Sepals snares Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes to cap big day for Craig Williams

Williams offset a wide barrier with the 52kg afforded to Cliff Brown-trained Sepals in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and got the desired result about 40 minutes after the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (2000m) victory on Sir Delius.

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Favourite Angel Capital, held up almost the entire straight and a moral beaten, powered late to grab fourth behind plucky Miss Roumbini and Group 1 winner Feroce.

Williams nailed the ride on Sepals to snare his 85th Group 1 success and third elite win in a week after Mr Brightside completed a Makybe Diva Stakes hat-trick last Saturday.

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“I had the right horse presented by the horse’s trainer, Cliff Brown and all his staff,” Williams said.

“From an outside barrier this horse made effortless work of it and I could do what I wanted on him because he was very well-prepared and he’s a bloody good horse too.

“It’s hard to win Group 1s and he’s done it and that’s not it for this horse, he’s got more to come.

“He’s just got such a good action, he’s got a great motor and I was very fortunate to ride him today.”

Brown praised Williams’s steer on Saturday despite the “interesting” start.

“He came out (pre-race) and said I will just let him find his feet,” Brown said.

“That went out the window, but that’s what he does, and that’s why you put the best on.”

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Sepals could head to the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) next month but Brown had thoughts post-race for the Ciaron Maher stable and owners of ill-fated Chorlton Lane.

Chorlton Lane unfortunately sustained a severe leg injury and as a result had to be humanely euthanised by the on-course veterinarian.

Jockey Celine Gaudray, unseated as Chorlton Lane stumbled in the straight, thankfully walked back to scale.

Gaudray was taken to hospital as a precaution for observation.

“It’s awful what happened to the other horse,” Brown lamented.

“For those kids (strappers) and that stable it will be a hard night and my thoughts are with them.”

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HALF WAY THERE

Half Yours secured a golden ticket into the Caulfield Cup next month with victory in the qualifying Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

Half Yours, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, enjoyed a beautiful run behind the speed and burst clear in the straight for an emphatic win under jockey Jamie Melham.

“This horse is just push-button,” Melham said.

“The only instructions I got from Tony was just to try and be as close as possible and once I gave him a squeeze, he put himself there and when the gap came he took it without hesitation.

“He’s a very nice horse with a big, bright future I think… I couldn’t stop him just then.

“The further obviously the better, because he falls asleep, he relaxes in the run… looking forward to hopefully keeping the ride and stepping up over 2400 with him.”

Co-trainer Calvin McEvoy said Half Yours has the fitness to go straight to the Caulfield Cup without another run in between.

KING’S CUP DREAM

King Charles III and Queen Camilla woke to a Caulfield winner on Saturday as their Melbourne Cup hopeful Gilded Water charged to victory.

Gilded Water, trained by Ciaron Maher, won the 2000m Benchmark 84 by 2½ lengths under jockey Mark Zahra.

“The plan will be to try and sneak him into the Cup,” Maher said.

“Phenomenal to have a horse... race in these (Royal) colours, I know my mother would be tickled pink.

“I look forward to talking to them (Their Majesties).”

YUMMY RESULT FOR BELIEVERS … AND BOOKIES

Yum caused a boil over in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield for trainer John McArdle and jockey Jamie Mott.

The three-year-old Ghaiyyath filly, a $21 outsider, saved ground around the bend and swept into contention late to defeat Chateau Eze and Zany Girl.

The first four in transit, including tearaway leader The Playwright, unplaced favourite Vivid Sun and Cherish Me, were all out of petrol tickets in the straight and maybe not suited by a firm track.

“I thought she was over the odds. Five weeks between runs, we thought maybe she was a 10/1 shot but when they opened a 40/1 shot, we thought she was a little bit of overs,” McArdle said.

“I know a few boys have had something on her today and they’ll be happy going forward, I would have thought.”

Yum is being aimed at the Group 1 VRC Oaks.

Originally published as Sepals snares Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes to cap big day for Craig Williams