011 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Form Guide

Pinwheel

This Snowden runner has been up for longer than any of them after running right the way through the Brisbane winter carnival and heading straight back to Sydney and Melbourne. That being said he’s in fantastic form and a more consistent horse you’d struggle to find. This company is the next level though and he’ll need something special, especially with a 58kg top weight.

Woorim

This classy Queenslander has already run once in Melbourne this spring and if that was anything to go by he’s in for one hell of a campaign. He looked good all winter carnival and jagged two black type wins and was unlucky in the Stradbroke. From gate five he’ll find a spot and you’ll know about him late.

Silver Grecian

This is our first look at the European import who has come via Hong Kong on his way to Australia. Reports out of the Moore camp are all good about his prospects but the fact is we simply won’t know until we see him. They say to forget about his last runs and focus on what he showed in Europe, interesting runner and a real danger.

Testascana

Trained by Moody so there’s no doubts about the lead up and given it comes in with a four in a row winning streak it’s pretty hard to argue with. Sure it’s a step up in class but that’s the same for all horses going to a group 1, the killer here though is gate 16, Luke Nolen needs to weave some magic.

Blackie

This is a really good horse, a Group 1 horse yet though is the question. He won three in a row last prep and the crucial thing was they were all different. Some by big margins in commanding fashion and another by a whisker after a tough battle. That shows this horse has the talent and coming in off a first up second he’s ready to go.

Master Of Design

Won last start and won first up as well so this David Payne runner knows how to find the line. There’s been a big push for this horse of late and with just 53.5kgs it seems well suited here. Damien Oliver will take the ride but form barrier 10 it’s crucial he doesn’t get himself caught up in any trouble as he crosses.

Smart Missile

We don’t need to talk up the quality of this horse because jockey Glen boss does that for us. If you believe him he’s the best horse in the race and in reality few would argue. As always with this horse in Group 1 races though there is a problem, this time gate 17. Boss doesn’t seem too concerned and history shows us outside gates aren’t the death nail in this event, however it certainly doesn’t help him.

These are the top seven horses we think will be battling it out in the 2011 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and the ones we implore you to take a closer look at.

Jump onto Luxbet now and have a look at their odds, we guarantee you’ll find heaps of value about a few of these and if you back them they’ll certainly give you a sight over the final 400m.

Check it out now at Luxbet!

Still though with 17 quality horses in the race it’s bound to be a top quality contest, especially given just about all of them should be approaching their peak form.

The biggest thing to come out of today’s final field announcement wasn’t who was in it though, it was what barriers they’ve been allocated.

That’s where the story of the day comes with the Anthony Cummings trained Smart Missile slugged with gate 17, another cruel blow for this hugely unlucky horse.

Sure he’s won three of four starts but when it comes to Group 1′s he appears to be cursed.

First off it was the Golden Slipper, he loomed as a top winning threat before being scratched at the gates in a controversial manner.

Fats forward to last start and he jumped in the Golden Rose but copped plenty of attention back in the running despite it being only a six horse race, then he veered wide and cost himself a win down the straight.

This time he jumps to open company at Group 1 level and with gate 17 Cummings must just about be thinking his horse is cursed.

It’s very different for Robert Heathcote, his charger Woorim came up with barrier five and should be able to find a sweet spot in the middle of the pack.

He’s coming off a first up win at Moonee Valley and looms as the one to beat again here.

In terms of the other main chances Pinwheel got gate eight, Testacana 16, Master Of Design 10, Yosei 2, Toorak Toff 7 and Pinnacles in 6.

Marks on the 2011 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes are just about open at Luxbet and if you’re looking for value about Smart missile this may be the best you’ll ever get.

His first trip to open grade and from the outside barrier it’ll take a minor miracle from Glen Boss but if the horse is as good as he says he is then that just might happen.

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2011 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

While there’s quality littered throughout the field there’s no doubt the star nominee belongs to Anthony Cummings and his colt Smart Missile.

After being scratched at the stalls for the Group 1 Golden Slipper and after not finding a lot of luck in the Group 1 Golden Rose, many feel this horse is due to earn his maiden Group 1 victory.

It will be his first ever trip to Melbourne but reports are all good out of the early training camp that he’s taken to the track well and should have no issues running in the reverse direction.

The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is a 1400m contest, is worth $350,000 and provides plenty of momentum for the rest of the spring carnival.

It will be Smart Missile’s first assignment against older horses with some top rung performers among the list.

The likes of Pinwheel, Dao Dao, Toorak Toff, Yosei, Parables and Gathering will all make life very tough for him should they choose to accept.

That’s not even mentioning last start winner Woorim which Cummings rates as his main threat come this Saturday.

The only thing we know for sure is that the race is going to be a cracker and it’s certainly one you’ll want to follow with online bookmaker Luxbet.

They’ll have a full market released for the 2011 Sir Rupert Clarke stakes in the coming days and you can guarantee the place you’ll find the best odds is always and will always remain easy to find at Luxbet!

2011 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Nominations

Heathcote has two star performers at his disposal over the spring, both Woorim and Buffering having proven they can mix it with the best at Group 1 level.

For the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes though it will be left to Woorim to get the job done, Heathcote feeling he’s better suited to run out the 1400m.

Woorim has been back in training for around a month with a couple of weeks still to go until he’s back to race fitness.

He’ll run first up at Doomben in a 1000m race on August 27.

Following that he’ll join Buffering on a flight in the first week of September to get done to Heathcote’s Flemington base.

Buffering will have his first up run once in Melbourne when he contests the Group 2 Ian McEwen Trophy on September 10th.

Woorim will have a bit of a break before he has a shot at winning his first Group 1 when the Sir Rupert Clarke stakes jumps on September 24.

“Woorim will have his first start here on August 27 then will fly to Melbourne with Buffering,” Heathcote said.

“His second run will be in the Sir Rupert Clarke, the same race he finished third behind Response last year.”

Heathcote says both horses have done extremely well during their spell and he’s confident of making his mark in Melbourne over the spring.

“I’ve been given approval to stable my team at Flemington and there’ll be a few others go down to join them later on,” Heathcote said.

“Buffering has been in work for three weeks. He had four weeks in the paddock after the winter and he’s done brilliantly.

“Unfortunately, I probably won’t have enough time to give him a barrier trial here before he goes away.”

Buffering will also have his chance at Group 1 glory however 1400m is probably a bit beyond him, that means he’ll contest the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley instead.

“I’m not sure what he’ll run in after the Manikato Stakes,” Heathcote said.

“But I’ll be avoiding Black Caviar at all costs right throughout the spring.”

Both horses bring a good deal of momentum with them into the Melbourne spring with solid results during the Brisbane winter carnival.

Buffering won the Group 2 Victory Stakes before clashing with the superstars of Black Caviar and Hay List in the BTC Cup and finishing in third.

His campaign then looked shot next start when he came home last to Beaded in the Doomben 10,000.

To his credit though he rallied and two fourth placings in the Stradbroke Handicap and the Healy Stakes leave him in good stead for a solid spring.

Woorim meanwhile could be a real force in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes if he shows his best form.

His win in the BRC Sprint was one of the best of the carnival when he flew home in the final 200m to steal an unbelievable victory.

He couldn’t repeat the performance when finishing seventh in the Stradbroke but his next start on the Sunshine Coast saw him back to his best as he demolished the Listed Glasshouse Handicap field.

Damian Browne is tipped to continue his prosperous association with the Heathcote stable and will partner both Buffering and Woorim across the Melbourne carnival.

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A huge betting plunge moments before the markets closed on Saturday saw Response shorten in from $6.50 into $4.80.

Then, four-year-old Charge Forward mare Response, co-trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra at Flemington, did just that – charged forward within the first 50 metres.

We tipped Response as a horse that could win at juicy odds in our race preview & punters that followed our advice were well rewarded!

It was a tactical and professional decision by champion hoop Craig Williams, as Response held on to defeat No Evidence Needed ($13) by a long neck with Woorim ($17) a gallant third just a short half-head further back.

Connections have named the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) on Victoria Derby Day Saturday October 30 as the primary spring goal for Response.

Punters that read our Race Preview tipping No Evidence Needed and Response as mares that could cause an upset at juicy odds through Sportsbet were rewarded as the $3.30 favourite, Doubtful Jack finished sixth.

For the hottest odds on the upcoming spring carnival features don’t forget to head to SportsBet today and open an account, you will get a free $300 bet right away to kick start a top season!

2010 Patinack Farm Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Results

Seventeen quality gallopers make up the 2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes final field this year, with the Peter Moody-trained Doubtful Jack set to start as the hot favourite.

Seeking their fifth consecutive win on Saturday, the four-year-old Not A Single Doubt gelding is in top form but has drawn wide with barrier 10.

Sportsbet are currently paying $2.70 for Doubtful Jack to win following his emphatic success in the Bobbie Lewis Quality last start, but for punters seeking more value there are a number of other horses that could cause an upset.

Following in the odds are light-weighted mares Response and Sister Madly paying $6 and $8.50 respectively.

No Evidence Needed, Response & Sister Madly are three mares that could cause an upset at juicy odds through SportsBet

Response is set to jump from barrier five with Craig Williams aboard and has enjoyed two promising spring stars finishing second in both the Cockram Stakes and the Let’s Elope Stakes, while the Anthony Cummings-trained Sister Madly ran a gallant third to More Joyous in the Sheraco Stakes last start.

The only Group 1 winner in the Sir Rupert Clark Stakes field is Kidnapped, the Peter Snowden-trained gelding having their first-up start since taking out the SA Derby back in May.

Kidnapped has all but been forgotten by the punters, quoted at $31 through Sportsbet.

Other last start winners looking to back up on Saturday include $61 longshot Gathering in barrier three likely to set the pace, and Let’s Elope Stakes champion No Evidence Needed paying generously at $10 and drawn well with gate six.

Saturday will be a bumper day of racing for punters and fans at Caulfield as the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) is also set to take place with So You Think the hot favourite.

If you are after the best value odds and largest range of betting options for the 2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, set to jump at 2:00pm on Saturday, then forget the TAB and get in on the action at SportsBet today!

2010 Patinack Farm Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Final Field, Barriers & Odds

*Odds provided by SportsBet & correct at time of publication

The 2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has attracted 20 nominations including a number of top spring hopefuls worth checking out the odds on such as Peter Moody’s Doubtful Jack.

In-form four-year-old Doubtful Jack is coming off four successive wins including the gelding’s last start victory in the Bobbie Lewis Quality at Flemington.

Their impressive recent success has seen Doubtful Jack allocated a hefty 58kg in the Sir Rupert Clarke as they head towards later spring features including the 2010 Cox Plate and 2010 Melbourne Cup.

The other nominees allocated the top weight of 58kg are 2009 Emirates Stakes winner Gold Salute, six-year-old Rightfully Yours and La Rocket.

Only one other horse in metric history has carried 58kg to victory in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Other top chances among the 2010 Sir Rupert Clarks Stakes entries include SA Derby victor Kidnapped having their first-up spring start, Eagle Farm Cup runner-up Raffaello, the Rick Hore-Lacy-trained Pinnacles who had a luckless run in the race 12 months ago to finish eighth, Let’s Elope Stakes winning mare No Evidence Needed and runner-up Response.

There are five other Group race features highlighting the Caulfield race card on Saturday including the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) featuring a star studded field including 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking along with 2009 Cox Plate champion So You Think.

Other exciting events are the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) where Toorak Toff heads the nominations and the Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) to be contested by the best three-year-old fillies of the season.

Meanwhile, the action of the Sydney Spring Carnival also continues this Saturday as Rosehill hosts a quality day of racing headlined by four Group 2 events.

For the hottest betting markets and best odds on all of these weekend races jump online and sign up at SportsBet today and receive a free $300 bet!

2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Nominations & Weights

Scheduled to take place at Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse on September 18, the Underwood Stakes Day marks the start of the Group One racing season – with two thrillers lined up.

While the $350,000 group One Underwood Stakes (1800m) headlines the day’s action, the $350,000 Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) is another feature.

The 2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes will run under open handicap conditions, and looks set to be the first-up Group run for the Chris Waller-trained Stryker.

The son of Fastnet Rock ran a 1200 metre event at Warwick Farm over the weekend to mark his return to spring action, and finished fourth with a gallant sprint.

Another potential star to take to Caulfield for the 2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is Mark Riley’s Gold Salute.

The Testa Rossa gelding ran third in the 2009 Emirates Stakes, and embarked on his spring campaign with a solid first up run at Moonee Valley over the weekend.

The 2010 Rupert Clark Stakes will be a good race to watch for punters keen to get in on the action this spring. It is the perfect lead up race to the $350,000 Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) on October 9.

So make sure you get along to SportsBet and sign up. Then you know you will be getting the best odds when it comes to betting on the 2010 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.