Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 2026 Betting Odds - Ninja & Sass Appeal Share Top Billing
The 2026 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, a Group 1 handicap over 1400m at Caulfield, is set for September 19. Early betting sees Ninja and Sass Appeal as joint favorites at $8, with unbeaten Well Written close behind. Recent form lines suggest both Ninja and Sass Appeal are primed for a big spring, while other notable chances include Angel Capital and Sixties. The race, restored to its traditional calendar slot, remains a highlight for emerging gallopers, with recent winners like Magic Time, Kimochi, and Sepals reinforcing its competitive nature.
- Ninja & Sass Appeal are joint favorites at $8 for the 2026 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
- Well Written, unbeaten in New Zealand, sits close in betting at $8.50
- The 1400m Group 1 has recent winners like Magic Time and Sepals
Sepals winning the 2025 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. (Getty)
The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is a Group 1 handicap run over 1400m at Caulfield, with the 2026 edition to be contested on Saturday, September 19.
Ninja and Sass Appeal share favouritism at $8 with Unibet Australia in an open early market.
Ninja strengthened his spring credentials with an impressive first-up victory in the Group 2 Missile Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, August 8, defeating Napoleonic with Angel Capital back in third.
The Michael Freedman-trained galloper had won the Hobartville Stakes over 1400m during his previous campaign before finishing fifth-of-nine in the Randwick Guineas, and his Missile Stakes return suggests he has come back in excellent order.
Sass Appeal has also returned a winner, taking her record to five victories from six starts when successful first-up over 1410m at Flemington on August 1.
Danny O'Brien has identified the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes as a major spring target for the progressive mare, who is expected to have her next start over 1400m at Caulfield on Memsie Stakes Day before heading into the Group 1 handicap three weeks later.
Unbeaten New Zealand mare Well Written occupies the next line of betting at $8.50 after winning all six starts during her three-year-old season, including the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, Auckland Guineas, Karaka Millions 3YO and NZB Kiwi.
The Stephen Marsh-trained mare is currently expected to resume in the Group 1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie on September 5 before connections consider an Australian campaign.
Sixties and Angel Capital are both rated $9 chances.
Angel Capital returned in the Missile Stakes on August 8 and, after being slow away and striking trouble during the race, worked home strongly to finish third behind Ninja, with the Memsie Stakes now among the options for his next appearance.
Sixties brings proven Group 1 handicap form into the new season after progressing through the Australian Guineas and Queensland winter carnival during his three-year-old campaign, with the 1400m Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes shaping as another suitable target for the Chris Waller-trained galloper.
Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes 2026 Betting Odds
| Runner | Win Odds |
|---|---|
| Ninja | $8.00 |
| Sass Appeal | $8.00 |
| Well Written | $8.50 |
| Sixties | $9.00 |
| Angel Capital | $9.00 |
| War Machine | $10.00 |
| Lady Shenandoah | $11.00 |
| Sabaj | $11.00 |
| Skyhook | $12.00 |
| Idle Flyer | $14.00 |
| Headley Grange | $14.00 |
| Treasurethe Moment | $15.00 |
| Beiwacht | $15.00 |
| Pericles | $15.00 |
| Napoleonic | $15.00 |
| Planet Red | $15.00 |
| Regal Award | $16.00 |
| Oliveanotherday | $17.00 |
| Splash Back | $21.00 |
| Ceolwulf | $23.00 |
| Desert Lightning | $23.00 |
| Others | $26.00+ |
Odds from Unibet Australia & correct on 10/08/2026.
Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Winners
After a brief two-year stint at the back end of the spring carnival, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes returned to its traditional mid-September position on the Melbourne racing calendar in 2025.
The Group 1 handicap is contested over 1400m at Caulfield and has often provided a platform for emerging gallopers to establish themselves before progressing into weight-for-age company.
First run in 1951, the race has held Group 1 status since 1979 and has developed into one of the key handicap features of the Melbourne spring.
The most recent winners are Magic Time in 2023, Kimochi in 2024 and Sepals, who claimed the 2025 edition at Caulfield.
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