Rating the best of the three Maher runners in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes

Ciaron Maher Racing has the top three runners in the market for the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on Saturday.

The final Victorian G1 of 2024 is run over 1400m at Caulfield and the Maher stable has a monopoly on the field with Jimmysstar, Another Wil and Southport Tycoon the highly-fancied runners.

Assistant manager Jack Turnbull has ranked the stable’s chances, saying he prefers Another Wil from barrier 5 with Jamie Kah on board.

“You’d have to go with Wil from the draw,” Turnbull said on SENTrack’s Giddy Up.

“He’s probably drawn the best gate out of the three. He can dictate and choose what he wants to do from there because he’s got speed if we want to use it, or we could be second or third pair with a bit of cover if there is enough speed in the race.

“I think the market has nailed it. There is not a lot between them.”

Last-start winner Another Wil is the $3.30 second favourite with Sportsbet for the race.

Jimmysstar, who was beaten his stablemate at Flemington on Derby Day, is the $3.10 favourite for Damian Lane, but has drawn a bit sticky in barrier 1.

“We like his chances but the gate is tricky enough. He will be have to be at his best from 1,” Turnbull added.

“You’ve either got to box seat to hold a spot or be in no-man’s land and midfield trying to get off the fence.

“With Jimmy, if he can get it right from 1 with Damian then hopefully we’re trifecta-ing it.”

Then there is Southport Tycoon, a two-time Group 1 winner, who could bob up at $10 if he gets some luck from the wide gate of 13 with Mark Zahra in the saddle.

“Similar to Southport when he won the Manikato, he could do anything. There’s a bit more doubt with Southport because of the gate,”

“He’s the classiest horse in the race, he’s a dual Group 1 winner at the mile and 1200m. He certainly can (win).

“There’s no reason to suggest he hasn’t kept form. He will have to navigate the draw, but thankfully we’ve got Mark to do that.”

With that trio the Maher stable has a very strong chance of landing yet another Group 1.

The other Maher runners at Caulfield on Saturday are: Goldenstatewarrior (Race 1), Pharari (Race 5), Cora Lynn (Race 6), Another Prophet (Race 7), Charterhouse (Race 8) and Extratwo (Race 10).

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